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Blog Beginner Guides What is an Action Plan & How to Write One [With Examples]

What is an Action Plan & How to Write One [With Examples]

Written by: Danesh Ramuthi Oct 26, 2023

An action plan is a meticulously structured strategy that pinpoints specific steps, tasks and resources vital to turning a goal into reality. It is extremely useful in any project management. 

Crafting an action plan is like plotting a route for a cross-country journey. It’s the strategic map that outlines every step, decision and pitstop needed to reach your ultimate destination.

With a well-thought-out action plan, you’re not just shooting in the dark; you’re making informed, purposeful strides towards your goals. Dive deep with our guide and witness real-world examples that will inspire and guide you.

Need a tool to kickstart your planning? Try out the Venngage business plan maker and explore their extensive collection of action plan templates .

Click to jump ahead: 

What is the purpose of an action plan?

When to develop an action plan, 7 components of a actions plan, 15 action plan examples.

• How to Write an action plan?

Final thoughts

An action plan serves as a strategic tool designed to outline specific steps, tasks and goals necessary to achieve a particular objective.

Its primary purpose is to provide a clear roadmap and direction for individuals, teams or organizations to follow in order to efficiently and effectively accomplish their goals. 

Action plans break down complex projects into manageable, actionable components, making it easier to track progress and stay on course.

Moreover, action plans play a crucial role in fostering accountability and coordination among team members. By assigning responsibilities and deadlines for each task or milestone, they ensure that everyone involved is aware of their roles and the overall timeline, reducing confusion and enhancing teamwork. 

Additionally, action plans help in resource allocation, budgeting and risk management by enabling stakeholders to identify potential challenges and plan for contingencies. 

Overall, the purpose of an action plan is to transform abstract goals into concrete actions, making them more achievable and measurable while ensuring that the resources and efforts are aligned with the desired outcomes.

Developing an action plan is crucial when you’re looking to achieve a specific goal or outcome. Here are instances when you should consider developing an action plan:

• Start of an organization : Ideally, an action plan should be developed within the first six months to one year of the start of an organization. This initial plan lays the groundwork for the future direction and growth of the entity.
• Project initiation : At the start of any project, an action plan helps to clearly define the tasks, responsibilities, and timelines.
• Goal setting : Whenever you or your organization sets a new goal. Action plans transform these goals from abstract ideas into concrete steps.
• Strategic planning : For long-term visions and missions, action plans break down the journey into manageable pieces, each with its timeline and responsible parties.
• Performance improvement : If there are areas where performance is lacking, whether it’s personal or organizational, an action plan can outline the steps needed to elevate performance.

An action plan is a detailed outline that breaks down the steps necessary to achieve a specific goal. Here are the typical components of an action plan.

1. Objective or Goal

The cornerstone of your action plan is the objective or goal. This should be a clear and concise statement outlining the desired outcome or result. Having a well-defined objective provides a direction and purpose to the entire plan, ensuring all tasks and actions are aligned towards achieving this singular aim.

2. Tasks or Actions

Once the objective is set, the next step is to list down the specific tasks or actions required to achieve this goal. These tasks should be broken down into detailed steps, ensuring no essential activity is overlooked. The granularity of these tasks can vary based on the complexity of the goal.

3. Set deadline

For each task or action, set a realistic and achievable deadline. This timeline ensures that the plan stays on track and that momentum is maintained throughout the execution. It also allows for monitoring progress and identifying potential delays early.

4. Resources needed to complete the project

It’s crucial to recognize and list the resources you’ll need to complete the tasks. This can encompass financial resources, human resources, equipment, technological tool, marketing planning software or any other assets. Identifying these early ensures that there are no bottlenecks during execution due to a lack of necessary resources.

5. Person responsible

Assign a person or a team for each task. This designation ensures accountability and clarity. When individuals are aware of their responsibilities, it reduces overlap, confusion and ensures that every task has someone overseeing its completion.

6. Potential barriers or challenges

Every plan will face challenges. By anticipating potential barriers or obstacles, you can be better prepared to address them. This proactive approach ensures smoother execution and less reactionary problem-solving.

7. Measurement of key performance indicators (KPIs)

Determine how you’ll measure the success of each task or the plan overall. KPIs are tangible metrics that allow you to gauge progress and determine whether you’re moving closer to your goals and objectives. They offer a quantifiable means to evaluate success.

Action plans serve as blueprints, guiding the steps and resources needed to achieve a specific goal. 

They come in various formats, tailored to different scenarios and objectives. Here, we present a range of action plan examples that cater to diverse purposes and situations. 

From business strategies to simple task lists, these examples illustrate the versatility and importance of well-structured planning.

Business action plan example

A business action plan is essentially a strategy roadmap, meticulously tailored for realizing broader business objectives. By crafting a solid action plan, businesses can channel their resources, manpower and strategies in a direction that harmonizes with their larger vision.

Key to this plan is the identification and alignment of steps that resonate with the company’s comprehensive strategy, ambitions of growth and aspirations for operational enhancements. 

While this might entail a myriad of specific steps based on unique business goals, some common elements include setting clear key performance indicators (KPIs), undertaking a thorough SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis to grasp the current business landscape and establishing a timeline to keep track of progress.

Furthermore, allocating responsibilities to team members or individuals ensures that every aspect of the strategy has a dedicated focus. Budgeting, essential to the success of the action plan, ensures that every initiative is financially viable and sustainable. 

Regular reviews and iterations based on feedback and changing market dynamics keep the action plan agile and relevant.

Related: 5 Steps to Create an Actionable Employee Development Plan [with Templates & Examples]

Company action plan example

A comprehensive company action plan serves as the strategic linchpin, ensuring a coherent and coordinated approach to realizing organizational goals. Central to this plan is the incorporation of rigorous market research and analysis, which provides insights into consumer behaviors, market trends and potential opportunities. 

Equally vital is the focus on product development and procurement, ensuring that the offerings align with market demands and stand out in terms of quality and relevance. 

Alongside, adept legal and financial management safeguards the company’s interests, ensuring compliance with regulations and prudent fiscal oversight.

Moreover, the essence of any successful company action plan lies in its sales and marketing strategies. These define how the products or services are positioned and promoted in the market, ensuring visibility and engagement with the target audience. 

However, while acquisition is crucial, retention plays an equally significant role. Hence, impeccable customer service and nurturing relationships become indispensable components, fostering loyalty and ensuring that clients remain ambassadors for the brand long after the initial transaction.

Related: 30+ Project Plan Examples to Visualize Your Strategy (2023)

Sales action plan example

A well-structured sales action plan serves as the backbone for systematic and efficient progress. Central to this plan is the identification and utilization of the most effective sales channels, whether they are direct, online or through third-party avenues. 

Clarity on the products and services on offer, combined with their unique selling propositions, facilitates tailored and resonant sales pitches. 

Budget considerations ensure that resources are judiciously allocated, balancing the act between expenditures and potential returns. This financial prudence is complemented by setting realistic sales projections, which act as both a motivational target and a yardstick for success.

Timelines, or proposed deadlines, infuse the process with a sense of urgency, ensuring that the momentum of the sales drive is maintained. 

However, the true measure of the action plan’s efficacy lies in its key performance indicators (KPIs). These metrics, be it lead conversion rates or customer retention figures, serve as tangible markers, highlighting the plan’s strengths and signaling areas that might require recalibration to increase sales.

Corrective action plan example

The essence of a corrective action plan lies in its meticulous structure, tailored to address and rectify deviations or inefficiencies identified within an organization. At its core, each action item serves as a focal point, detailing specific areas or processes that require intervention. 

Accompanying each action item is a clear description that provides a comprehensive understanding of the issue at hand. 

However, merely identifying a problem isn’t enough; delving deep into its origins through root cause analysis ensures that solutions target the fundamental issues, rather than just addressing superficial symptoms. 

This analysis then paves the way for defining the corrective action, a tangible step or series of steps designed to mitigate the identified problem and prevent its recurrence.

Besides, to ensure the plan’s effectiveness, assigning a responsible person to each action item is paramount. This individual or team is entrusted with the task’s execution, ensuring accountability and focus. 

The status of each action keeps stakeholders informed about the progress, be it in the planning phase, ongoing, or completed. 

Lastly, setting a due date for each corrective action introduces a sense of urgency and purpose, ensuring that issues are addressed in a timely manner, minimizing disruptions and maximizing operational efficiency.

Simple action plan example

A simple action plan strips away the layers of complexity, offering a concise and direct approach to achieving a goal or addressing an issue. This type of plan is characterized by its straightforward structure, devoid of extraneous details, yet powerfully effective in its clarity. 

It is specifically designed for tasks or objectives that don’t necessitate elaborate strategies or multi-layered approaches.

The core components of a simple action plan usually include a clear statement of the task or objective at hand, followed by a sequence of actions or steps to be taken. 

Each step is described succinctly, ensuring that anyone involved has a clear understanding of what is expected. Responsibilities are defined clearly, with each task allocated to an individual or a team, ensuring accountability. Timelines might be integrated, providing a clear framework for completion, even if they’re just broad milestones. 

Regular check-ins or assessments, although minimal, might be incorporated to monitor progress. 

The beauty of a simple action plan lies in its agility and adaptability, making it particularly suited for individual projects, short-term tasks or situations where a rapid response is required.

How to write an action plan?

Creating an effective action plan is a foundational step towards turning aspirations into tangible results. It provides a clear roadmap, ensuring that each step taken aligns with the overall objective.

Whether you’re aiming to enhance a business process or achieve a personal goal, a well-drafted action plan can be your guiding light. Here’s key steps on how you can craft one:

• Step 1: Establish SMART goals: Initiating with a goal that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound ensures you have a clear and focused endpoint in sight. Smart goals serves as the cornerstone for your entire strategic blueprint.
• Step 2: Determine necessary tasks: Decompose your overarching objective into smaller, actionable tasks. This modular approach not only makes the mission less daunting but also provides a sequential pathway to goal attainment.
• Step 3: Assign essential resources: Depending on the tasks at hand, designate necessary resources, be they human, financial or technological. This ensures that every activity has the backing it needs for successful execution.
• Step 4: Prioritize tasks by importance: Not all tasks hold equal weight. Determine the hierarchy of tasks based on their impact on the goal and their time sensitivity. This allows for a systematic progression.
• Step 5: Outline timelines and key markers: With tasks in hand, set clear deadlines for each. Introduce milestones, which act as periodic check-ins, ensuring you’re on track and allowing for celebrations of smaller victories.
• Step 6: Oversee and modify your strategy blueprint: As you progress, there will invariably be learnings and challenges. Regularly review your plan to make necessary adjustments, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness.
• Step 7: Consider ready-to-use templates: If starting from scratch feels overwhelming, lean on structured templates to guide your planning. There’s plenty of business plan softwares and platforms such as  Venngage that offer a plethora of action plan templates , tailored to various needs, which can significantly streamline the process.

An action plan is more than just an action steps, it’s a strategic blueprint that bridges the gap between aspirations and realizations. 

Through this comprehensive guide, I’ve walked you through the purpose, ideal timings, core components, and practical examples of action plans across various domains. 

Leveraging tools of project management , you can track progress, assign tasks and ensure every team member stays on the same page. 

It’s not just about setting goals, but about strategically planning every step, ensuring tasks completed align with the larger project goals. 

Remember, success isn’t just about having goals but about charting the right course to achieve them

And if you’re looking to supercharge your planning efforts, don’t miss out on the Venngage business plan maker. 

Dive into their extensive collection of action plan templates and make your strategic planning both efficient and effective. 

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How to Write an Action Plan: Step-by-Step (Examples)

By Status.net Editorial Team on November 9, 2023 — 9 minutes to read

An action plan is a detailed roadmap of the necessary steps you need to take to achieve a specific goal or objective. It’s like a GPS that guides you from your starting point to your desired destination. Creating an action plan helps you break down a large goal into smaller, more manageable tasks, which makes the goal feel less overwhelming.

To start, you should first identify your end goal and be as specific as possible. For example, if you want to increase sales for your business, set a target like “Increase sales by 20% within the next six months.” This will give you a clear vision of what you want to achieve and make it easier to measure your progress.

Next, list the necessary actions or tasks required to reach your goal. These can be further divided into smaller tasks that are easy to understand and implement. For example, to increase sales, you could:

• Improve your online presence by revamping your website, optimizing it for search engines, and posting regularly on social media platforms.
• Reach out to potential clients through email campaigns and cold calls.
• Offer promotions or discounts to incentivize new customers to try your product or service.

Now, it’s time to set a timeline for each task. Deadlines will enable you to monitor your progress and stay on track. Assign realistic due dates for each task, and if needed, break them down into smaller milestones.

To ensure your action plan’s success, make sure to assign responsibility for each task. If you’re working with a team, delegate tasks according to each team member’s strengths, skills, and workload. This will help ensure everyone knows what their responsibilities are, and they are held accountable.

Lastly, always monitor your progress and evaluate your action plan’s effectiveness. Regularly review the tasks you’ve accomplished, and make note of the tasks that were challenging or required more time than anticipated. This self-assessment will help you improve your action plan and make necessary adjustments as you work towards your goal.

