How OGSAM Keeps RevOps (and My Brain) in Check

Let’s be real: juggling projects across Sales, Marketing, and Customer Success is no small feat, to the point where I think “initiative” might be a bad word. I’m talking endless shifting priorities, misaligned goals, and about a hundred different things clamoring for attention. Add in my tendency to get a little (okay, a lot) anxious and the way my ADD has me ping-ponging from task to task in the never ending game of RevOps Whackamole and, well… things can go sideways real fast.

That’s why I’m such a huge fan of structured models like OGSAM. It’s my mental cheat sheet that keeps me grounded, prevents me from spinning out, and—most importantly—gets everyone aligned and speaking the same language without me having to play referee.

Lets be honest, who doesn’t love a good acronym! OGSAM stands for Objectives, Goals, Strategies, Actions, and Metrics(or measures of success). It’s basically a framework I use to organize thoughts and larger “initiatives” that brings clarity and focus to any project I’m trying to tackle, which is huge for someone like me who sometimes feels like they’re juggling chainsaws.

Let me walk you through why OGSAM is my go-to for fleshing out projects and driving cross-functional alignment.

Objective: Why Are We Even Doing This?

First things first, we define the Objective. This is the north star that keeps everyone on the same page and gives us a reason to care. I’m telling you, when you have ADD, clarity is key. Knowing why we’re doing something takes away so much of the mental clutter. It’s like, okay, I know the big picture, and I can stay focused on that never loosing sight of my North ⭐️ and getting lost in the minutiae.

Example: We’re building out an orders management function and clearly laying out “Establish a world-class Orders Management function that ensures the seamless processing of bookings, compliance with company policies,

and alignment with revenue recognition practices” is what we’re trying to accomplish and focuses on the why.

Goals: Aka The Measurable Milestones

Once we’ve got the Objective down, we move to Goals. This is where I get specific and attainable. And I love this step because goals give me something tangible to work toward. I mean, without goals, everything just feels so abstract, which is a recipe for me to lose focus fast.

Example: For the lead handoff project, our goals are “Decrease lead response time by 20%” or “Increase MQL-to-SQL conversion by 15%.” Now we have clear targets, and my brain can relax a little because it knows what “done” actually looks like. I cap it at a max of 4, anything more than that is too much.

Strategy: The Game Plan

Here’s where we get into Strategy—basically the “how” of it all. Strategies are where I can map out the big-picture approach, and honestly, it’s like soothing my ADD brain with a dose of structure. A strategy keeps me from jumping straight into the tactics before I’ve even figured out the best approach.

Example: For our handoff project, a strategy might be “Use lead scoring to prioritize high-intent leads for faster follow-up.” Now I know the general approach we’re taking, which means fewer impulsive detours and less anxiety about whether I’m doing the right thing.

Actions: The Checklist

Okay, here’s where it really clicks for me—Actions. I’m a big fan of lists and clear next steps, because, let’s face it, without them, I’m either lost in the details or too paralyzed to get started. Actions are the tasks that move the strategy forward, and they’re the only way I know how to keep projects from just floating around in the “someday” pile.

Example: For the handoff project, my actions might look like:

• Set up a meeting with Marketing to align on lead scoring criteria.

• Document lead handoff process and create a shared SOP (standard operating procedure).

• Test the new handoff workflow with a small batch of leads.

These actions are small, doable steps. No need to stress about the whole mountain; I’m just climbing one rock at a time.

Metrics: How We Know We’re Succeding

Last but not least, Metrics. This part is essential for keeping my anxiety in check because it gives me a way to track progress and know if I’m actually on target. Instead of sitting there wondering, “Is this working?” I have data

Example: For the handoff project, metrics might include things like “Average response time to new leads” or “MQL-to-SQL conversion rate.” These metrics show me the progress we’re making and keep my mind from spinning off into “are we even making a difference here?” territory.

Why did I go on this Rant??

For me, OGSAM is the ultimate framework because it gives me structure and direction, and it’s adaptable enough to use across almost any RevOps project. specifically it helps me

• With my transition from a tactician to more of that strategic leader

• Forces me to think big picture first and actions later

• Flesh out ideas, initiatives, project with the end in mind

• Helps me hold myself and the teams accountable