What is your CCIR?
It's not information overload, it's filter failure. Clay Shirky
Communication technology such as email, chat programs like Slack, and text have eased the ability to pass information in the modern workplace. The result; information overload. Without some standard of how information is passed, people, especially leaders become saturated and ineffective. They are left to sift through mountains of messages to find the ones which will help them lead their organization. People navigate their days wondering what to share with the boss. We had this problem in the Army with large units and multiple communication means. To fix this we used CCIR, Commander’s Critical Information Requirements. Replace commander with whatever your title is and you have a useful communication rubric your people can follow.
CCIR is best defined as those bits of information that may cause a leader to make a decision. Most information has use but CCIR can bring the most important information to the top. My CCIR would change based on the environment but I used it to help my people help me lead. Leaders cannot possibly know everything, nor should they. Hence the word ‘critical’ in the acronym. Here is an example.
In Company X, Tracy has five CCIRs.
Any expense over $10,000. Potential Decision: shift resources in a cash-strapped organization.
Any customer complaint could result in greater problems for the organization. Potential Decision: Tracy inserts herself as the company’s leader to mend any wounds caused by a customer’s unhappiness and takes steps to prevent it from happening again.
Any delay in the progress of the new product line. Potential Decision: Tracy, sitting atop marketing, sales and product development can speed or slow the pace of operations to keep everything synchronized.
Any serious injury (life, limb, eyesight) to an employee. Potential Decision: Along with genuine concern, Tracy can ensure the person and family are cared for and investigate the injury to see if any safety measures need to be emplaced.
Any major personal or professional milestone reached by a person or department in the company. Potential Decision: to be among the first to offer personal congratulations. She knows the importance of celebrating milestones and wants to foster a congratulatory environment shining the light on the accomplishments of her teams and people.
There are more CCIRs for sure but they ought to be focused enough so that people know which bits of information are truly important. They also require greater definition and concrete examples so people can abide.
Leaders may avoid a CCIR list for several reasons. They believe (wrongly) they will be left out of the daily information flow in a company. They believe they need to know everything. They feel that anything outside of CCIR will be kept from them. They can overcome this by creating an environment of open and honest communication.
I always lived by the philosophy of ‘do only those things that only I can do.’ I used this for information as well. Like you, I had capable people below me and they could manage the information I did not get. Outside of CCIR, leaders can and should get routine information via meetings and briefings to help them lead. CCIR should change with new environments and new missions. Moreover, CCIR should be delivered in a problem/issue, discussion, and recommendation format to help leaders make decisions. What is your CCIR?
I can help! Reach out to me today for more on CCIR and so much more. Let me coach you to manage the information you need to make you and your team successful. Or let me speak to your leaders about effective communication and information flow in your organization.
Make it Personal!
Rob!
Rob Campbell