Example Action Plan

Goal : Increase sales by 20% within the next 6 months (By January 1st, 2025)

Actions : 1. Improve online presence a) Revamp website design – Due October 15th b) Optimize website for SEO – Due November 1st c) Post regularly on social media (1x/week min) – Ongoing

2. Reach out to potential clients a) Create email marketing campaign – Due September 15th b) Start cold calling campaign (10 calls/day) – Start October 1st

3. Offer promotions a) Design promotion flyers – Due September 1st b) Run month-long 20% off sale – October 1-31st

Monitoring : – Check website analytics weekly – Track new clients monthly – Evaluate sales figures monthly – Adjust plan as needed at monthly meetings

Responsibilities : – John to revamp website – Susan to handle social media – Michael to create promotions – Jennifer to manage outreach campaigns

Steps to Creating a Powerhouse Action Plan

First, identify your goal . Be specific about what you want to achieve and set a time frame for accomplishing it. This will help keep your efforts focused and prevent you from getting overwhelmed by smaller tasks. For example, instead of “increase sales”, choose “increase sales by 20% in the next six months”.

Next, break your goal down into smaller, manageable tasks . Create a list of activities or steps that must be completed in order to reach your goal. If your goal is to Increase sales by 20%, some tasks might be:

• Research your target market
• Develop a marketing strategy
• Improve product offerings
• Train your sales team

Assign a deadline and responsible party for each task on your list. This will help ensure that all tasks are completed on time and that everyone knows their role in achieving the goal. Make sure to set realistic timelines for each task, taking into consideration the resources and time available.

Here’s an example:

• Research your target market – due in one week – assigned to Jane (marketing specialist)
• Develop a marketing strategy – due in two weeks – assigned to marketing team

Monitor your progress regularly. Keep track of your progress by using tools such as calendars, project management software, or a simple spreadsheet. Regularly assess whether you’re on track to meet your goal and adjust your action plan if needed. For example, if a task is taking longer than expected, you may need to reassign resources or revise the deadline.

Celebrate your milestones and learn from setbacks . Along the way, take the time to acknowledge and celebrate your successes, as well as learn from any setbacks or challenges. This will help maintain motivation and encourage continuous improvement.

Finally, communicate your action plan to all stakeholders involved, such as employees, investors, or clients. Clear communication ensures everyone understands the goal, their responsibilities, and the expectations for the project.

Defining Clear and Smart Goals

Specific goals.

When creating your action plan, start by setting specific goals. These are clear, well-defined goals that leave no room for ambiguity. You should know exactly what needs to be accomplished and how you plan to achieve it. For example, instead of aiming for “increasing sales,” set a goal like “increase sales by 15% over the next six months.”

Measurable Goals

Your goals should be measurable so that you can track your progress and know when you’ve achieved them. This involves identifying quantifiable indicators that will help you determine your progress. For instance, if your goal is to increase sales, a measurable component can be the number of units sold or the amount of revenue generated within a specific timeframe.

Achievable Goals

When setting goals, make sure they are achievable and realistic based on your current resources and constraints. Consider your team’s capabilities, time, and budget. Unattainable goals may negatively impact your motivation and morale. For example, if you have a small team with limited resources, setting a goal to double your company’s size within a month might be unrealistic. Instead, aim for a modest yet challenging growth rate that can be achieved with your available resources.

Relevant Goals

Your action plan goals should also be relevant to your organization’s mission and vision. These are goals that align with your overall strategic plan and contribute to its long-term success. Relevant goals ensure that your efforts are focused on high-impact areas and avoid unnecessary distractions. For example, if your business is focused on sustainability, a relevant goal might be to reduce your company’s carbon footprint by 20% in the next year.

Time-bound Goals

Finally, ensure that your goals are time-bound, meaning they have a deadline for completion. Deadlines keep your team accountable and help maintain a sense of urgency, which is crucial for staying on track and achieving your objectives. A clear timeframe also allows you to measure your progress and adjust your plans as needed. For instance, you could set a goal to expand your customer base by 10% within the next quarter.

Assigning Roles and Responsibilities

When creating an action plan, it’s important to assign roles and responsibilities to your team members. This helps ensure tasks are completed efficiently and everyone is clear about their duties. Here’s how to do it effectively:

• First, identify the necessary tasks to achieve your goal. Be specific about what needs to be done and break it down into smaller steps if needed. For example, if your action plan involves promoting a new product, tasks could include designing promotional materials, creating social media posts, and reaching out to potential partners.
• Next, evaluate the skills and expertise of your team members. Consider their strengths, weaknesses, and past experiences with similar projects. This will help you match team members with tasks that best suit their abilities. For instance, someone with graphic design expertise should be responsible for creating promotional materials.
• Once you’ve determined which team members are best suited for each task, clearly communicate their roles and responsibilities. This can be done through a project management tool, an email, or a team meeting. Make sure everyone is aware of their duties and the deadlines for each task.
• Keep track of everyone’s progress, and hold regular check-ins to see how each team member is doing with their assigned tasks.
• Be open to adjusting your action plan and roles as necessary. Sometimes, unforeseen challenges can arise and require you to modify your plan.

Creating a Time Frame

When working on your action plan, it’s important to establish a realistic time frame for achieving your goals. This helps you stay on track and prioritize tasks effectively. We will walk you through the process of creating a time frame for your action plan.

• First, break down your primary goal into smaller, manageable tasks. Think of these tasks as stepping stones that will lead you toward your overall objective. For example, if your goal is to start a new business, your tasks might include researching your target market, establishing a budget, and developing a marketing strategy.
• Next, assign a deadline to each task. Deadlines should be specific and set in stone but make sure to be flexible enough to adjust as necessary. Use a calendar or planner to visualize your timeline, marking important dates and milestones. For example, you could set a four-month deadline for completing market research and a six-month deadline for securing initial funding.
• To keep yourself accountable, set reminders or notifications for important deadlines. This can be done using digital tools like smartphone apps or traditional methods, such as sticky notes on your workspace. Regularly reviewing your progress and adjusting your time frame when needed will help you stay on track.
• Lastly, consider any external factors that might impact your time frame. Are there seasonal events, holidays, or industry-specific deadlines that could affect your ability to complete tasks? Factor in these considerations as you build your timeline.

Resource Allocation

When creating an action plan, resource allocation plays a major role. You’ll need to determine the resources required for each task and how they’ll be distributed among team members. This usually includes time, budget, and human resources.

• Start by estimating the time each task will take. Break tasks down into smaller chunks and allocate a specific deadline to each. This will help you prioritize tasks and balance workloads for your team members. For example, if designing a marketing campaign takes four weeks, divide it into weekly tasks like conducting market research, creating promotional materials, and setting up advertisements.
• Next, determine the budget needed to complete your project. Identify any expenses such as salaries, equipment, software, and project-related costs like travel. Create a budget for each task to avoid overspending, and allocate funds accordingly. Using our marketing campaign example, allocate separate budgets for market research tools, graphic design tools, and advertising platforms.
• Lastly, allocate human resources to tasks based on their skills and expertise. Delegate responsibilities to your team members, ensuring that everyone has a clear understanding of their role in the project. If needed, identify additional hires or outside consultants to fill gaps in your team’s expertise. For instance, if your team lacks graphic design experience, consider hiring a graphic designer or outsourcing the work to a design agency.
• 6 Examples: How to Write a Perfect Proposal Letter (Step-by-Step)
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What is an Action Plan? Learn with Templates and Examples

Planning on turning your vision into reality? And what’s your best way to avoid challenges and problems during this journey? A solid action plan.

We have outlined 6 steps explaining how to write an action plan. Once you familiarize yourself with them, go ahead and use the editable templates below to start planning right away.

What is an Action Plan?

Why you need an action plan, how to write an action plan, action plan templates.

An action plan is a specific list of tasks in order to achieve a particular goal. It can be regarded as a proposed strategy to execute a specific project to achieve a specific or general goal effectively and efficiently. It outlines steps to take and helps stay focused and organized, whether it’s personal or work-related. Breaking down the goal into smaller, manageable steps, makes it easier to stay motivated and track progress.

It’s an essential part of the strategic planning process and helps with improving teamwork planning Not only in project management, but action plans can be used by individuals to prepare a strategy to achieve their own personal goals as well.

Components of an action plan include

• A well-defined description of the goal to be achieved
• Tasks/ steps that need to be carried out to reach the goal
• People who will be in charge of carrying out each task
• When will these tasks be completed (deadlines and milestones)
• Resources needed to complete the tasks
• Measures to evaluate progress

What’s great about having everything listed down on one location is that it makes it easier to track progress and effectively plan things out.

An action plan is not something set in stone. As your organization grows, and surrounding circumstances change, you will have to revisit and make adjustments to meet the latest needs.

Sometimes businesses don’t spend much time on developing an action plan before an initiative, which, in most cases, leads to failure. If you haven’t heard, “failing to plan is planning to fail” said Benjamin Franklin supposedly once.

Planning helps you prepare for the obstacles ahead and keep you on track. And with an effective action plan, you can boost your productivity and keep yourself focused.  

Here are some benefits of an action plan you should know;

• It gives you a clear direction. As an action plan highlights exactly what steps to be taken and when they should be completed, you will know exactly what you need to do.
• Having your goals written down and planned out in steps will give you a reason to stay motivated and committed throughout the project.  
• With an action plan, you can track your progress toward your goal.
• Since you are listing down all the steps you need to complete in your action plan, it will help you prioritize your tasks based on effort and impact.

From the looks of it, creating an action plan seems fairly easy. But there are several important steps you need to follow with caution in order to get the best out of it. Here’s how to write an action plan explained in 6 easy steps.

Step 1: Define your end goal

If you are not clear about what you want to do and what you want to achieve, you are setting yourself up for failure.

Planning a new initiative? Start by defining where you are and where you want to be.

Solving a problem? Analyze the situation and explore possible solutions before prioritizing them.

Then write down your goal. And before you move on to the next step, run your goal through the SMART criteria . Or in other words, make sure that it is

• Specific – well-defined and clear
• Measurable – include measurable indicators to track progress  
• Attainable – realistic and achievable within the resources, time, money, experience, etc. you have
• Relevant – align with your other goals
• Timely – has a finishing date

Use this SMART goal worksheet to simplify this process. Share it with others to get their input as well.  

• Ready to use
• Fully customizable template
• Get Started in seconds

And refer to our easy guide to the goal-setting process to learn more about setting and planning your goals.

Step 2: List down the steps to be followed

The goal is clear. What exactly should you do to realize it?

Create a rough template to list down all the tasks to be performed, due dates and people responsible.

It’s important that you make sure that the entire team is involved in this process and has access to the document. This way everyone will be aware of their roles and responsibilities in the project.

Make sure that each task is clearly defined and is attainable. If you come across larger and more complex tasks, break them down to smaller ones that are easier to execute and manage.

Tips: Use a RACI Matrix template to clarify project roles and responsibilities, and plan projects

Step 3: Prioritize tasks and add deadlines

It’s time to reorganize the list by prioritizing the tasks . Some steps, you may need to prioritize as they can be blocking other sub-steps.

Add deadlines, and make sure that they are realistic. Consult with the person responsible for carrying it out to understand his or her capacity before deciding on deadlines.

Step 4: Set milestones

Milestones can be considered mini goals leading up to the main goal at the end. The advantage of adding milestones is that they give the team members to look forward to something and help them stay motivated even though the final due date is far away.

Start from the end goal and work your way back as you set milestones . Remember not to keep too little or too much time in between the milestone you set. It’s a best practice to space milestones two weeks apart.  

Step 5: Identify the resources needed

Before you start your project, it’s crucial to ensure that you have all the necessary resources at hand to complete the tasks. And if they are not currently available, you need to first make a plan to acquire them.

This should also include your budget. You can assign a column of your action plan to mark the cost of each task if there are any.  

Step 6: Visualize your action plan

The point of this step is to create something that everyone can understand at a glance and that can be shared with everyone.

Whether your action plan comes in the shape of a flowchart , Gantt chart , or table , make sure that it clearly communicates the elements we have identified so far – tasks, task owners, deadlines, resources, etc.

This document should be easily accessible to everyone and should be editable.

Step 7: Monitor, evaluate and update

Allocate some time to evaluate the progress you’ve made with your team.

You can mark tasks that are completed as done on this final action plan, bringing attention to how you’ve progressed toward the goal.

This will also bring out the tasks that are pending or delayed, in which case you need to figure out why and find suitable solutions. And then update the action plan accordingly.

Business action plan

You may like to read: The Easy Guide to Making a Business Plan for Presentations

Marketing action plan

Strategic action plan, corrective action plan template.

Learn more about: Corrective Action Plan template .

Additional resources: The Easy Guide to Creating a Business Contingency Plan

Simple action plan template

Any more tips on creating an action plan.

An action plan is designed to guide your way to accomplishing your goals. It turns your vision into actionable goals and steps. And it helps you stay focused and motivated.

From an individual employee in an organization to larger departments can make use of action plans to steer their way towards completing their goals.

Maybe you are about to create your very first action plan, or you are already a pro at writing them. Either way, we’d like to hear your opinions on how to write an action plan. Do share them with us in the comments section below.

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FAQs About Action Plan

What are the common mistakes to avoid when collaborating on creating an action plan.

Lack of clarity on goals: Make sure the team understands the goals and objectives of the action plan. The goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

Unclear responsibilities: Assign clear roles and responsibilities for each team member to avoid confusion and ensure accountability.

Overcomplicating the plan: Keep the action plan simple and easy to understand. Avoid adding unnecessary complexity or detail that may confuse the team.

Failure to prioritize tasks: Prioritize tasks based on their importance and urgency. This will ensure that the team focuses on the most critical tasks first.

Inadequate resources: Ensure that the team has access to the necessary resources such as time, budget, and equipment, to carry out the action plan successfully.

