For as long as I’ve worked in business, I’ve never seen a traditional business plan actually delivered.
That’s not to say they’re bad ideas, they just don’t work in the real world. Business plans are often based on assumptions you can’t control, and by the time you’ve finished writing them, they’re already out of date.
Simon Rogerson recently posted about the same issue, and it really struck a chord. At BWD, we’d already moved away from the “12-month business plan” mindset and started doing something that’s actually made a difference: working in 12-week cycles.
You can read my original thoughts on that here: Business plans are a waste of time →
Why 12 Weeks Beats 12 Months
We start with a clear vision, where we want to go, but instead of mapping out a whole year, we zoom in on what’s achievable and impactful right now. 12 weeks is short enough to stay laser-focused, but long enough to move the dial.
My motto these days? “If it doesn’t move the dial, it’s noise.”
This approach, inspired by The 12 Week Year (thank you Tony Fields for the recommendation), has completely changed the way I work. By plugging this system into AI tools for nudges and reminders, I’ve been able to stay accountable, cut distractions, and keep the team focused on what really matters.
As someone who openly admits to being the world’s leading procrastinator, this is the first system that’s actually kept me on track.
The 12 Week Projects Resources
After sharing this idea on LinkedIn, I had a flood of messages asking for the template we use. So I decided to do a proper job of it.
To help you get started, I’ve created two free resources:
- 5-Step Starter Guide: the method behind the plan
- Excel Template: to put it into practice straight away
You can also see the full post here: Stop planning for 12 months. Start winning in 12 weeks →
The Takeaway
UK PLC doesn’t need more “foundations” talk – it needs productivity up, and debt down.
If you’re serious about making progress, stop waiting for the perfect 12-month plan.
Start small, start focused, and start winning in 12 weeks.
