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4DX Implementation Strategy Plan

Introduction

This document outlines a comprehensive strategy for implementing the 4 Disciplines of Execution (4DX) framework to improve nontraditional student engagement with Canvas and online learning tools. The plan integrates the 5 stages of change with the 4DX methodology while complementing the Influencer Model's six sources of influence.

 

4DX Overview

The 4 Disciplines of Execution consist of:

  1. Focus on the Wildly Important Goal (WIG): Identifying the critical objective

  2. Act on Lead Measures: Focusing on high-impact activities that drive success

  3. Keep a Compelling Scoreboard: Creating visible tracking of progress

  4. Create a Cadence of Accountability: Establishing regular reviews and commitments

 

Stage 1: Getting Clear (Weeks 1-2)

4DX Application

  • Discipline 1: Focus on the WIG

    • Defined WIG: "Increase nontraditional student Canvas proficiency scores from X to Y by [date]"

    • Establish clear "from X to Y by when" metrics

    • Ensure the WIG addresses the most significant challenge facing nontraditional students

  • Discipline 2: Act on Lead Measures

    • Identify 2-3 high-impact behaviors that will drive Canvas proficiency:

      • Weekly completion of microlearning modules

      • Regular participation in peer support forums

      • Practice applying Canvas skills to real course assignments

  • Discipline 3: Keep a Compelling Scoreboard

    • Design a simple, visible tracking system in the VikingGo app that shows:

      • Current Canvas proficiency score vs. target

      • Microlearning module completion rates

      • Peer support engagement metrics

  • Discipline 4: Create a Cadence of Accountability

    • Establish weekly 15-minute virtual check-ins for student cohorts

    • Structure around: reviewing commitments, reporting results, learning from successes/failures, making new commitments

 

Key Implementation Actions

  1. Engage leadership in articulating the WIG

    • Conduct stakeholder sessions with faculty, student success teams, and student representatives

    • Use data to demonstrate the critical need for improved Canvas proficiency

    • Secure resources and commitment from institutional leadership

  2. Define clear roles and responsibilities

    • Identify team leaders for each student cohort

    • Assign specific responsibilities for tracking metrics and facilitating accountability sessions

    • Establish a project management structure for the implementation team

  3. Connection to Influencer Model

    • Personal Motivation: Build intrinsic motivation by showing how Canvas proficiency connects to academic success and career goals

    • Structural Ability: Create easy-to-access resources and tools that remove technical barriers

 

Stage 2: Launch (Weeks 3-5)

4DX Application

  • Discipline 1: Focus on the WIG

    • Communicate the WIG through multiple channels: orientation, VikingGo app, email, and learning management system

    • Connect the WIG to student success stories and outcomes

    • Help each student understand their personal contribution to the WIG

  • Discipline 2: Act on Lead Measures

    • Train students on tracking their lead measure behaviors

    • Demonstrate the cause-and-effect relationship between lead measures and the WIG

    • Provide tools for self-monitoring of lead measures

  • Discipline 3: Keep a Compelling Scoreboard

    • Introduce the scoreboard with baseline data

    • Ensure all students understand how to read and interpret the scoreboard

    • Make scoreboards accessible on mobile devices for anytime viewing

  • Discipline 4: Create a Cadence of Accountability

    • Hold the first WIG session with clear structure and expectations

    • Model effective commitment-making and reporting

    • Capture and share successful strategies from early adopters

 

Key Implementation Actions

  1. Deliver engaging launch event

    • Create a multi-format launch (in-person, virtual, recorded)

    • Include demonstrations of the scoreboard and accountability processes

    • Feature testimonials from pilot participants

  2. Establish communication channels

    • Set up dedicated channels in the VikingGo app for 4DX updates

    • Create FAQs and quick reference guides for the 4DX process

    • Establish technical support mechanisms for the scoreboard system

  3. Connection to Influencer Model

    • Social Motivation: Create peer communities where students encourage each other

    • Personal Ability: Provide targeted training on specific Canvas features through microlearning

    • Structural Motivation: Implement a badge system for completing modules and reaching milestones

 

Stage 3: Adoption (Weeks 6-12)

4DX Application

  • Discipline 1: Focus on the WIG

    • Reinforce the importance of the WIG through success stories and progress updates

    • Address any drift from the WIG focus through coaching and redirection

    • Celebrate early wins related to the WIG

  • Discipline 2: Act on Lead Measures

    • Collect and analyze data on lead measure performance

    • Implement interventions to improve lagging lead measures

    • Share best practices for consistency in lead measure execution

  • Discipline 3: Keep a Compelling Scoreboard

    • Update scoreboards weekly with current data

    • Highlight trends and patterns in performance

    • Make scoreboard review a regular part of student interactions

  • Discipline 4: Create a Cadence of Accountability

    • Establish rhythm in WIG sessions

    • Focus on quality of commitments made

    • Ensure all voices are heard in accountability sessions

 

Key Implementation Actions

  1. Monitor and adjust implementation

    • Conduct weekly implementation team meetings to review progress

    • Gather feedback from students and faculty about the 4DX process

    • Make necessary adjustments to scoreboard design or accountability structures

  2. Address resistance and obstacles

    • Identify common barriers to adoption

    • Develop targeted interventions for struggling students

    • Create success stories highlighting breakthrough moments

  3. Connection to Influencer Model

    • Social Ability: Leverage peer mentors to help students overcome technical challenges