Lack of communication: Effective communication is crucial to the success of any action plan. Ensure that team members are regularly updated on progress and any changes to the plan.

Failure to monitor progress: Regularly monitor progress and adjust the action plan as needed to ensure that it stays on track and achieves its goals.

What are the different types of action plans?

Strategic action plan: This type of plan outlines the long-term goals and objectives of an organization, and the actions that will be taken to achieve them. It typically covers a period of several years and includes high-level strategies and initiatives.

Operational action plan: This plan focuses on the day-to-day operations of an organization, outlining the actions that will be taken to achieve short-term goals and objectives. It typically covers a period of one year or less and includes specific actions and timelines.

Project action plan: This type of plan is used for individual projects and outlines the actions that will be taken to achieve specific project goals and objectives. It includes a detailed breakdown of tasks, timelines, and responsibilities.

Sales action plan: This plan focuses on the actions that will be taken to increase sales and revenue. It includes specific strategies for marketing, sales, and customer service.

Marketing action plan: This plan outlines the actions that will be taken to promote a product or service and increase brand awareness. It includes strategies for advertising, social media, public relations, and other marketing initiatives.

Crisis management action plan: This type of plan outlines the actions that will be taken in the event of a crisis, such as a natural disaster or security breach. It includes specific protocols for communication, evacuation, and other emergency procedures.

Who can use an action plan?

An action plan can be used by anyone who wants to achieve specific goals or objectives. It is a useful tool for individuals, teams, and organizations in a variety of contexts. Here are some examples:

Individuals: An individual can use an action plan to achieve personal goals such as losing weight, completing a degree, or starting a business.

Teams: A team can use an action plan to achieve goals related to a specific project or initiative. For example, a marketing team may use an action plan to launch a new product.

Small businesses: Small businesses can use an action plan to achieve goals related to sales, marketing, operations, or finance.

Non-profit organizations: Non-profit organizations can use an action plan to achieve goals related to fundraising, volunteer recruitment, or program implementation.

Government agencies: Government agencies can use an action plan to achieve goals related to policy implementation, disaster response, or public safety.

Educational institutions: Educational institutions can use an action plan to achieve goals related to improving student outcomes, increasing enrollment, or expanding programs.

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Amanda Athuraliya is the communication specialist/content writer at Creately, online diagramming and collaboration tool. She is an avid reader, a budding writer and a passionate researcher who loves to write about all kinds of topics.

Small Business Trends

What is an action plan and how to create one + an example.

An action plan is an organized list of steps that you can take to reach a desired goal. Creating an action plan requires carefully considering resources, goals, and available time. With a well-structured action plan, you can reach your goals in the most efficient way possible. Here’s how to create an action plan – plus some helpful examples and time-saving tips to guide you during your strategic planning process.

Table of Contents

What is an Action Plan?

At one point or another, you may have a task that seems larger than life. But an action plan helps.

In essence, an action plan is a systematic, detailed blueprint, or a comprehensive document, that lays out the strategy to achieve a certain goal or set of goals. It’s similar to a roadmap, providing clear directions on how you can move from your current status to your desired state.

The concept of an action plan is not limited to any specific domain, making it a versatile tool. It can be applied in various fields such as business, education, project management, personal growth, healthcare, and so forth.

A well-crafted action plan typically encompasses several elements:

• Objective: The objective is the ultimate goal that you aim to achieve. It needs to be clear and precise. This is the “destination” you’re striving to reach, so it’s vital to define it in a way that leaves no room for ambiguity. Often, the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) is used to frame these objectives.

• Steps or Tasks: Once the goal is set, the next stage is to break it down into smaller, manageable steps or tasks. Each task should be straightforward, feasible, and should contribute directly to the attainment of the ultimate goal. For example, when you break down a large project into smaller, manageable tasks, it keeps you on track to success, and makes staying motivated in business easier during tough projects.

• Resources: For each task, you should also identify the necessary resources. These can be physical resources, such as equipment or materials, or human resources, like specific skills or personnel. By identifying these upfront, you can better plan and mitigate potential bottlenecks.

• Timeline: It’s also crucial to set a timeline for each task, which includes a start and an end date. This not only instills a sense of urgency but also helps to track progress over time. A well-planned schedule can also prevent tasks from overlapping or clashing.

• Responsibility Assignment: Each task needs a responsible person or team who will see it through to completion. Defining this ensures accountability and prevents tasks from being overlooked.

• Contingency Plan: Despite the best of planning, unforeseen circumstances may arise. Having a contingency plan prepares you for such scenarios, ensuring that your plan remains robust and flexible.

• Tracking and Evaluation: An important aspect of an action plan is tracking progress and evaluating outcomes. This step is essential as it allows you to adjust your plan as needed, based on the performance of each task or changing circumstances.

Creating an Effective Action Plan

Creating an effective action plan is an integral part of achieving any goal. In the following video, Brian Tracy, a well-known speaker and author in the field of self-development, outlines his method for formulating such a plan. Tracy’s process, built from years of experience, provides clear and practical steps that can be applied to any project or objective.

How to Write an Action Plan

An effective action plan operates as a guiding light, leading the way towards achieving specific objectives, milestones, and goals. For any project or substantial task, it can be the pivotal element that swings the balance between success and failure.

To make the process of creating an action plan easier, we’ve provided a summary table below. This table functions like a checklist, outlining clear steps and eliminating any confusion about what needs to be done next.

Having this overview can be a great starting point, but a deeper understanding of each step will further assist you in crafting a robust action plan. So let’s get started and explore each of these steps in more detail.

Step 1: Define the goal

Defining project goals is a critical first step in the action-planning process. It involves establishing a clear and concise objective that guides the rest of the plan. A well-defined goal serves as a roadmap for the team, providing direction and focus for their efforts. It also helps to keep everyone aligned and on track, ensuring that the plan is executed effectively.

To define a goal effectively, it is important to consider several key factors. First, the goal should be specific, meaning that it should clearly state what is to be achieved. Second, it should be measurable, allowing for progress to be tracked and evaluated.

Third, it should be attainable, meaning that it should be realistic and achievable given the available resources and constraints. Fourth, the goal should be relevant and aligned with the organization’s overall strategy and goals. Finally, it should have a specific timeline, with deadlines established to ensure that the goal is achieved within a reasonable period of time.

Step 2: Project management – Identify the necessary actions

This step outlines the specific tasks and activities that need to be performed in order to achieve the defined goal. It involves breaking down the goal into smaller, manageable steps and determining what needs to be done to accomplish each step. The actions should be specific, measurable, and have clear deliverables.

Project management plays a vital role in this step, as it helps to ensure that the necessary actions are planned and executed effectively. Project managers use a variety of tools and techniques to identify the necessary actions, such as creating a work breakdown structure, creating a project schedule, and identifying project dependencies.

They also work closely with the team to ensure that the necessary resources are available, that risks are identified and managed, and that progress is tracked and reported. Using project management best practices, the team can ensure that the necessary actions are performed efficiently and effectively and that the project remains on track and on schedule.

Step 3: Assign tasks and responsibilities to project managers and any person responsible

Assigning tasks and responsibilities is a key step in the action planning process, as it ensures that all the tasks have a designated person responsible for their completion. This step involves identifying who will be responsible for each of the necessary actions identified in the previous step and assigning ownership for the delivery of each task. It is important to ensure that responsibilities are clearly defined and that each person understands their role and what is expected of them.

Project managers play a central role in assigning responsibilities, as they are responsible for ensuring that the right person is assigned to each task. They work closely with team members to understand their strengths, skills, and availability, and make assignments based on this information.

They may also assign backup resources to ensure the team can complete tasks even if the primary person responsible is unavailable. It is important to remember that assigning responsibilities is a collaborative process, and that team members should have the opportunity to provide input and feedback. Employ team building exercises to promote teamwork, and provide streamlined methods for employees to communicate with managers and decision makers.

Step 4: Determine the timeline and deadlines

This step involves creating a timeline that outlines when each task should start and finish, and when milestones should be reached. The timeline should be based on the scope of the project, the availability of resources, and any other constraints. Use a calendar or gannt chart to outline the exact schedule for each step.

Having a clear timeline and deadlines helps to keep the project on track and ensures that tasks are completed in a timely manner. It also provides a clear visual representation of the project’s progress and helps to identify any potential issues or delays.

Deadlines also help to keep team members accountable and focused, as they know when they need to have their tasks completed. Deadlines also help to prioritize tasks and ensure that the most important work is completed first.

Step 5: Establish a system for monitoring progress

Establishing a system for monitoring progress provides a way to track the project’s progress and identify any issues or challenges that may arise. This step involves implementing tools, processes, and metrics that can be used to measure the project’s progress against the timeline and goals. The system for monitoring progress should be simple, efficient, and easy to use.

Having a system for monitoring progress is important for several reasons. First, it provides real-time visibility into the project’s progress, allowing the project manager and team to quickly identify any issues or challenges that may arise.

Second, it helps to keep everyone accountable and focused, as team members know that their work will be monitored and evaluated. Third, it allows for continuous improvement, as the project manager can use the data and metrics collected to identify areas for improvement and make adjustments as needed.

Step 6: Track progress, evaluate, and adjust as necessary

Evaluating and adjusting as necessary is a critical step in the action planning process, as it provides a way to ensure that the project remains on track and is executed effectively.

This step involves regularly reviewing the actual progress of the project and making any necessary adjustments to the plan, timeline, and actions. The evaluation should be based on the system for monitoring progress that was established in a previous step.

Tracking progress is an important part of this step, as it provides the data and metrics needed to evaluate the project’s progress and identify any areas for improvement. The project manager should use the system for monitoring progress to track key metrics, such as task completion rates, timeline progress, and resource utilization. This information can then be used to assess the project’s progress against the goals and timeline and to identify any areas for improvement.

By evaluating and adjusting as necessary, the project manager can ensure that the project remains on track and is executed effectively. This helps to minimize disruptions and delays and ensures that the project stays aligned with the goals and objectives.

The process of evaluating and adjusting should be continuous, with regular evaluations and progress reviews. This allows the project manager to respond quickly to any changes or challenges that may arise, and to make any necessary adjustments to keep the project moving forward. For example, you may need to employ some time saving tips or delegate to get back on schedule. Alternatively, you may need to try some new call to action examples to more effectively impact customer behavior to meet your goals.

Do I Need an Action Plan?

Everyone who has set business goals should strive for effective business planning . Without an action plan, it’s very easy to become overwhelmed by significant goals or lose sight of what perspectives should guide the decision-making process. Having an organized, realistic plan is how to stay motivated and stay focused on reaching success.

This is especially true for larger companies that are trying to navigate complex projects or launch multiple initiatives at the same time. An action plan can help them stay organized, track project progress, anticipate potential challenges, and simplify hiring .

Smaller businesses can also benefit from having an action plan, as it will provide a road map for scaling up operations in the future. An effective action plan should include strategies, resources, timelines, revenue targets , and measures of success. The business budget and cash flow should always be taken into account when creating an action plan.

Why Your Business Should Have an Action Plan

Every business should have an action plan as it’s essential to success and keeping your company on track. Here are five reasons your business needs one:

• Clarity of Purpose: An action plan lets everyone in your company know exactly what they need to accomplish, so they can stay focused and productive. Set call-to-action examples and performance expectations so everyone knows what to strive for.
• Measurable Results: Having specific goals and a timeline helps you keep track of your progress, see what’s working, and adjust plans when needed.
• Achievable Goals: Action plans make sure that you don’t set yourself up for failure by setting unrealistic objectives. Outline steps for success in manageable pieces.
• Effective Use of Resources : An action plan helps you prioritize tasks and resources, so you can get the best return on investment (ROI). Public relations strategies and campaigns are two common examples.
• Increased Accountability: By clearly defining roles, responsibilities, deadlines, and expectations, everyone involved is more accountable for their tasks and the success of the project overall.

Plan of Action Example (Template)

A well-structured action plan helps to keep the project on track and on schedule providing a clear path to success. Here’s an action plan template example you can use to inspire you for your own projects:

I. Define the goal:

A. Objective: Launch a new product line

B. SMART Goal: To launch a new product line in 6 months, generating $500,000 in revenue within the first year.

II. Identify necessary actions:

A. Conduct market research to determine the target audience and demand

B. Develop product prototypes and conduct testing

C. Create marketing materials and promotional campaigns

D. Set up the supply chain and logistics

E. Launch product through digital and physical channels

III. Assign responsibilities:

A. Market research: Marketing team

B. Product development: R&D team

C. Marketing plan , materials, and campaigns: Marketing team

D. Supply chain and logistics: Operations team

E. Product launch: Marketing and Operations teams

IV. Determine timeline and deadlines:

A. Market research: Month 1-2

B. Product development: Month 2-4

C. Marketing materials and campaigns: Month 4-5

D. Supply chain and logistics: Month 5-6

E. Product launch: Month 6

V. Establish a system for monitoring progress:

A. Key metrics: Revenue, market share, customer satisfaction

B. Tools: Project management software, weekly progress meetings

C. Progress review meetings: Every 2 weeks

VI. Evaluate and adjust as necessary:

A. Regularly review revenue and customer satisfaction data

B. Adjust marketing strategy and promotions as necessary

C. Monitor supply chain and logistics, and make adjustments as needed

D. Evaluate timeline and deadlines, and adjust as necessary to ensure a timely product launch.

Tips for Building a Fantastic Action Plan

Building an action plan is the first step to reaching your business goals. Here are five tips for creating a fantastic action plan:

• Be Clear & Specific: Make sure that everyone involved in the project understands what needs to be done and when it needs to be completed. Set measurable and achievable targets, with specific timelines and deadlines.
• Prioritize Tasks: Identify which tasks should take priority so you can focus on what’s important right now, while still having a plan for the future.
• Start Small: Break large projects down into smaller components that you can do in stages, rather than trying to accomplish everything at once. Team-building exercises are a great way to keep energy and motivation high.
• Outline Resources Needed: Research ahead of time what resources will be needed for each task and make sure you have everything in place beforehand.
• Include Room for Change: The reality is that things don’t always go as planned so be prepared to adjust timelines or objectives as needed along the way.

