Planning is a key element to any Excellence Journey. When Neil Young sat down and wrote “Old Man” in 1971, I’m sure he had a gold plan in mind because the album Harvest that it was featured on was amazingly Neil Young’s only number 1 album in his career. Here is a quality remix of the song to show you the important elements of Planning in the NQI Framework for Excellence.

I couldn't find an official karaoke version of this song (like I have with other Quality Remixes) so here are some sing-along options with the following links: www.youtube.com (instrumental) www.youtube.com (Neil Young singing his version) or try it a cappella.

Gold Plan - Neil Young: Planning - Quality Remix 4 of 6
by: Neil Young & Adam Stoehr

Gold Plan, I look at you like
you’re a chosen future
Gold Plan, I look at you like
you’re a chosen future

Gold plan, we look at you like
Planning for, whatever’s in store
Gather stats so we are precise
The data are all true

Finessed, people focussed
Removing plans that staff detest
Like when you toss an unwelcome guest
Who’s stayed too long with you

Gold plan, looks what’s in store
It’s all in view
We need input from clients
and partners too
Ah, we’ll stick with the plan
and we won’t need a horse shoe

No surprise, prioritized,
Cash around, to get it off the ground
Doesn’t mean we must agree
We’ll fix it on take-two.

Goal to be world class
Review plans, as time goes past
If it’s broken, put on a cast
It’ll heal and we’ll break through

Gold plan, looks what’s in store
It’s all in view
We need input from clients
and partners too
Ah, we’ll stick with the plan
and we won’t need a horse shoe

Gold Plan, I look at you like
you’re a chosen future
Gold Plan, I look at you like
you’re a chosen future