The Design Organize Execute and Sustain (DOES) Cycle

The Design, Organize, Execute, and Sustain (DOES) framework is a contemporary approach designed by Jose J Ruiz for continuous improvement that can help organizations to achieve greater efficiency, productivity, and profitability. The framework builds on the principles of the Plan Do Check Act (PDCA) cycle but offers a more comprehensive and strategic approach better suited to modern business environments. In this article, we will explore the DOES framework in depth, discussing its key principles, benefits, and best practices for implementation.

The DOES framework consists of four stages: Design, Organize, Execute, and Sustain. Each stage represents a critical step in the continuous improvement process, and all four stages must be executed effectively to achieve sustainable improvements in organizational performance.

The Design stage is the first stage of the DOES framework. In this stage, an organization defines its strategic goals and objectives and develops a plan of action to achieve them. This plan should be based on a clear understanding of the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, and internal and external environment.

Organizations must begin by identifying their strategic goals and objectives to design a comprehensive plan effectively. This involves evaluating the current state of the organization and identifying areas where improvements can be made. Once the strategic goals and objectives have been identified, organizations can begin to develop a plan of action to achieve them.

The plan should be based on thoroughly analyzing the organization’s internal and external environment. This may involve conducting a SWOT analysis, analyzing market trends and customer needs, and evaluating the organization’s competitive position. The plan should also be based on clearly understanding the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Once the plan has been developed, it should be communicated clearly to all organizational stakeholders. This includes employees, managers, executives, and any external partners or stakeholders who may be involved in the plan’s implementation.

The Organize stage is the second stage of the DOES framework. In this stage, an organization structures its resources and processes to support the execution of the plan. This may involve creating new teams, re-organizing existing departments, or acquiring new resources to support the plan.

To effectively organize resources, organizations must begin by identifying the resources required to achieve the strategic goals and objectives outlined in the plan. This may involve conducting a gap analysis to identify areas where resources are lacking or developing a staffing plan to ensure that the organization has the right people in the right roles to support the plan.

Once the necessary resources have been identified, organizations must develop processes and procedures to ensure that these resources are effectively utilized. This may involve developing new processes and procedures or modifying existing ones to ensure that they align with the strategic goals and objectives of the organization.

Finally, organizations must ensure that they have the necessary infrastructure to support the execution of the plan. This may involve investing in new technology, upgrading existing technology, or developing new systems to support the execution of the plan.

The Execute stage is the third stage of the DOES framework. In this stage, an organization implements the plan and carries out the actions outlined in the plan. This may involve launching new products or services, improving operational efficiency, or entering new markets.

Organizations must ensure they have the necessary resources and infrastructure to execute the plan effectively. This may involve providing training and development opportunities to employees or hiring external consultants to provide specialized expertise in areas such as marketing, finance, or technology.

Once the plan has been executed, organizations must evaluate the results and make adjustments as necessary to ensure that the improvements are sustainable over the long term. This involves establishing performance metrics, monitoring progress, and continuously improving processes and procedures to maintain achieved gains.

The Sustain stage is the fourth and final stage of the DOES framework. In this stage, the organization

evaluates the results of the actions taken in the Execute stage. It makes adjustments as necessary to ensure that the improvements are sustainable over the long term. This involves establishing performance metrics, monitoring progress, and continuously improving processes and procedures to maintain achieved gains.

To effectively sustain the improvements achieved through the DOES framework, organizations must establish clear performance metrics that align with the strategic goals and objectives outlined in the plan. These metrics should be regularly monitored to ensure progress is being made, and any issues or discrepancies should be addressed promptly.

In addition, organizations must continually evaluate and refine their processes and procedures to ensure that they remain aligned with the strategic goals and objectives of the organization. This may involve conducting regular audits, gathering feedback from employees and customers, and implementing best practices from other organizations in the industry.

Finally, organizations must establish a culture of continuous improvement that encourages employees to share their ideas and suggestions for improvement. This can be achieved by providing regular training and development opportunities, recognizing and rewarding employees who contribute to the improvement process, and creating a supportive environment in which employees feel empowered to make suggestions and contribute to the improvement process.

The DOES framework offers a number of benefits to organizations that implement it effectively. These benefits include:

1. Strategic alignment: By developing a comprehensive plan that aligns with the organization’s strategic goals and objectives, organizations can ensure that their resources and processes focus on achieving those goals and objectives.
2. Agility: By organizing resources and processes to support the execution of the plan, organizations can be more responsive to changing market conditions and customer needs, which can improve their competitiveness and drive growth.
3. Sustainability: By continually evaluating and refining processes and procedures, organizations can ensure that the improvements achieved through the DOES framework are sustainable over the long term.
4. Employee engagement: By creating a culture of continuous improvement that encourages employee engagement and contribution, organizations can harness the collective intelligence of their workforce and achieve even greater gains through the DOES framework.

To implement the DOES framework effectively, organizations must follow a number of best practices. These include:

1. Leadership commitment: Senior leaders within the organization must be committed to the continuous improvement process and actively support the implementation of the DOES framework.
2. Cross-functional collaboration: Implementing the DOES framework requires input and collaboration from employees and stakeholders across the organization, including those from different departments and functions.
3. Data-driven decision-making: The DOES framework is based on a data-driven approach to problem-solving and decision-making. Organizations must ensure that they have robust data collection and analysis systems to support this approach.
4. Flexibility and adaptability: The DOES framework requires organizations to be flexible and adaptable in response to changing market conditions and customer needs. This may involve modifying the plan of action or refining processes and procedures to ensure that they remain aligned with the strategic goals and objectives of the organization.

In conclusion, the DOES framework is a powerful tool for organizational performance improvement that can help organizations to achieve greater efficiency, productivity, and profitability. By following a structured approach to strategic planning and execution and constantly evaluating and refining processes and procedures, organizations can identify opportunities for improvement and make incremental changes that lead to significant gains over time. To implement the DOES framework effectively, organizations must invest in the necessary resources and expertise, develop robust data collection and analysis systems, and create a culture of continuous improvement that encourages employee engagement and contribution. With the right approach and commitment, organizations can achieve sustainable improvements in organizational performance and drive long-term success.