Action Plan Vs To-Do List

Action plans and to-do lists may seem similar at first glance, but they are two different tools that serve specific purposes. An action plan is an organized approach to achieving a goal. It helps you break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable pieces and outlines the steps you need to take in order to reach your objectives.

A to-do list is a tool used to keep track of day-to-day tasks or items that need attention. It’s typically used as a checklist for getting things done in a certain timeframe. While both can be helpful when it comes to staying organized and productive, action plans offer a more comprehensive approach to reaching longer-term goals.

Action Plan Vs Strategic Plan

An action plan and a strategic plan are two distinct frameworks used in planning and executing goals, each serving its unique function. An action plan is a detailed outline of the specific, immediate steps required to achieve a short-term objective. It focuses on the ‘how’ aspect, breaking down larger tasks into smaller, actionable items, typically with a shorter time horizon.

On the other hand, a strategic plan is a comprehensive roadmap designed for long-term goals. It involves a broader perspective, focusing on the ‘why’ behind the goals. This plan outlines the organization’s vision, mission, and core objectives over a more extended period, often including market analysis, competitive positioning, and long-term resource allocation. While action plans are more about tactical execution, strategic plans provide the overarching direction and purpose that guide these actions.

Both plans are crucial: the strategic plan sets the course, and the action plan drives the day-to-day activities needed to steer the ship towards the destination outlined in the strategic plan.

Action Plan Vs Project Plan

An action plan and a project plan are both tools used to help maintain organization and productivity when working toward a specific goal. Action plans focus on smaller tasks that need to be completed and prioritize them in an organized list.

Project plans are more comprehensive, providing an overview of all the steps required for completing a particular project. They usually include timelines, deadlines, resources needed, and other specifics. While action plans can help define the daily tasks necessary for completing a project, they should ultimately be formulated as part of the larger project plan.

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How to create an action plan template (including examples)

You have a goal in mind but haven’t yet pulled together a strategy to achieve it. An action plan template is how you’ll get from A to B. This document provides a ready-made framework for adding all the steps you need to reach your project goals. Everyone who follows the plan will understand what is expected of them, which ensures those jobs-to-be-done actually get done.

This guide explores how to write an action plan template step-by-step, with examples for inspiration. For a ready-made solution, you can dive right into monday work management’s custom action plan template.

What is an action plan?

An action plan is a detailed blueprint that outlines the steps you, your team, or your organization will take to achieve a specific goal. By sequencing each step of your plan, you’ll complete everything in order and won’t miss any vital tasks. Action plans include detailed information, such as:

• A description of each action or task to complete
• The person or assignee responsible for each action
• Due dates for each task
• Resources required to complete the action
• Space to reflect or take notes after you’ve completed a task

What is an action plan template?

An action plan template is a pre-structured document that gives you a framework for crafting your new action plan. Instead of creating your strategy from scratch every time, a practical action plan template has designated spaces for each aspect you need to cover. These might be presented in a table format like this:

Why is an action plan template important?

The benefits of using an action plan template are clear:

Action plan templates are efficient

Leaders and managers use action plan templates to speed up the strategic planning process . Rather than spending unnecessary time designing their planning documents, project managers can simply pull up their template, save a new copy—keeping the existing template intact—and get straight to work scheduling and assigning tasks.

Action plan templates are consistent

When your organization uses the same action plan template for the whole company, it’s easier for team members to interpret and understand the plan because they’re familiar with the format. The result is an organized, professional appearance.

Action plan templates aid effective planning

Action plan templates help project organizers plan more effectively by offering predefined categories and columns, reducing the chance of human error or omitting information from an action plan. And every time you add an enhancement to your template, you’ll consistently improve subsequent action plans.

Action plans are easy to track

While completing a project, you might find that some of the tasks in your task lists didn’t have clear outcomes, or you weren’t sure they were complete. Get around this by following the SMART goals framework and including a new column in your action plan template to note how you’ll measure if the task is complete.

When using an action plan template within monday work management, you can add your action plan to relevant project boards, create cross-team automation, and more—making it easier to collaborate with a distributed team in real-time.

What are the essential features of an effective action plan template?

Action plan templates should contain the following features:

• Multiple views , including tables, timelines, Kanban boards, and Gantt charts to visualize tasks.
• Task notifications to detail and assign tasks to team members.
• Structured layouts to plan tasks based on priority, status, and resource allocation.
• Collaboration space to maintain notes, comments, and files in one place.
• Automations to update task status and notify owners.
• Status columns to show the current status, such as Stuck, Working on it, and Done.
• Dashboards to track overall progress, timelines, and budgets.

What is the difference between an action plan and a project plan?

A project plan is more detailed than an action plan. Both list the tasks, timelines, and resources required to achieve a desired goal. Project plans also include:

• Project goals and objectives
• Project milestones and deliverables
• Project scope and budget
• Project roles and responsibilities
• Project stakeholders and communication schedule
• Project risk mitigation and contingency plans
• Project success criteria

But it’s not an either-or situation. Instead of choosing one over the other, simply create an action plan from your project plan to outline the steps required to achieve your project goals.

What are the key elements of a well-written action plan?

A well-written action plan consists of these components:

• Goals : Define what the action plan aims to accomplish.
• Steps : Detail the actions required to achieve each goal.
• Items : Determine the task dependencies and priorities.
• Timeline : Map out the schedule and milestones from start to finish.
• Resources : Identify the people, tools, and budget required.
• Responsibilities : Assign tasks to an individual or a team.
• KPIs : Track metrics against key performance indicators to assess outcomes and ensure alignment with goals.
• Review : Monitor the overall progress of action items completed.

10 types of action plan templates

Project action plan templates can fall into different themes based on the goal you have in mind. Here are some examples of action plan templates you might use within or outside of your business:

1. Action item templates

Action items typically look like to-do lists with a little extra context. Your template might include a row for each action item with columns to define their:

• Unique identification number
• Priority levels
• Status updates
• Completion percentages
• Attachments

2. Corrective action plan templates

Corrective action plan templates focus on the steps involved in overcoming something that’s having a negative impact on your business. For example, IT teams might use this template to resolve a system failure. Typically, this template will include the following fields:

• Problem statement
• Desired outcome
• Action steps
• Stakeholders
• Progress updates
• Constraints
• Metrics for completion

3. Performance improvement plan (PIP) templates

Performance improvement plan templates are an important part of the employee appraisal process. They focus on developing a proactive strategy for dealing with your workers’ ongoing performance or behavioral issues. This template might include:

• Employee name, role, and title
• Manager name
• Performance concern
• Performance goal
• Review rating
• Improvements made
• Goal progress

4. Mutual action plan templates

A mutual action plan template is a collaborative space for two or more parties to outline shared goals, steps, and responsibilities to achieve a specific outcome. This type of template includes:

• Shared objectives
• Key milestones and deadlines
• Detailed action steps
• Specific roles and tasks assigned to each party
• KPIs and success criteria
• Review schedule

5. Marketing action plan templates

A marketing action plan template serves as a roadmap for executing marketing campaigns or initiatives. It ensures all team members are aligned, have sufficient resource allocations, and can easily track their shared progress. This template might include:

• Marketing objective
• Target audience
• Timeline for completion and review
• Responsible parties

5. Sales action plan templates

A sales action plan template is a source of truth for sales professionals who need to hit specific revenue targets within a specific timeframe.

Customize your template to match your workflows and sales objectives based on the following fields:

• Executive summary
• Business goals and revenue targets
• Performance analysis
• Market and industry overview
• Strategy and tactic refinement
• Customer segmentation
• Individual team member plans

7. Microsoft Word action plan templates

Users accustomed to the Microsoft ecosystem may prefer creating action plan templates in Microsoft Word. Based on a table format, you’ll customize the template according to the number of rows and columns you need.

You’ll make a copy of the template to edit for each new action plan, then save it as a PDF or Word document. From here, you can store it in a shared drive for team members to collaborate on, email it to various stakeholders, or attach it to your monday work management board where it’ll slide straight into your workflow.

8. Microsoft Excel action plan templates

Microsoft Excel action plan templates work in much the same way as their Word counterparts. Instead of inserting tables, you’ll use Excel’s natural framework of columns and rows to create a customized template.

The added advantage is you might use built-in formulas to calculate progress and performance for tasks, milestones, or projects assigned to each team member.

9. Business action plan templates

A business action plan template allows you to check off activities as you work toward a specific business goal. The action plan below details the primary goal, with the first column dedicated to a breakdown of each action required.

( Image source )

For example, if your business goal was to design and launch a new website, your activities might include:

• Gathering design assets
• Choosing a color scheme
• Copywriting for new website pages
• Assembling design and development teams
• Creating design wireframes
• Design and development
• Launch and promotion

The penultimate column in this action plan template notes potential hazards or roadblocks that might get in the way of achieving your goals. Use this section to plan workarounds.

10. Personal development action plan templates

Typically, action plans are used in a business context. But a personal development template can be a handy task management tool to help you stay motivated and work toward your goals outside of work. The template below allows you to break down your actions into a step-by-step sequence and includes a “How will I know I’ve been successful?” column to ensure the actions you select have a clear outcome.

How to write an action plan in 8 steps

If you’ve never created an action plan before, follow these manageable steps:

Step 1. Determine your goals

First, you need to understand what you’re trying to achieve. Then, make this goal as specific as possible. For example, “increase sales” is too vague. “Increase sales by 20% in quarter three” is more specific and allows you to set a metric for achieving it.

Step 2. Break down the steps required to achieve each goal

Determine the necessary actions to reach your goal. In this example, that might include:

• Hire three new sales development representatives
• Increase content marketing budget by $20,000
• Implement a new sales training program for new hires

Step 3. Determine task dependencies and priorities

Remember: you can’t do everything at once! After you’ve broken down a big goal into bite-sized chunks, figure out the perfect order for completing the tasks. In the above example, you need to hire new sales representatives before starting a sales training program.

Step 4. Set milestones

Now, set some milestones  for significant events or checkpoints along the project. Some typical milestones are:

• Completion of a substantial task or phase of the project
• A significant event, such as a product launch
• Important meetings, like customer review meetings

Step 5. Add deadlines

When do you need to complete each task? Setting deadlines for each task helps your team stay on track and highlights if your timeline for the larger goal is realistic.

Step 6. Identify your required resources

What’s keeping you from completing these manageable tasks? What do you require, perhaps from leadership or another team, to meet or exceed your goals? In our sales team example, the HR department might help us advertise an open role and attract new applicants.

Step 7. Assign tasks to individuals

Who is responsible for each action? Assign a clear task owner to each task. Ownership doesn’t just make someone feel accountable; it empowers them to take the initiative and solve problems without dragging in management at every twist and turn.

Step 8. Agree on a plan to review progress

Before you jump in and start your project, determine how you’ll measure progress toward your goals. For example:

• Will you review your action plan every day or every week?
• Will the task assignees or the project leader be responsible for updating the plan to reflect progress?
• How will you use technology to automate your review and keep all team members in the loop?

Determining these answers upfront means the action plan remains a living document reflecting actual progress.

Kick-start your projects with monday work management’s action plan template

As you’ve seen in the examples above, the typical action plan format is a PDF or Microsoft document. While this is fine for goal setting and creating the plan itself, it’s not so great for putting it into action.

That’s why we’ve purpose-built a flexible, customizable, intuitive action plan template to use with monday work management. Once you have buy-in from your team, here are the features that’ll put your plans into action:

• Multiple views : Use Table, Timeline, and Kanban Views to visualize the action items and overall plan details you need to succeed.

• Integrations : monday work management integrates with 72+ third-party tools, such as Slack, Gmail, or Microsoft products which allow teams to sync documents or send real-time notifications based on your action items.

• Automation : Design custom automations based on triggers, conditions, and actions. For example, when a team member checks an action item completion box, this could trigger the next action item to be assigned to a colleague.

• Progress tracking : Track progress with custom status columns and labels so you can easily see what tasks are in progress, at risk, or completed. Built-in reporting capabilities will also give you an overview of your team’s progress toward achieving the goals outlined in your action plan.

• Collaboration : Comment and collaborate on action items to keep your plan moving forward. Tag team members, attach images or documents for extra context, and keep all discussions in a central location.

Get your free action plan template in monday work management

monday work management is a collaborative and productive space that helps teams and companies of any size reach shared goals quicker. Our action plan template is just one of the ways you can use our platform to streamline your essential business processes.

With a G2 software community score of 4.7 out of 5 , here’s how one small business reviewer describes our templates:

I like the fact that I can use a template or build my own tables and also link them. I love the easy filters and the fact I can have different views. I also like the charts and graphs that are available and the fact that I can easily add to my task list or update anything on my mobile out of office hours. I love the status column and also the automations on my task lists and campaigns.

Ready to use a repeatable process to hit your project goals on time, every time? Get our action plan template today.

