--- title: "Good BHAG test" description: "A way to join the two studies and set big goals with understanding." canonical: https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/good-to-great/good-bhag-test/ updated: 2026-11-03 --- # Good BHAG test > A way to join the two studies and set big goals with understanding. Jim Collins's framework, from Good to Great, pp. 199 to 221. Framework 14 of 15 from [Good to Great](https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/good-to-great/index.md) by Jim Collins. Category: Founder mindset. ## The steps 1. **Map the three circles.** Understand what you can be best at, your economics and your passion. 2. **Set the BHAG inside them.** A good BHAG sits in the middle of the three circles. 3. **Preserve the core.** Hold values and purpose fixed. 4. **Stimulate progress.** Change strategies and practices endlessly around that core. ## Where it comes from From chapter: Chapter 9 - From Good To Great To Built To Last, pp. 199–221 Collins returns to Built to Last and concludes that Good to Great is really a prequel to it. Early leaders of enduring companies such as Wal-Mart and Hewlett-Packard followed the good-to-great framework as entrepreneurs. To go from sustained great results to an enduring great company, add core ideology and the preserve the core, stimulate progress dynamic. The three circles also separate a good BHAG from a bad one. The chapter ends by asking why try for greatness, and answers that meaningful work makes the question tautological, using a high school cross-country team as proof. ## The animation 24 seconds, 4:5, no sound. - MP4: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/good-to-great/good-bhag-test.mp4 - MP4, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/good-to-great/good-bhag-test-dark.mp4 - Still: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/good-to-great/good-bhag-test.png - Still, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/good-to-great/good-bhag-test-dark.png