The document discusses adding a sixth "W" - "What if?" - to the traditional five W's (Who, What, When, Where, Why) used in goal statements. It argues agile leaders need to be able to adapt when the future brings surprises by asking "What if?" questions and having the courage to change direction. Some historical examples of impactful "What if?" questions are provided. In conclusion, it suggests asking "What if?" questions of one's project team, business, and oneself.

1. The Cherished 5 “W” Goal Statement
(The Touchstone of Project Managers Everywhere)
Is Not Good Enough
Agile Leaders Need a Sixth “W”
Dr John Hogan
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2. The prism of
the goal
statement
The 5W Goal Statement-Tried and True-But not Complete
The Future
• Who must be enlisted to achieve this future and
who will benefit
• What must transpire to achieve this future
• When is the timing for this future
• Where does future unfold in terms of geography,
organization, or data
• Why are we expending the effort
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The traditional goal statement

3. A good goal statement is like a horseshoe magnet placed under a piece
of paper supporting random iron filings
The Iron Filing Test-the traditional measure of a good goal
statement
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4. The Iron Filing Test
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5. The Iron Filing Test
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The filings become aligned with the horseshoe magnet
• A good goal statement for the future must be as strong that magnet in
aligning stakeholders to the project’s goal
• This internal alignment is great, give yourself a pat on the back
• But it doesn’t guarantee the future will cooperate

6. The Iron Filing Test
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Sometimes a new reality appears

7. The Sixth W “What if?”
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What if we adapt to the future by asking questions and have the courage to change direction
The agile leader must be able to motivate his or her team to improvise and innovate when the
future holds surprises (challenges or opportunities)-and then effectively redirect the efforts of the
entire team

8. 8
• “Who” must be enlisted to achieve this future and who will benefit
• “What” must transpire to achieve this future
• “When” is the timing for this future
• “Where” does future unfold in terms of geography, organization, or data
• “Why” are we expending the effort
• “What if” we learn by asking questions and have the courage to change direction
The Agile Leader’s 6W Goal Statement

9. 9
• What if we didn’t have to wait for the picture-asked by the 3 year old daughter of
Edwin Land, the inventor of the Polaroid Camera. Also asked at the birth of digital
photography.
• What if we were accelerating through space a 32 feet per second per second in a
closed container. What would happen to a beam of light shot across the container.
Asked by Albert Einstein, you know the rest.
• What if anyone could view the World Wide Web. Asked by Tim Berners-Lee, the
developer of the first browser.
• What if we could have a garage sale on the internet, Asked by Pierre Omidyar, the
founder of Ebay
• What if I could paint over my typing mistakes. Asked by Bette Graham, the inventor
of Liquid Paper (sold before her death for $50M).
• What if a dot and a dash could convey any conceivable piece of information. Asked
by Samuel Morse, the inventor of Morse Code. Also asked at the birth of the digital
computer
Some Historical “What if” Questions

10. 10
What are the “What if” questions you need to ask
• Of your project team
• Of your business
• Of yourself

11. MY CURRENT AVOCATION IS TEACHING AGILE LEADERSHIP AND FACILITATING
DISCUSSIONS ABOUT ITS APPLICATION. I’D BE INTERESTED IN YOUR IDEAS ON
LEADERSHIP AND HOW IT IS MANIFESTED IN THE BUSINESS WORLD. PLEASE
CONTACT ME ON LINKEDIN OR AT THE EMAIL BELOW. BETTER YET TAKE MY AGILE
LEADERSHIP COURSE: https://www.learningtree.com/courses/3401/agile-
leadership/?s=174C17US#!tab2
Dr John Hogan
jhogan1278@gmail.com