FAQs about action plans

What’s the difference between an action plan and a to-do list.

As key components of goal management, action plans and to-do lists are frequently confused. A to-do list is a list of tasks to complete, but they’re not sequenced or even connected to the same goal. An action plan outlines the specific steps and activities that must occur to complete a common goal.

What's the difference between an action plan and a strategic plan?

An action plan and a strategic plan are essential for an organization’s long-term and short-term planning. A strategic plan outlines an organization’s vision for the future by prioritizing goals, making resourcing decisions, and uniting employees. On the other hand, an action plan makes the strategic plan operational by providing detailed instructions on how to accomplish those goals.

What’s the difference between an action plan and an implementation plan?

An implementation plan and an action plan are essential documents that help teams execute a project successfully. An action plan focuses on the specific tasks needed to achieve a goal, while an implementation plan is more holistic, outlining the steps, teams, and resources required to execute a project successfully.

What are the 3 parts of an action plan?

Successful action plans incorporate the following three Ws: what, who, and when. As you design your plan, decide “what” you want to accomplish, “who” is responsible for accomplishing it, and “when” you must accomplish it.

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What is an action plan? Steps, template, and examples

Editor’s note : This blog was updated 27 June 2023 to add more information about action plans, including examples of the types of organizations that can use action plans and an in-depth example study. The action plan template was also updated.

Have a thoughtfully laid-out product roadmap? Great! What’s next?

It’s time to make things happen and turn your product vision into reality.

As a product manager, you’re akin to an orchestrator, juggling multiple hats that need different levels of skill and communication — the glue that brings everything together. One of the most important things you need to get started is an action plan.

What is an action plan?

An action plan is a guiding document and work breakdown structure that outlines all the tasks that need to be completed so you can achieve your product goals.

An action plan is like a music sheet: if you have a defined set of notes, you know exactly what the music is going to sound like.

As the product manager, you need to be able to define the set of tasks in sequential order, considering dependencies and priorities, that will help you complete your project in the quickest, most efficient way possible.

What is an action plan example?

Action plans do not all have to be for complicated products or things — they can be for easy, short-term plans as well. For example, say a product team at a stationery company wants to introduce a new pen model. Their action plan could involve defining the new model’s design, sourcing materials, setting up manufacturing processes, determining marketing strategies, and setting a timeline for the product launch.

Another example could be a clothing brand apparel brand plans to launch a new, sustainable line. This action plan could include researching sustainable materials and manufacturing processes, designing the clothing line, determining pricing strategies, planning the marketing campaign to emphasize the sustainability angle, and coordinating the product launch across various sales channels.

As you can see, action plans don’t always have to be for complex software products. We’ll walk through an example later in the article more suited toward a digital tech product, but the point is that every team can use an action plan no matter what their product is!

How an action plan complements your product strategy

It’s important to note that an action plan and product strategy are not the same thing. Product strategy defines the high-level direction of what will make a product successful and a general idea of how to get there. An action plan is created from an execution standpoint and is not meant to define product strategy.

However, a good action plan should incorporate a long-term product strategy that aligns with business goals. Taking action that doesn’t ultimately lead to achieving your goals is simply unnecessary and a drain on your resources. A smart action plan embraces the fact that business goals and product priorities can change along the way, making it crucial to create a plan that is flexible and allows you to pivot with minimal disruptions.

All in all, an action plan (especially when finely tuned and strategic) complements your product strategy by providing an actionable roadmap to success. As mentioned earlier, while the product strategy paints the high-level vision for what will make a product successful, the action plan breaks this down into tactical steps — think of it as the bridge between the strategy and actual implementation. It’s important to clarify that a well-crafted action plan does not aim to redefine the product strategy but gives a path to execute it.

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How to create an action plan in 5 steps

Creating an action plan is a logical exercise, much like putting the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle together. It’s just that sometimes, you don’t have the jigsaw pieces readily available, so you have to do some digging to find them first.

Whether you’re using pen and paper or a more sophisticated project management tool such as Jira or Confluence, it’s important to write down your action plan so you can get everyone on the same page (literally) and reference it later.

The steps to writing an effective action plan are as follows:

• Define goals
• Build your framework and task list
• Define roles and responsibilities
• Communicate and get feedback
• Update your action plan

1. Define goals

The most important step in creating an action plan is to define the goals you want to achieve through that plan. This isn’t exclusively about launching a new product feature or enhancing user experience, you can equally use an action plan to reinforce security measures or diminish your product’s tech debt. The goals can be big or small, but defining them clearly is crucial.

To ensure these goals are robust and measurable, incorporate data metrics as your success indicators and set feasible timelines. The more precise and data-centric your goals, the more actionable they become. For example: Increase net-new users by X percent through the release of Y new feature by the end of Q3.

2. Build your framework and task list

Now that you have your goals defined, work backward from your goals and think about all the different pieces you need to reach them.

When dealing with so many moving parts, it’s important to create a structure for them. We call this the work breakdown structure.

Essentially, this involves dissecting the project into smaller, manageable tasks. Organize these tasks into groups and create dependencies and communication links between them. This forms the framework you can use to fully build out your action plan.

The framework will help you create a holistic execution plan and force you to think about the things that you possibly could have missed. No two companies are alike, so create a detailed framework that works for you and your company.

Example action plan framework

Here’s an example of a simple, high-level framework for a process-oriented action plan that’s ideal for software companies:

• Product scoping
• Technical scoping
• UI/UX design
• Development
• Release and review

Product scoping — Gather product requirements through product analytics, customer discovery, cross-functional collaboration and internal feedback, competitive and market trends, and any other source that brings insights into the product you’re building. Consider how your product will impact existing customers, other products, teams, revenue streams, etc. within your company.

Technical scoping — Once you have the product requirements nailed down, having technical scoping discussions helps to understand technical feasibility and dependencies better.

UI/UX design — Create prototypes according to user experience and design best practices. This will help validate technical feasibility, customer usability, and alignment with product strategy.

Development — Now that we have a solid set of requirements that are ready to be developed, you can create further action plans specifically for development in collaboration with your engineering manager(s) . Together with your engineering leaders, break down the development phase into manageable chunks of work, taking into account technical dependencies and the sequential order of how the tasks must be developed.

Testing — Once your product is developed, it’s time to test it. Engage a variety of stakeholders to test your product. More feedback means more insights into how customers will perceive and use your product.

Release and review — Releasing a new product feature can be nerve-wracking. Having a release checklist to go with your action plan can be helpful. Think about all the things that need to be put in place before the release, including communicating with other stakeholders (e.g., support, marketing, sales, leadership, etc.). Once you release, review customer feedback to find ways to improve your product.

Once you have your framework, create a detailed list of tasks for each stage. Support each task with a written description of what the task entails and what defines it as completed . Reach out to your team members to help you understand each task better and include any other details that you think are relevant.

3. Define roles and responsibilities

Use the framework as a point of reference to manage your resources. Resources can make or break your project, so it’s important to manage them as efficiently as possible.

In collaboration with your engineering manager, establish the team that will be working on the specific project. Define the roles and responsibilities of each team member and make sure everyone understands how they are expected to contribute to the project.

Assign tasks to team members accordingly and help them understand the scope of their tasks. It’s also important to collaboratively set up deadlines for tasks and then hold them accountable to those timelines.

4. Communicate and gather feedback

You now have a well-established action plan. You know who is doing what, when, and how it all leads up to achieving the goals of your action plan. But there are always caveats.

For instance, sometimes you make assumptions before validating, or you’re just not aware of something that can become a problem later on. The list of potential nags is literally endless.

To avoid this, communicate your action plan to your core team, management, cross-functional stakeholders, and other team members to gather feedback. Being open to feedback is critical to learning and growing. Incorporating feedback will build your own credibility and will help evolve the process of creating action plans.

5. Update your action plan

The only constant is change. As market trends and business strategies evolve, you have to be ready to pivot. This can put a damper on your well-established action plans.

Acknowledging this and building flexibility into your action plans will help you keep projects on track. Create milestones or checkpoints in your action plans; this will enable you to make informed decisions on how best to pivot when the need arises.

As things change, update your action plan and communicate at the earliest possible to the project team, as well as any other stakeholder that needs to be in the loop.

Action plan in-depth example: Improving user engagement with a new feature

Let’s walk through a specific (and realistic) example product managers may face — improving user engagement by releasing a new feature. Specifically, let’s say you’re working on a news app and have been seeing declining user engagement recently. You’re not exactly sure why, but think that introducing a personalization feature might increase engagement. Following the steps outlined to create an action plan, the process would look like this:

The primary goal is to increase user engagement by 20 percent over the next two quarters. You’ll do this by introducing a personalization feature that tailors content to the individual user’s interests — something that we believe our competitors are doing already.

This will be measured by tracking metrics such as session duration, number of articles read per session, and click-through rates on personalized content suggestions.

You’ll use the simple, high-level framework we outlined to build the task list.

Product scoping — Conduct market research to understand user preferences for personalized content and see how our competitors are currently doing it.

Technical scoping — Collaborate with the technical team to assess the feasibility of implementing personalization algorithms, dependencies, and any potential challenges. This step may include meetings with data scientists and backend developers.

UI/UX design — Design the user interface for the personalized content feed. It could include the location of the personalized feed on the home screen, a section for users to choose their interests, etc. This step will involve creating wireframes, developing prototypes, and conducting user testing to validate the design.

Development — Implement the personalization feature, including the development of the algorithm, changes to the backend to handle user data securely, and the frontend changes to display personalized content.

Testing — Extensively test the new feature for usability, security, learning curve, etc.

Release and review — Plan the release of the new feature, and consider a soft launch with a small user group to collect early feedback. After the release, continue to collect user feedback to identify any needs for improvement.

For the sake of our example, let’s assume all of the team members have availability to help. The product manager will work on the product scoping phase and coordinate with the technical team for technical scoping, UX designers will handle the UI/UX design phase, developers and data scientists will work on developing the personalization algorithm and integrating it with the app during the development phase, etc.

4. Communicate and get feedback

The plan is then shared with all stakeholders — the core team, senior management, executives, and other teams impacted by this feature. You’ll get their feedback and make the necessary amendments. You’ll also use project management tools to ensure everyone has a clear understanding of the action plan and their roles.

Lastly, you’ll set up regular reviews to monitor progress and make necessary changes in the plan as we encounter new information or challenges.

Action plan template

Now that you have a foundational understanding of what to include in an action plan and how to write one, where do you start?

This action plan template is designed to help you keep track of tasks, resources, dependencies, and progress in a single, easy-to-read, and even easier-to-update spreadsheet:

To customize the action plan template for your next project, click here and select File > Make a copy from the main menu at the top of the page.

5 tips to build an action plan that drives value

A rushed or incomplete action plan will lead to stress and frustration down the road. Here are five best practices to help you create an effective and efficient action plan:

• Create multiple action plans
• Identify milestones and critical tasks
• Communicate early and often
• Embrace technology
• Continuously improve your processes

1. Create multiple action plans

Action plans can get pretty daunting for bigger projects. Don’t overwhelm yourself; use the same concept as the work breakdown structure.

Start by creating a holistic, high-level action plan that encompasses the entire project. Then, take each part of that plan and break it down further, and so on.

You can create individual action plans for each part of the high-level action plan. You may also need to do this for specific parts of the project if they have a lot of dependencies or require many people to collaborate with each other.

2. Identify milestones and critical tasks

When you have numerous tasks, you might have trouble managing them all.

Identifying milestones and critical tasks can bring visibility to the most important parts of the action plan. Make sure you have the right stakeholders in the room when discussing these.

Celebrating milestones is also a great way to improve the morale of the team.

3. Communicate early and often

No matter how detailed your action plans are, if you are not able to communicate them properly to the project team, it will be difficult to achieve your goals.

Keep the communication continuously flowing and keep an eye out for blockers. As the product manager, you need to work with the team to remove obstacles and keep things moving along.

Communication also goes a long way to align the team during change management .

4. Embrace technology

Technology can make our lives so much easier when we know how to apply it in the right ways.

There are many software tools that can help you create, document, and manage your action plans. Assess your needs and experiment with free trials to gauge which tool suits your process the best.

If paid software is too far out of the picture at the moment, you can simply use Google Sheets/Docs or Microsoft Excel/Word to create your action plan. Click here for a simple action plan template in Google Docs.

5. Continuously improve your processes

Small things that are done to better the process eventually add up and create drastic efficiencies over time.

Make time for feedback and introspection loops. Find ways to incorporate relevant feedback and distribute the knowledge. Monitor for process patterns and areas that need improvement and discuss with the team how you can make the overall process better for everybody.

Collaborate with the team to make improvements incrementally and continuously .

The framework and process for creating and managing action plans can vary based on the project and team. As long as you have action plans documented and communicate regularly with relevant stakeholders, you will be able to get things done efficiently.

Remember, as the orchestrator (product manager), you need your music sheet (action plan) and your orchestra (project team) to align, and you’ve got yourself a fantastic concert (product)!

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How to Create an Effective Action Plan (Examples & Templates)

Written by: Raja Mandal

Since you're here, you might be struggling to achieve your personal, professional or company goals. And if you think an action plan is just what you need to help you create a clear path for reaching your goals, you're absolutely right!

An effective action plan is critical, whether sending out weekly email newsletters, putting together a presentation, or executing a marketing plan or business plan . However, creating an action plan from scratch can be even more troublesome if you don’t know how to do it.

Fortunately, with Visme’s action plan templates , anyone can create an effective action plan in minutes.

