Ensure the right work is being done at the right time.

A manager must consistently facilitate the project and regulate the degree of emphasis directed to openness, technical work and acceptance work according to the project stage. The diagram above shows the ebb and flow of focus for each of the four components of the success formula.  It shows a high focus on acceptance work at the beginning of a project as this is when the team need to be engaged. Then the openness work ramps up as it inspires the team with new insights and motivation. This leads to a strong focus on ideation which drives the technical work which has increased focus throughout the middle stages. Towards the end, the focus must shift back to acceptance to ensure strong ownership and acceptance of the outcomes. The effort directed to facilitation work remains constant throughout the project because it binds openness, technical work and acceptance work together. Shifting focus to apply the right mix helps ensure collaboration and project success.