Paradigm Transformation | Paradigm Climb

How it all started..

The GROW model is a great and simple tool for helping understand how to set realistic business or personal goals and the initial steps required to get started. PTC Directors use this regularly with each other which is how we started learning to fly!

However, we have now determined another joint goal of climbing Kilimanjaro! We also thought it would be fun to use our own project management tools and improvement techniques to get to the top.

Step 1: Define

In the initial Definition Stage of the Project where we are utilising our project management and scoping tools to ensure that we have clarity on the 8 critical components of the challenge which will set a strong foundation for success:

Objectives: In this case, the real objective is to climb Everest, but since that is a little ambitious for 2 people with no mountain climbing experience, we have selected Kilimanjaro!
Scope: High altitude mountains that require multiple days trekking and sleep in low oxygen environments.
Deliverables: For this project these include fitness level, weight loss, days at high altitude with no signs of altitude sickness, trek duration and of course making it to the top.
Timeline: We will complete by 15 October 2023. This gives (at the time of decision) 32 weeks be ready.
Budget: Much of this has been determined by the resource requirements, training aspects and supplier costs.
Risks: These include for example, failure due to altitude sickness, injury and/or fatigue. All risks are regularly reviewed and addressed as necessary.
Stakeholders: These are the people or organisations who have an interest in the project. In this case, it includes our respective families, organisations that we will support through charitable donations and the supplier of the trip.
Resources: Personnel, equipment, materials, and other resources needed to complete the project.

236 Days to go - We are practicing what we preach. If you want to know how to start and progress, ask an expert! We are proud to say that we are being coached by a member of the British Army! Physical Training Instructor Bombardier Martyn Hardiman is helping us understand what we need and develop a plan.

142 Days to go - For Piet, a great use of the bank holiday with a 15k practice walk around Glympton (Woodstock). With the elements of the Spheres of Control in mind Piet has created a plan to bid farewell to a whopping 15 kilograms in body mass. Shedding those extra kilos will make it possible to exchange the weight from the body to the backpack, and that can be removed whenever required! This is something that is totally in Piet’s control. For Jack, having lost 6kg from the target of 9Kg, an 18 mile ride round Rutland water was enjoyable and good for fitness.

104 Days to go - Another calibration exercise in the Malverns. The walks are now a baseline for testing our equipment and fitness level. Jacks boots are ok, Piet is buying a new pair. We have Increased our backpack weight to 8kg and increased walking pace which resulted in a reduction of 1 hour from the first time we did the 10 mile walk. More experimenting to do, including slowing right down! Kilimanjaro is a marathon, not a sprint so we are training stamina and endurance.

71 Days to go - As the directors embark on their journey of preparation and anticipation to conquer the heights of Mount Kilimanjaro, we at PTC find ourselves focusing on a critical aspect of the plan: safety, a core value embraced wholeheartedly by our entire team.

Have a look at the Article

53 Days to go - We are focusing on Change Control, which is the foundation of any project. Anybody that knows us is aware how we like to link business tools and techniques to real life situations. So continuing a theme, this post is connected to the directors upcoming Kilimanjaro climb.

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Milestone Achieved - A hard but rewarding climb with plenty of learnings along the way. Both completed it safely so now it’s time for the last part of our Project Management method - Consolidate. This is where we look at what went right and wrong and lessons learned for the next project which will be another step toward Everest.

Paradigm Climb

#ParadigmClimb

How it all started..

Project Management Methodology:

Step 1: Define

174 Days to go - A 6 mile hike with 7kg of weight to test out the fit and feel of our new back packs.

114 Days to go - Plan Do Check Act (PDCA) is not just for the workplace! On this 9 mile hike in the Malvern's we were testing: Personal endurance, hydration intervals and equipment ‘hot spots’ that might cause irritation and/or blisters.

33 Days to go - Completed Snowden in the rain 2 hours quicker than the recommended time! All of our equipment has been tested and we are happy with it. Our fitness level is where we want it and we may do Ben Nevis before we go…

To Be Continued...