LEADERSHIPWeeks to result

WIG Builder Tool

Build Wildly Important Goals

Problem it solves

ineffective leadership

Best for

Teams and organizations looking to achieve more by focusing on the wildly important goals

Not ideal for

Individuals or teams without a clear understanding of their goals and objectives

Overview

Why this framework exists

The WIG Builder Tool is a framework for building wildly important goals. It involves brainstorming ideas, ranking them in order of importance, and testing them against a checklist. The tool helps teams to focus on the most impactful things they can do to drive achievement of their overall goals.

Core principles

3 total
  1. Focus on the wildly important goals
  2. Use a structured approach to achieve goals
  3. Involve the team in the goal-setting process

Steps

3 steps
  1. Brainstorm Ideas
    Brainstorm ideas for the wildly important goal. Consider what the team can do to achieve the goal and what strengths and weaknesses they have.
    Pro tipUse a variety of techniques to generate ideas, such as mind mapping or brainstorming sessions
    WarningAvoid drifting into a general discussion of good things to do rather than things that will impact the goal
  2. Rank Ideas
    Rank the ideas in order of importance. Consider what will have the greatest impact on achieving the goal.
    Pro tipUse a criteria-based approach to evaluate the ideas
    WarningAvoid trying to do too many things at once
  3. Test Top Ideas
    Test the top ideas against a set of criteria. Consider whether the idea is predictive, influenceable, and measurable.
    Pro tipUse a checklist to evaluate the ideas
    WarningAvoid choosing ideas that are not within the team's control

Checklist

Saved in your browser

Examples

2 cases
Hospital Quality Improvement Team

A hospital quality improvement team used the WIG Builder Tool to develop a wildly important goal to decrease mortality rates. They brainstormed ideas, ranked them in order of importance, and tested them against a checklist. The team was able to achieve a significant reduction in mortality rates.

OutcomeThe team was able to achieve a significant reduction in mortality rates.
Shipping Company Dispatching Team

A shipping company dispatching team used the WIG Builder Tool to develop a wildly important goal to reduce trucking costs. They brainstormed ideas, ranked them in order of importance, and tested them against a checklist. The team was able to achieve a significant reduction in trucking costs.

OutcomeThe team was able to achieve a significant reduction in trucking costs.

Common mistakes

3 traps
Not Involving the Team
Not involving the team in the goal-setting process can lead to a lack of buy-in and commitment to the goal.
Trying to Do Too Much
Trying to do too many things at once can lead to a lack of focus and a decrease in overall performance.
Not Using a Structured Approach
Not using a structured approach to achieve the goal can lead to a lack of clarity and direction.

Origin story

How this framework came to be

The WIG Builder Tool was developed by Sean Covey as part of the 4 Disciplines of Execution. It is based on the idea that teams should focus on the wildly important goals and use a structured approach to achieve them.

Source

Traced to primary
Source · BOOK
Covey, Sean - The 4 Disciplines of Execution
Covey, Sean · 2020
Open source →

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