As a leader, you need to keep the concept of a launch window in mind before you implement a new idea. Space agencies use launch windows to make sure certain conditions will lead to the successful launch and mission of a rocket.
That’s because spaceflight depends on good weather and the correct placement of heavenly bodies. Launching a rocket in a bad storm or trying to reach a target that is too far away, will likely end in mission failure.
While you may want to launch a rocket on Tuesday, you may have to wait until these situations improve. The same thing can apply to your business.
To ensure the success of a new idea, consider your launch window:
Is Time on Your Side?
You may have just learned of a great idea but your plan to implement it tomorrow may not work. This can be a tough thing to accept because in so many areas of our lives, we can receive instant gratification.
For instance, if your new idea is part of a sales process, then implementing it when your sales team is out of town at a conference, may not be a smart idea. In this situation, you need to push back your launch window, no matter how excited you are about the idea.
A similar time barrier could be related to the calendar. During the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, I don’t do a lot of client outreach, as I know most people will not be in their offices or able to make decisions.
While bad timing can put the brakes on your new idea, understand a delay may be your best move.
Have People in Place for Your Launch Window?
A new idea or process may demand a skill-set that’s not in your organization. Simply believing your team can figure it out, may not be a wise move.
It’s likely some training is necessary or you may need to hire some different expertise.
Imagine that I decide to have my book translated into Polish. While it might not be hard to find a translator, I would need to make sure that person understood my material and my point of view.
Simply translating the words could result in some of the meaning being lost for the Polish audience. They may not understand my analogies tied to American sports or movies.
Finding someone who can translate English into Polish and make culturally appropriate analogies will take longer but will produce a better book for that audience.
What’s the Opportunity Cost?
With a new idea, it’s easy to think about the results we’ll get rather than the time it takes to get results. Time is not an unlimited resource and the opportunity cost, the time performing one action, instead of another, may come at a high price.
Make sure if you’re adding a process, people have time to do it and their regular work. Otherwise, you may need to shift responsibilities, hire more people, or see if some form of automation can save time.
Final Thought
While launch windows can be frustrating, they ultimately help your idea become successful. Invest the time in understanding your launch windows.
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