If you want to know how to create your own V2MOM or one for your company, just answer these questions:
- Vision: What do you want to do? Limit the vision to 1-2 sentences. Make it active, aspirational and easy to understand. Embed the values to keep you on track.
- Values: What's important about that vision? What are the 2-4 values in prioritized order, that when things get tough, help you to make hard choices.
- Methods: What are the "handful" of prioritized actions you need to do to achieve the vision? I recommend no less than 4 and no more than 10 methods; what you can tackle in a year. Prioritize your methods. Add an owner to each method.
- Obstacles: What are the things standing in your way of achieving the vision? In essence, there are usually only three categories of obstacles: time, money and resources. But if you're specific, it will help you figure out what needs to be overcome.
- Measures: How will you measure success or progress towards that vision? I would recommend at least 1 but no more than 3 metrics or measures per method.
Here are some simple (and non-exhaustive) best practices:
- Write it down. If it's just in your head and you don't write it down, you don't hold yourself accountable.
- Once you've drafted it, share it with your team, your peers or loved ones to get their feedback.
- Typically, a V2MOM is written as an annual plan or what you can accomplish in a year.
- Realize that a V2MOM is a living and breathing document. It may adjust overtime based on internal or external circumstances and that is largely OK.
- Operationally, you should visit and review progress to your V2MOM on a weekly basis.
- V2MOMs are as much about what you commit to doing, as what you accept not to do or to de-prioritize.
- Have fun and try to be aspirational. It will make you feel better and it can serve to inspire others.