Continue reading to discover what exactly an action plan is, why you need one, how to create one and some template examples that you can use it for inspiration.

Table of Contents

What is an action plan and why do you need one, why do you need an action plan, how to create an effective action plan.

• 10 Action Plan Templates To Help You Execute Projects

As the name suggests, an action plan is the set of tasks or activities you need to complete to achieve a goal or complete a project. You can think of it as a timeline, a list of actionable steps, people responsible for each of them and who follows the progress of each step to come up with the best results.

This single document can help you plan and monitor activities, identify the resources needed, and how and when they should be used to ultimately achieve your stated goal.

Now, you might be wondering the difference between an action plan and a to-do list. The most significant difference between these two is that to-do lists are ongoing and include tasks for different goals and projects. On the flip side, an action plan is focused on a specific goal within a limited time frame.

The purpose of creating an action plan:

• Consumer Complaint Investigation
• Project Management
• Risk and Opportunity Management
• Product Launch
• Daily Meetings
• Market Research

According to a recent study, those who finish their business plan are twice as likely to succeed in their business than those who have no business plan. So, plan to be prepared for the obstacles ahead and keep yourself on track.

And an effective action plan helps you boost your productivity and keep yourself focused. Here are some of the reasons why you need an action plan.

Get a Clear Direction

An action plan highlights the steps you should take and the timeframe to complete them. Therefore, you will get a clear direction of what to do in order to achieve your goals. So, whenever you stress yourself about the next steps or the actions taken in the past, you have everything in hand.

Keep Everyone On the Same Track

An effective action plan can bring every team member or stakeholder on the same page. It can be an individual who is an expert in the area of work, the one who is experiencing the problem and stands to benefit from the change, or who can contribute towards the goal or project.

Get a Better Clarification of the Timeframe

Every action in your action plan should have an exact completion date. Once you assign all the tasks that need to be done to achieve your goal and understand the requirements of resources for it, you can quickly figure out how long the overall action plan will take.

Measure Your Success

Measuring the success of the progress of your goal is another crucial benefit of using an action plan. For example, if an objective is to write an action plan, there may be many steps towards that goal, including understanding the design process, writing the text, branding and many others.

You can measure each of these steps to ensure you achieve the goals and contribute to the larger objective of creating an action plan.

Learning to create an action plan might seem daunting at first, but it’s worth the effort to keep yourself productive towards the goal later on. Though there is no universal formula to create an action plan, and they may differ in terms of tasks and timelines, you can follow the simple steps below to create one.

Define S.M.A.R.T. Goals

The most important ingredients you need to create an effective action plan are the goals you want to achieve. Since you are reading this, you might have already defined goals. But, if you haven’t, use the SMART method to create specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound goals.

Use the infographic below to understand a SMART goal and try to create yours accordingly.

Once you have set SMART goals, you are already halfway through achieving them. If you struggle with creating SMART goals, use the worksheet template below.

RELATED: 17 Goal-Setting Worksheets & Templates to Help You Succeed

Prepare the List of Actions

Now, prepare a list of actions you need to take to reach your goal. It would be better to divide your main goal into smaller actionable steps to make the final goal less overwhelming and get closer to achieving your goal one step at a time.

However, make sure that the actions are realistic and relevant to your goal. For example, if you want to generate 30% more leads, some of your actions could be creating engaging content, optimizing your web pages, asking for referrals, and many others.

Identify and Allocate Resources

Before creating the action plan, you must identify all the resources required to complete the tasks. Some of the resources you need will include money, equipment, personnel, tools and others. And if you don’t have the resources available at the moment, you need to make a plan to acquire them.

Once you have your resources, allocate them to the right people. For example, suppose you are running a digital marketing campaign. In that case, you will need to have the applications and tools for content production, graphic design, and marketing analytics and hand them over to your content manager, social media manager and SEO manager.

Set the Deadline

As we have already discussed, the goals should be SMART. And here, T stands for time-bound, which means that you should have a start and finish date to achieve your goal. If you don’t do it, you are likely to never reach the goal.

Therefore, choose a specific deadline so the other team members involved can plan better for the execution of the action plan.

Additionally, you can break one large goal into smaller subgoals and set an individual deadline for each of them. For example, if you want to generate 30% more leads by the end of Q4 this year, you can set subgoals such as:

• Upload first YouTube video by X date.
• Publish 250 blog posts by X date.
• Host 25 webinars by X date.

Create a Visual Representation

Now, let’s move to the part where you will actually materialize your action plan. Creating a visual representation of the action plan is the best way to engage your team so that everyone knows the plan well.

But designing an action plan from scratch is not an easy task. Visme is there to help you design the action plan without stressing yourself out for the design part. Follow the steps below to visualize your action plan.

Pick a Template

Visme offers a wide range of professionally designed action plan templates for various business types and use cases. Choose a template from the library that suits your needs or that you can easily customize a little to create your very own action plan.

Input Your Text and Data

Now, edit the empty fields to fill in your objectives, tasks, deadline, budget, and many others. Click on one of the text boxes and start typing to insert your text or replace any pre-existing text with your own.

Change the Colors and Fonts

Customize the appearance of your action plan further by changing the colors and fonts. Select the element you want to change color for and use the color picker tool to change the color according to your need.

Once you are done with the colors, you can now change the font style, color and size. Double click on the text that you want to change the font for and use the editor on top to do it.

Use your brand colors and brand fonts in the action plan to perfectly represent your brand. Visme lets you save your brand assets so that you get customized templates according to your brand guidelines at your fingertips.

Watch the video below to learn more about setting up your brand identity kit in Visme.

Incorporate Icons and Illustrations

Icons and illustrations are the essential part of visually expressing actions and ideas. Add relevant icons and illustrations or swap out the ones included to ensure they match your action plan. Visme offers thousands of professionally crafted icons and illustrations that you can use in your design.

Additionally, take your design to the next level effortlessly by incorporating 3D animated assets in your action plan.

Collaborate with Your Team

To make the most of your action plan, ensure that you include all the team members that you think can contribute to the success of your plan. Start collaborating with your team and effectively create stunning designs right inside Visme.

Check out the video tutorial below to learn more about it.

Share Your Action Plan

Once you are satisfied with your action plan, you can share it with your team members. Download the action plan as a high-resolution JPG or PNG image file or share it via a link. If you want to publish your action plan on a website to blog, generate an embedded link and paste it wherever you want.

Monitor the Progress

Track your progress regularly and ensure that each step in your action plan is completed on time. You can use an internal reporting system or hold regular meetings to track progress. Mark tasks that are completed as done on the action plan to bring them to the attention of your team members.

This will help you better understand the pending or delayed tasks for which you need to find solutions. Finally, keep updating the action plan regularly according to your progress. With Dynamic Fields , it's easy to keep your action plan, and all other projects, updated. Once you input data into a dynamic field, it will change across all projects it’s used in.

If you are considering the action plan for a project, you can also opt for project management plan templates to keep track of your project progress and ensure a smooth operation.

Additionally, Visme offers a wide variety of other documents such as status reports , marketing plans , sales plans , project plans , organizational charts and many more.

10 Action Plan Templates to Help You Execute Projects

1. marketing action plan.

Planning marketing and promotional activities are critical aspects of your business process as they help you achieve your business goals and grow your business. If you are a marketer, you should plan activities each month and compare them with your expected results.

This action plan template can help you track the actual results of those activities and help you with your future plans. Whether your marketing objective is increasing sales or brand awareness , you can use this template as a part of your overall marketing plan .

2. 90-Day Action Plan

The position of C.E.O. comes with high expectations. With the unknowns of a new role in a new organization, the pressure to perform and the need to be accepted as a new leader by the team, it can be challenging to know where to start.

Use this 90-day action plan to understand your new organization, its target market, functional interdependencies, growth opportunities, and much more.

3. Employee Corrective Action Plan

As a business owner, you need to take corrective actions when the goals and objectives are not in line with your expectations and the process starts experiencing flaws. An employee corrective action plan is one of the crucial ones of them.

This often happens when the employee lacks key skills or doesn’t understand your organizational processes or objectives. An employee corrective action plan template like the one below allows you to record the disciplinary action that needs to be taken and suggest improvements and comments.

4. Project Action Plan

When starting or running a new project like website designing or anything else, you need to juggle many things at once. Use this website design project action plan to ensure that the project goes more smoothly.

It gives you complete visibility of the objectives, tasks and the given timeframe, making it easier for you to organize teams, assign tasks, track performance and measure the execution of the project.

Additionally, learn more about how Visme can help you better manage projects .

5. S.M.A.R.T Action Plan

You might already know that SMART goals push you further, giv1425287609es you a sense of direction and help you organize and reach your goals. Imagine what will happen if you combine your SMART goals with the action plan. Every action you take will be completely aligned with the specific goal.

This action plan template helps you do just that. Edit this template and add your SMART goal and the action steps altogether.

6. Emergency Action Plan

As a business owner, you must always be prepared for emergencies while running the business. These emergencies include hazardous materials spills, fires, natural disasters, and many others. The most effective way of handling a crisis situation is to prepare in advance by creating an emergency action plan.

The emergency action plan template helps you prepare the evacuation plan for your workplace in the event of a natural disaster. Edit this template or use it as is to do as much as possible to keep your employees safe in case of disaster.

7. Disciplinary Action Plan

The goal of a disciplinary action plan is to warn employees about what is and is not acceptable behavior in the workplace. This is mainly provided to employees during the onboarding process, but you can also use it for existing employees.

Edit this template by filling out the empty spaces with the necessary information and hand it over to the employee you want to warn of unacceptable behavior.

8. 30-60-90 Day Action Plan

The 30 60 90 day action plan is a structured way of enlisting goals and strategies in 3 steps timeline. Project managers, new hires, sales executives, and many other professionals can use this template to plan the company’s objectives and ensure that the goals are met.

This action plan template includes a 90-day action plan for a tech project split into three parts. The first 30 days show the initial steps, such as discussing project breakdown and planning with clients. Similarly, the next 60 and 90 days include other crucial actions such as quality assurance, bug fixes, feature rollout, final launch, KPI tracking, updates and many more.

9. 30-Day Action Plan

Like the 30-60-90 day action plan, the 30-day action plan is a set of steps that you need to take within 30 days to achieve the specific goal. If the project is going to take not more than 30 days or if you want to finish the project in 30 days, this action plan template is perfect for you.

This action plan template also lets you break down the project into three smaller parts to make the actions more realistic and effective. Edit this template to create the perfect 30-day action plan for any type of project you want.

10. Sales Action Plan

Create a colorful sales action plan using this template. It will help you explain how you will operate and manage the sales process to skyrocket your sales. Set goals to manage your inventory, project sales, expenses, timeline and many others.

Furthermore, the template allows you to set different plans for online and in-store sales, making the template a must-have for your overall sales plan.

Learn more about how Visme can help you close more sales and take your business to the next level.

Create Your Action Plan Using Visme

Are you ready to create an effective action plan and track your progress while executing and running projects? Choose your favorite action plan template from the list above and start editing it using Visme’s professional document creator .

Almost every part of these templates is editable and the easy-to-use drag and drop tool helps you create action plans in a few clicks.

Sign-up for a free account in Visme today and your action plans are just a few clicks away.

Design an effective action plan quickly and easily using Visme.

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About the Author

Raja Antony Mandal is a Content Writer at Visme. He can quickly adapt to different writing styles, possess strong research skills, and know SEO fundamentals. Raja wants to share valuable information with his audience by telling captivating stories in his articles. He wants to travel and party a lot on the weekends, but his guitar, drum set, and volleyball court don’t let him.

How to Write and Develop an Action Plan for Your Small Business

6 min. read

Updated October 29, 2023

Taking action at the appropriate time is critical to turning your visions into a viable reality. However, doing so without a proper strategy can be a recipe for disaster. 

A well-designed and concrete action plan that weighs all the benefits and possible challenges is the key to executing your vision successfully. Furthermore, it makes tracking progress easier, which in turn helps you attain your goals. 

Whether it’s a business, personal, or career goal you are going after, the right action plan can be your roadmap to success. A comprehensive plan details all the information regarding your objectives and projects, such as the resources required, the complexity level of tasks, etc.

Let’s figure out how you can build one to achieve your goals successfully and efficiently.

• What is an action plan and why is it important?

An action plan serves as a trajectory for the tasks or steps you need to accomplish to reach your goals and objectives. It is a crucial part of your strategic process that helps you improve teamwork planning significantly. Also, a proper action plan allows you to manage projects efficiently.

You have all the essential information in a centralized location that your team can access, making it easier for everybody to monitor progress and plan things successfully. As your company grows and circumstances change, you can revisit and make modifications to meet your latest requirements.

Planning of action items helps you prepare for any obstacles ahead. You’re your teams on track while ensuring impactful results. Furthermore, it also boosts your productivity and keeps everybody focused on urgent tasks.  

Here are some of the reasons why an action plan is vital for you:

• It gives you a clear sense of direction by highlighting precisely the steps you need to take when you need to take that and what it will help you accomplish 
• Having your objectives and goals on paper with structured steps keeps the team members motivated and dedicated throughout the project
• You can gauge your and member’s progress and contribution toward the collective goals
• You can turn your visions into reality, increase accountability and efficiency within your organization

How to create an effective action plan 

When it comes to creating an action plan, various practical methods and tools can help you develop a robust action program. Begin by following this straightforward 7-step strategy.

Following these steps for structuring your action plan incidentally also acts as a brilliant roadmap for your idea’s overall presentation and can effectively create a clear goal.

