CWHP-A Reflections: Unit WWC03

What stands out most about this unit is best summarized by the title of my critical reflection, which is a quote from Dwight D. Eisenhower — “Plans are nothing; planning is everything.”

For me, the time invested in actively engaging as many stakeholders as reasonably practicable in an integrated planning process using a shared responsibility approach is most important at this stage. Aligning the Workplace Health and Performance strategy to corporate and business plans, organizational values, and existing systems and programs is vital.

Deciding on outcomes, objectives, measures, and actions together, along with the determination of timelines and responsible stakeholders, reinforces the “why” behind the work, ensures clear priorities, and sets the stage for accountability and ownership of the plan and desired results.

I also think this is an excellent place for a “check and balance” on resource requirements. In my experience, many plans fail as the essential resource requirements—especially the time and workload of the person(s) assigned actions—are not realistically assessed or practical in everyday job tasks and responsibilities.

As the implementation plan for the Workplace Health and Performance strategy is built, workload management is a psychosocial hazard that must be actively considered and mitigated. Not doing so contradicts the overarching goal of thriving people and organizations.