Stepping out of your comfort zone, into where the magic happens.

It is human nature to want to stay in your comfort zone. As creatures of habit, we tend to gravitate towards what is familiar. Granted, some planners have superhuman powers, but deep down they too will run with patterns that feel comfortable, using key phrases like ‘but we’ve always done it this way’ or ‘this is standard procedure’. But are comfort zones holding your planners back?

In applying certain planning patterns repeatedly (and adhering to the wonders of “copy/paste”), planners not only save time, but also have the comfort in knowing that the plan has worked reasonably well in previous occasions. But we’ve all heard the cliché line: Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

The main problem with applying these planning patterns is that they might be a simplified version of reality. Or worse, may not reflect today’s reality as well as it did yesterday’s. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Is your plan a 100% match with your actual planning puzzle?
• Does your plan reflect business goals and KPI’s?
• Does your plan leave room for ad-hoc requests?
• Can your plan react to changes in availability?

If the answer to any of the above questions is a ‘no’, you might have to try to break away from current practices. With the right mindset and adequate system support, you will have the opportunity to re-evaluate your current plan, giving you the chance to let go of any pre-conceived notions. You may be surprised to find that there is a better/more optimal plan out there; one that not only aligns with your business strategy, but also provides opportunities for increased revenue and business growth.

So step outside your comfort zone and into where the magic happens. Experience the freedom and benefits of planning without unnecessary constraints or restrictions. Take the steps towards better resource utilization.

What’s your take on improving resource utilization? Let us know in your comment below or drop us a tweet @Quintiq.