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1. Define your scope

It is essential to define your scope, create a roadmap, and align it with your strategic planning . Make sure your actions guide you toward company goals. Start by gauging how your team members can contribute and help you achieve your objectives.

If you don’t have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve, it might be challenging for you to plan a new initiative. Defining your current status and where you see your company helps you analyze the situation, explore potential solutions and implement strategies successfully.

2. Set S.M.A.R.T. goals

S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound) objectives or goals is a method of objective setting that enables employees and managers to set, monitor, and achieve their long-term and short-term goals. This approach brings tractability and structure together.

Once you map out your plan, scope, and aim to accomplish, the next step requires you to set well-defined goals and measurable tools. Create a template to highlight all the tasks that your team needs to perform and deadlines.

It is vital to make sure that your entire team is on the same page, involved in the process, and has access to the document. This way, the projects become manageable while also boosting team productivity.

Furthermore, ensure that the tasks are attainable. If you have more complex tasks, it’s essential to break them down into manageable parts for easy execution. 

3. Visualize your plan

Once you plan on the action items, prioritize tasks, and set milestones, the next step is creating a visual representation of your action plan. This visualization helps you engage your team and allow everyone to follow through to carry out activities.

A graphical presentation also makes it easier to get a bird’s eye view of your project. This way, you can identify your objectives and tasks that you weren’t able to execute or reach, allowing you to prioritize them to accomplish them.

You can elaborate your action plan with the help of a concept map that can help you explicitly communicate all the essential elements and information — task owners, tasks owners, resources, goals, objectives, deadlines, etc. Also, make sure the document is easily accessible to all. 

Additionally, you can also leverage online visual collaboration platforms to help you seamlessly visualize and structure your simple and complex concepts.

4. Prioritize your tasks

It is imperative to align all your activities with specific goals and assign them to relevant team members. When you list and prioritize all your tasks, it helps keep track of your projects’ status, progress, and completion. 

You could also structure your task list by importance. This way, everyone knows what needs to be done first to meet your deadlines effectively while ensuring that your employees can manage those tasks. That way, your team will also know their responsibilities and tasks to get done and engage them with a clear vision.

5. Set milestones 

Milestones are the objectives that your team aims to achieve to keep a specific project progressing at a steady pace. Your work will have a lot smoother flow when everybody is clear with goals.

When you set milestones , it serves as mini-goals that help you achieve your central goal towards the end. Adding milestones to your action plan is crucial to give your team members something to look forward to and encourage them to stay motivated throughout.

6. Identify your resources

Before starting your project, it is imperative to ensure that you have the critical resources to complete the tasks successfully. And if you don’t have adequate resources, devise a strategy to leverage what you have effectively. Include all the essential components such as the number of projects, budget, timelines, etc., to make sure you don’t miss out on vital aspects.

Knowing what you have to work with will ensure that any tasks or projects you set out to accomplish have a better chance of succeeding. If you don’t have enough cash, a large enough team, or even enough time to manage every project, you’ll soon find yourself struggling to meet milestones and deadlines.

7. Monitor, gauge, and update

It is pivotal to allocate time and resources to evaluate your projects’ and teams’ progress. Make sure you conduct frequent follow-ups with team members to see if everybody is on track. 

For this reason, you need to elaborate on the follow-up and assessment of teams in your action plan. This will help you implement the strategies that work well and eradicate the ineffective ones.

• A guide to reaching your goals

An action plan is an indispensable tool that helps you guide your way to realizing your goals. It turns your visualization into actionable steps and milestones. 

From larger departments in an organization to individual employees, an action plan is a defined methodology that helps you outline your activities, tasks, resources, budget, objectives, etc. This, in turn, allows you to achieve desired outcomes.

JT Ripton is a business consultant and a freelance writer out of Tampa. JT has written for companies like T-Mobile and others.

Table of Contents

• How to create an effective action plan 

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How To Write A Business Plan (2024 Guide)

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Table of Contents

Brainstorm an executive summary, create a company description, brainstorm your business goals, describe your services or products, conduct market research, create financial plans, bottom line, frequently asked questions.

Every business starts with a vision, which is distilled and communicated through a business plan. In addition to your high-level hopes and dreams, a strong business plan outlines short-term and long-term goals, budget and whatever else you might need to get started. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to write a business plan that you can stick to and help guide your operations as you get started.

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Drafting the Summary

An executive summary is an extremely important first step in your business. You have to be able to put the basic facts of your business in an elevator pitch-style sentence to grab investors’ attention and keep their interest. This should communicate your business’s name, what the products or services you’re selling are and what marketplace you’re entering.

Ask for Help

When drafting the executive summary, you should have a few different options. Enlist a few thought partners to review your executive summary possibilities to determine which one is best.

After you have the executive summary in place, you can work on the company description, which contains more specific information. In the description, you’ll need to include your business’s registered name , your business address and any key employees involved in the business. 

The business description should also include the structure of your business, such as sole proprietorship , limited liability company (LLC) , partnership or corporation. This is the time to specify how much of an ownership stake everyone has in the company. Finally, include a section that outlines the history of the company and how it has evolved over time.

Wherever you are on the business journey, you return to your goals and assess where you are in meeting your in-progress targets and setting new goals to work toward.

Numbers-based Goals

Goals can cover a variety of sections of your business. Financial and profit goals are a given for when you’re establishing your business, but there are other goals to take into account as well with regard to brand awareness and growth. For example, you might want to hit a certain number of followers across social channels or raise your engagement rates.

Another goal could be to attract new investors or find grants if you’re a nonprofit business. If you’re looking to grow, you’ll want to set revenue targets to make that happen as well.

Intangible Goals

Goals unrelated to traceable numbers are important as well. These can include seeing your business’s advertisement reach the general public or receiving a terrific client review. These goals are important for the direction you take your business and the direction you want it to go in the future.

The business plan should have a section that explains the services or products that you’re offering. This is the part where you can also describe how they fit in the current market or are providing something necessary or entirely new. If you have any patents or trademarks, this is where you can include those too.

If you have any visual aids, they should be included here as well. This would also be a good place to include pricing strategy and explain your materials.

This is the part of the business plan where you can explain your expertise and different approach in greater depth. Show how what you’re offering is vital to the market and fills an important gap.

You can also situate your business in your industry and compare it to other ones and how you have a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Other than financial goals, you want to have a budget and set your planned weekly, monthly and annual spending. There are several different costs to consider, such as operational costs.

Business Operations Costs

Rent for your business is the first big cost to factor into your budget. If your business is remote, the cost that replaces rent will be the software that maintains your virtual operations.

Marketing and sales costs should be next on your list. Devoting money to making sure people know about your business is as important as making sure it functions.

Other Costs

Although you can’t anticipate disasters, there are likely to be unanticipated costs that come up at some point in your business’s existence. It’s important to factor these possible costs into your financial plans so you’re not caught totally unaware.

Business plans are important for businesses of all sizes so that you can define where your business is and where you want it to go. Growing your business requires a vision, and giving yourself a roadmap in the form of a business plan will set you up for success.

How do I write a simple business plan?

When you’re working on a business plan, make sure you have as much information as possible so that you can simplify it to the most relevant information. A simple business plan still needs all of the parts included in this article, but you can be very clear and direct.

What are some common mistakes in a business plan?

The most common mistakes in a business plan are common writing issues like grammar errors or misspellings. It’s important to be clear in your sentence structure and proofread your business plan before sending it to any investors or partners.

What basic items should be included in a business plan?

When writing out a business plan, you want to make sure that you cover everything related to your concept for the business,  an analysis of the industry―including potential customers and an overview of the market for your goods or services―how you plan to execute your vision for the business, how you plan to grow the business if it becomes successful and all financial data around the business, including current cash on hand, potential investors and budget plans for the next few years.

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Project Management

The Beginners Guide to Creating An Action Plan

Max 9 min read

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Imagine being a conductor of a world-class orchestra with no musical score, each member of the ensemble playing their own tune.

Harmony is disrupted; chaos takes center stage. Similarly, the lack of an action plan in any business can lead to inefficiency, confusion, and missed opportunities.

An action plan serves as that indispensable compass, the essential score. It offers clear direction, keeps everyone aligned, and orchestrates a harmonious path toward business goals.

With an action plan, you turn the chaos of the unknown into a well-synchronized dance of progress and productivity.

In this article, we delve deep into the world of action plans. We’ll explore their building blocks and learn why they are more than just a set of tasks or to-dos.

Through a step-by-step guide, you will understand how to create an action plan that is tailored to your business’s unique needs, along with ways to efficiently implement and monitor it.

And to give you a head start, we’ll even dissect some action plan samples, pulling out the essential ingredients that you can use in your recipe for success.

Ready to dive in? Let’s embark on this journey toward crafting and executing an effective action plan.

The DNA of an Action Plan

Every flourishing venture, big or small, has a secret formula behind it – a detailed action plan. But what exactly is an action plan? It’s a roadmap for success, a sequence of action steps for goals meticulously designed to drive your business toward its objectives.

An action plan is a detailed layout that outlines a set of specific actions needed to reach your goals. It serves as a reliable GPS, directing your business operations with clarity and focus. But this GPS is more than just your route; it’s your pit stops, rest areas, and destination.

Breaking down the structure, the components of an action plan include:

• Clear Goals: Every action plan starts with defining what you aim to achieve. Goals are your end-point, your desired outcome. They are the ‘why’ of your action plan, giving purpose and direction to your journey.
• Action Steps: These are the ‘what’ of your plan, the specific tasks or activities you need to perform to reach your goals. Each action step is a critical milestone on your road to success.
• Responsibilities: Accountability is key in any action plan. By designating who is responsible for each action step, everyone on your team knows exactly what their role is, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment.
• Resources: Be it monetary funds, time, equipment, or human resources, clearly identifying what you need to carry out each action step will help ensure smooth execution.
• Timeframes: A sense of urgency and a clear timeline are vital for maintaining momentum. By setting deadlines for each action step, you can monitor progress effectively and keep your journey on track.
• Measurable Outcomes: What does success look like for each action step? Having clear metrics in place allows you to evaluate performance objectively.
• Follow-up Mechanisms: Lastly, defining how you’ll track, review, and adjust progress ensures your action plan remains flexible and responsive to changing business dynamics.

Writing an action plan involves creating this blueprint, a precise path that clearly defines ‘how to write a plan of action.’ This process, though meticulous, is a strategic investment. It translates your grand visions into manageable, bite-sized tasks, making the climb towards your goal a series of achievable steps.

The beauty of an action plan lies in its adaptability. It’s not a rigid map but a dynamic guide that adjusts to your evolving business journey. Its purpose is to offer a clear direction while accommodating detours, helping you navigate the complex business terrain with confidence and control.

Why Do We Need Action Plans?

The necessity and potency of action plans lie in their innate ability to turn nebulous goals into concrete action steps. Their purpose is to make the daunting achievable, bringing your aspirations from the realm of ideas into the world of action.

Here’s why an action plan is a compelling necessity in different scenarios:

Launching a New Product

Imagine launching a new product, a complex and multifaceted endeavor that can feel akin to exploring uncharted territories.

However, an action plan serves as your torchlight, illuminating the path.

By setting clear steps, resources, responsibilities, timelines, and success metrics, an action plan transforms the product launch maze into a well-lit pathway, guiding you from concept to market.

Enhancing Customer Service

Consider a company striving to elevate its customer service quality. Without a clear plan, improvement efforts can be disjointed and ineffective.

However, with an action plan, the company can outline systematic and strategic action steps. These steps might include employee training, updating service protocols, or integrating new tech tools.

Each step is targeted and measured, ensuring a cohesive, organized approach towards enhancing customer satisfaction.

Personal and Community Projects

The purpose of action plans transcends the confines of corporate walls. They are equally powerful in personal and community contexts.

Are you aiming to run a marathon, planning a community fundraiser, or working on a university project?

An action plan is your route to success, breaking down grand ambitions into manageable steps. It’s the difference between a lofty dream and a reachable goal.

So, the purpose of an action plan?

It’s about transforming your ‘why’ into ‘how.’ It’s about taking the journey from intention to action, from aspiration to achievement. It’s your strategic companion on the road to success, ensuring each step you take is purposeful and progress-driven.

How to Write an Action Plan

Writing an action plan is like crafting a detailed itinerary for your journey to success. But how do we plot this itinerary?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you ‘write an action plan’ with precision, turning your lofty goals into actionable steps.

Step 1: Identify Clear Goals

The first step in ‘writing an action plan’ is to define clear, concise goals. What is it that you aim to achieve? Be specific and use measurable terms wherever possible. Remember, the goal is your destination; hence, it should be well-defined to provide a clear sense of direction.

Bonus Tip: Use the SMART framework for goal setting – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Step 2: Create a List of Action Steps

Now, break down your goal into ‘action steps for goals’. These are the tasks you need to perform to achieve your goal. Each action step should be clear, specific, and concise, serving as a direct path towards your goal.

Bonus Tip: For complex goals, consider creating sub-tasks for each action step. This will help break down your tasks even further, making them more manageable.

Step 3: Assign Responsibilities

Once you’ve identified your action steps, it’s time to assign responsibilities. Who will be responsible for each task? Ensure that every member of your team knows exactly what they’re accountable for.

Bonus Tip: When assigning tasks, consider the strengths, skills, and workload of your team members to ensure optimal task allocation.