    • Structural Ability: Ensure mobile-friendly, accessible design of all Canvas training materials

    • Personal Motivation: Connect Canvas proficiency achievements to specific course success

 

Stage 4: Optimization (Weeks 13-20)

4DX Application

  • Discipline 1: Focus on the WIG

    • Assess progress toward the WIG and make any necessary adjustments

    • Deepen understanding of factors influencing the WIG

    • Communicate progress and remaining gaps

  • Discipline 2: Act on Lead Measures

    • Refine lead measures based on data about effectiveness

    • Increase precision in execution of lead measures

    • Innovate new approaches to improve lead measure performance

  • Discipline 3: Keep a Compelling Scoreboard

    • Enhance scoreboard with predictive elements

    • Add benchmark comparisons where appropriate

    • Ensure scoreboard continues to motivate rather than discourage

  • Discipline 4: Create a Cadence of Accountability

    • Elevate the quality of WIG sessions

    • Increase student ownership of the accountability process

    • Strengthen peer-to-peer accountability mechanisms

 

Key Implementation Actions

  1. Identify and spread best practices

    • Analyze data to identify most effective approaches

    • Create case studies of high-performing student groups

    • Develop training for new cohorts based on successful strategies

  2. Refine systems and processes

    • Streamline reporting and tracking mechanisms

    • Improve integration between 4DX tools and existing systems

    • Reduce administrative burden while maintaining accountability

  3. Connection to Influencer Model

    • Personal Ability: Develop advanced Canvas skills training for students ready to progress

    • Social Motivation: Create recognition systems for students who help peers succeed

    • Structural Motivation: Connect Canvas proficiency achievements to tangible benefits

 

Stage 5: Habits (Weeks 21+)

4DX Application

  • Discipline 1: Focus on the WIG

    • Evaluate full achievement of the original WIG

    • Identify next-level WIGs that build on success

    • Transfer WIG ownership more fully to student leaders

  • Discipline 2: Act on Lead Measures

    • Convert lead measures into standard operating procedures

    • Establish self-reinforcing systems for lead measure execution

    • Train student mentors to coach others on lead measures

  • Discipline 3: Keep a Compelling Scoreboard

    • Integrate scoreboard data into institutional metrics

    • Develop scoreboard literacy among all stakeholders

    • Create lasting visual reminders of progress and achievement

  • Discipline 4: Create a Cadence of Accountability

    • Establish sustainable rhythm of accountability beyond the initial implementation

    • Develop student leaders who can facilitate WIG sessions

    • Create documentation of processes for new cohorts

 

Key Implementation Actions

  1. Institutionalize successful practices

    • Incorporate 4DX elements into standard orientation and training

    • Update policies and procedures to reflect successful processes

    • Establish ongoing funding and support for scoreboard systems

  2. Celebrate and recognize achievement

    • Hold formal recognition events for achieving the WIG

    • Document and share success stories throughout the institution

    • Recognize individual and team contributions to success

  3. Connection to Influencer Model

    • Personal Motivation: Connect mastery of Canvas to broader educational goals

    • Social Ability: Develop a community of practice around technology skills

    • Structural Ability: Embed Canvas proficiency supports into the institutional infrastructure

 

How 4DX and the Influencer Model Complement Each Other

The integration of 4DX and the Influencer Model creates a powerful framework for achieving sustainable change in student technology proficiency:

 

Complementary Focus Areas

  • 4DX provides the execution framework—the "how" of implementation with clear goals, measures, tracking, and accountability

  • Influencer Model addresses the motivation and ability factors—the "why" and "enablers" that drive behavior change

 

Integration Points

  1. WIG + Personal Motivation

    • The WIG becomes personally meaningful when connected to students' educational and career aspirations

    • Personal motivation drives sustained commitment to the WIG over time

  2. Lead Measures + Personal and Social Ability

    • Lead measures become achievable when students have the personal ability (skills and knowledge) to execute them

    • Social ability (peer support) reinforces consistent execution of lead measures

  3. Scoreboard + Structural Motivation

    • The scoreboard serves as a structural motivator by making progress visible and creating accountability

    • Recognition systems tied to scoreboard progress reinforce desired behaviors

  4. Accountability + Social Motivation

    • The cadence of accountability harnesses social motivation through peer influence

    • Social connections formed in WIG sessions strengthen commitment to the goal

 

Synergistic Implementation

  • Use the Influencer Model to identify barriers and enablers during 4DX implementation

  • Apply 4DX discipline to ensure the six sources of influence are consistently leveraged

  • When progress stalls, analyze which sources of influence need strengthening

 

Reinforcing Cycle

  1. 4DX provides the framework and structure for execution

  2. The Influencer Model identifies and addresses motivation and ability factors

  3. Improved motivation and ability lead to better execution of the 4DX disciplines

  4. Better execution creates visible results that further enhance motivation

By systematically implementing this integrated approach, nontraditional students will develop not only technical proficiency but also sustainable habits of engagement with online learning tools that support their long-term academic success.

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References

McChesney, C., Covey, S. & Huling, J. (April, 2012). The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Achieving your wildly important goals. Simon and Schuster.

Patterson, K., Grenny, J., McMillan, R., & Switzler, A. (2023). Crucial conversations: Tools for talking when stakes are high. McGraw Hill.

McChesney, C. (2017, Feb. 10). The 4 Disciplines of Execution in a Nutshell [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP7sq_tGZj8

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