Step 4: Identify Necessary Resources

Next, pinpoint the resources required to complete each action step. This could be financial resources, human resources, equipment, or anything else you need to execute your plan effectively.

Bonus Tip: Be realistic and comprehensive when listing your resources. Remember, inadequate resources can lead to bottlenecks in plan execution.

Step 5: Set a Timeline

Now, it’s time to ‘create an action plan’ timeline. When will each task start, and when should it be completed? Having a clear timeline ensures that your project stays on track and maintains momentum.

Bonus Tip: Allow some buffer time in your schedule to account for unexpected delays or setbacks.

Step 6: Define Success Metrics

How will you know if you’ve achieved your goal? Define clear, measurable outcomes for each action step. This will help you evaluate progress objectively and make necessary adjustments along the way.

Bonus Tip: Keep your success metrics relevant and achievable. Overly ambitious metrics can lead to demotivation and burnout.

Step 7: Establish a Follow-up Mechanism

Finally, create a process for tracking, reviewing, and adjusting progress. Regular follow-ups help ensure that your plan remains flexible and adaptable to evolving circumstances.

Bonus Tip: Regularly share progress updates with your team. Celebrating small wins along the way can boost morale and keep your team motivated.

Action Plan Success Tips

The journey from writing an action plan to setting it in motion is all about commitment, focus, and adaptability. Ensure every team member understands their role and responsibilities, and create a supportive environment where everyone is comfortable discussing progress, challenges, and suggestions.

Regular progress tracking is key. Schedule routine check-ins to evaluate whether your ‘action steps for goals’ are being carried out as planned and assess the effectiveness of your strategies. This ongoing review is crucial to maintain momentum and to make real-time adjustments as needed.

Bonus Tip: Use project management tools to aid in tracking progress and collaboration. A tool like Teamly is designed to support your team with real-time chat features, screen capturing, and task management.

Samples and Templates

A sample action plan can serve as a handy reference, particularly for those creating their first action plan. It provides a structured overview of how goals can be broken down into action steps, how responsibilities can be assigned, and how timelines can be set.

However, remember that each project is unique. While an action plan sample can be a good starting point, it needs to be tailored to fit your specific goals, team, and resources.

Similarly, templates can be useful when creating an action plan. They provide structure and guide you through the planning process, ensuring you don’t miss critical elements. However, templates aren’t without their drawbacks.

They can be rigid, restricting creativity and flexibility, which are essential when planning for dynamic goals or environments. Thus, while templates can be a good starting point, always remember to customize them to suit your unique needs.

Transitioning your action plan from a document to a roadmap for success demands perseverance, vigilance, and flexibility. The real power of an action plan comes to life only when it’s put into practice.

Action Plan Samples

Looking at real-life examples can truly illuminate the process of creating effective action plans.

Let’s delve into three action plan samples to uncover the insights they hold.

Example 1: Local Cafe’s Customer Retention Strategy

Imagine a local café aiming to boost customer retention by 15% over six months. Here’s a simplified snapshot of their action plan:

• Goal: Increase customer retention by 15% over six months.
• Action Steps: Implement a loyalty program, introduce limited-time menu items, host monthly community events.
• Responsibilities: Manager designs the loyalty program, Chef curates unique menu items, Marketing team organizes community events.
• Timeline: Roll out each initiative at the start of consecutive months.
• Success Metrics: Track return customer rate, loyalty program participation, event attendance.
• Follow-Up: Bi-weekly team meetings to assess progress.

This action plan example emphasizes the importance of customer-centric strategies in boosting retention. It illustrates the direct correlation between clear action steps, assigned responsibilities, and success metrics with the ultimate goal.

Example 2: Software Startup’s Product Development Plan

Consider a software startup working towards launching a new app feature in the next quarter. Their action plan might look something like this:

• Goal: Launch a new feature within the next quarter.
• Action Steps: Conduct market research, design and develop the feature, perform testing, prepare for launch.
• Responsibilities: Research team handles market research, developers design and build the feature, QA team performs testing, marketing prepares the launch.
• Timeline: Each action step has a dedicated timeframe within the quarter.
• Success Metrics: Completion of each action step on time, usability test results, customer feedback post-launch.
• Follow-Up: Weekly check-ins to review progress and troubleshoot issues.

This action plan illustrates the phases of product development and highlights the significance of regular follow-ups to ensure smooth execution.

Example 3: Nonprofit Organization’s Fundraising Campaign

Imagine a nonprofit planning a fundraising campaign to support a new initiative. Their action plan could look like:

• Goal: Raise $50,000 in two months.
• Action Steps: Identify potential donors, organize fundraising events , launch online donation drives.
• Responsibilities: Fundraising team identifies donors and organizes events, the digital team handles online donation drives.
• Timeline: Stagger events and drives over the two-month period.
• Success Metrics: Amount of funds raised, number of donors, event attendance, online donations.
• Follow-Up: Post-event debriefs to discuss what worked and what needs improvement.

This example demonstrates how an action plan facilitates the organization of large-scale events, focusing on the objective of raising a specific amount of funds within a defined period.

Each of these examples emphasizes the elements of an effective action plan and provides a practical, relatable context. By adapting these principles to your unique situation, you’ll be well on your way to ‘creating an action plan’ that drives success.

Each goal, each team, each organization comes with its unique context and dynamics. Tailoring your action plan to reflect these nuances is key.

While action plans are intended to guide you towards your goal, they’re not set in stone. They’re meant to serve you, not constrain you. When circumstances change, as they often do, don’t hesitate to revisit and revise your plan.

Because the most successful action plan is the one that adapts, grows, and evolves with you.

So, go ahead and harness the power of action plans. Begin by identifying your goal, breaking it down into action steps, assigning responsibilities, setting a timeline, defining success metrics, and determining a follow-up process.

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How To Create an Action Plan for Your Business [+Examples]

By Owen McGab Enaohwo | October 26, 2017

By Owen McGab Enaohwo | March 22, 2024

Last Updated on March 27, 2024 by Owen McGab Enaohwo

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Set a goal for your next project and watch it materialize if you take the right step.

Everyone has goals, but some people will be more successful than others in realizing them. People who accomplish goals better and faster are those who have developed an action plan and work to execute it. 

Executing an action plan is as important as creating it. This guide will walk you through the steps of documenting and implementing an action plan. Also, watch out for insights shared by founders and managers on how they built and implemented their most successful action plans.

Sign up for a free trial of SweetProcess now to create a successful action plan in minutes without a credit card.

Table of Contents

What Is an Action Plan?

How to Create an Action Plan for Your Business in 7 Steps

How to write an action plan for your business using sweetprocess, why you need an action plan to achieve your company’s goals, action plan examples from which you can learn, 8 core components of an action plan, types of action plans, how to implement an action plan successfully: tips and best practices, action plan templates you can swipe for your business, action plan vs. strategic plan: how they differ, action plan vs. implementation plan: how they differ, action plan vs. project plan: how they differ, action plan vs to-do list: how they differ, build your company’s action plans using sweetprocess, what is an action plan .

An action plan is a document that outlines the processes, tasks, and steps you need to cover to achieve a goal. A good action plan document will include actionable steps and procedures to follow, with a timeframe for each step. 

An example of this is Ling’s EAT (expertise, authority, and trustworthiness) action plan, which helped them boost their SEO with about 489% website traffic. Ling is a gamified language learning app, and the goal of this action plan was to boost the app’s download rate. This goal was achieved in one year. 

According to Simon Bacher, co-founder of Simya Solutions who is the creator of Ling, “We created a unique SEO strategy to EAT our way to the top with the following action steps:

• Analyze on-page inventory 
• Improve SEO content by optimizing keywords
• Improve on-page SEO by optimizing images
• Build topical authority with supporting content
• Improve our internal and external link-building strategies through media outreach
• Ensure our website is technically sound by improving our on-page SEO.” 

With these listed action steps, the Ling team was able to assign tasks and allocate resources, and the goal was reached within one year.

A well-structured action plan can make it easier for you to track and realize your goals. Whether you have a career, business, or personal goal, you can use an action plan to create a clear path to success. 

Creating an action plan is not as complex as it is made to look. Once you have your goal in mind, planning how to get there will be less challenging. Regardless of the different goals you plan to achieve, you will have to follow a similar pattern while creating your action plan. 

Meanwhile, the amount of detail in your action plan can vary based on the resources you have and the complexity of your project or goal.

There are three stages in the process of developing an action plan. They are the goal-setting stage, the planning stage, and the action stage. 

These stages are executed in seven steps, and they are discussed in detail below. 

Step 1: Define your goal

“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.” —Confucius

The above quote by Confucius made it clear that every goal can be achieved if your action plan has the right action steps. 

The success of an action plan starts with setting a clear goal. Having a goal makes it easy to have clarity of every other thing in between. You can determine the possible setbacks, the required resources, the feasible timeline, and so on. 

The first step in creating an action plan is to determine your goal. An important consideration at this stage is to ensure that you are setting SMART goals . 

SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound.

Setting SMART goals will help you clarify your purpose and process and give your project a clear direction. Specific and measurable goals will make it easy to track your progress and make necessary modifications in the process. 

Step 2: Create objectives

When you have your SMART goal established, the next step is to choose your objectives. Your project objectives are the deliverables and milestones that must be completed to achieve your project goals.

You must ensure that such objectives align perfectly with your smart goals. Make sure you are not doing this alone but involving other team members to understand different perspectives and needs. 

At the end of your deliberations, you should choose objectives you can realistically achieve based on your budget, time, and resources.

Example of an objective: To produce and distribute an information pack on malaria diagnosis and management to all health clinics in the district within the next three months.

Step 3: Highlight the tasks needed to get it done 

To produce the deliverables required, you have to identify the tasks that need to be done. Once identified, it’s important to prioritize which task comes first and which one depends on another. 

Step 4: Identify the team responsible for doing it 

After listing out and prioritizing the required tasks, merge each of these tasks with the appropriate team and team members. This will help you know whether you have enough hands to get the job done. 

Step 5: Identify the needed resources

When you have identified the tasks required to succeed on the project, it will be easy to identify the resources needed for each task and at each stage. Figure out those resources and ensure you have them readily available. 

One of the best resources you should have in place is SweetProcess, a process standardization tool that makes your action plan easily executable. You can use SweetProcess for free here .

Step 6: State the indicators of success

Success is not only defined by reaching your goal. It’s important also to have varying metrics and milestones that can be used to determine whether your team is making progress. 

Will Yang, the head of growth and customer success at Instrumentl , an all-in-one grants platform that helps nonprofits find, track, and manage their grants in a single place, talked about the company’s action plan on building a customer-centric culture in the company . He said, “One of the initial steps taken was to rigorously define the success metrics for growth—this ranged from user acquisition targets to retention rates and customer lifetime value. We then worked backward from these goals to establish the necessary action steps, using Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) to assign accountability and ensure alignment across the company.”

Step 7: Monitor and review your action plan

With your measurable goals and success metrics, it is easy to monitor and review your action plan. As the project execution progresses, you can check which action steps work perfectly and which need to be modified. 

An action plan requires that you have your standard operating procedures (SOPs) documented in one place. This will guide your team members on how each task is handled. A stack of different tasks will also need to be brought together as a process, and you must be able to assign different parts of the process and procedures to the concerned team members. 

A tool that has all these moving parts of an action plan in one place is SweetProcess . With SweetProcess, you can document your procedures, combine them to form a process, assign tasks to team members, and track progress execution. 

Thus, you have all the burdens lifted off your shoulders as a project manager, and it’s easy for all team members to know their assignments.

Without any learning curve and the need to break the bank, you can execute your action plan and make your next project a success. Start using SweetProcess for free without a credit card.

How to Create Procedures Using SweetProcess

If you want to create a new procedure in SweetProcess, you have the option of writing it from scratch, importing it from an existing document, or having SweetAI do the magic for you. 

• Here’s a guide on how to create a new procedure in SweetProcess from scratch .
• If you have existing procedures and would like to bring them over to SweetProcess, you can achieve that with a few clicks. Here’s how . 
• If you want to make things happen fast and would like your procedure creation done for you, SweetProcess’s AI can do this for you in a few seconds. Here’s how to write your process with SweetAI .

How to Create Processes on SweetProcess

A process is a combination of different procedures. All the steps and procedures planned in your action plan can be put together in one place by creating a process in your SweetProcess account. 

Here’s how to create a process from existing procedures . You can also import your existing process and have SweetAI create your process for you. 

How to Create Company Policies Using SweetProcess

Your action plan will sometimes require that you embed certain company policies in your processes and procedure flow. SweetProcess helps you do this without a hitch. All you need is to document your company policies or import them over to SweetProcess. Once you have them over, you can easily attach any named policy to any part of your action plan in the process flow. 

Here’s how to create a policy in SweetProcess:

• If you want to create your company policies from scratch, follow this guide . 
• Here’s how to import an existing policy to SweetProcess .
• Create your company policy with SweetProcess’s artificial intelligence function, SweetAI, following this guide . 
• Here’s how to attach a policy to a process or procedure . 

How to Assign and Manage Tasks on SweetProcess

When you have all your processes, policies, and procedures documented in SweetProcess, you would want to bring your action plan to the limelight by delegating tasks to team members. In addition to delegation, you can also monitor the progress of each team member.

Here’s how to delegate and keep track of team members’ progress in SweetProcess .

If you’re on your way to picking a tool to aid the execution of your action plan, you may want to check out SweeetProcess . Companies like ShipCalm and Stone & Wood have success stories of how they reached their smart goals with the help of SweetProcess. 

Ted Fogliani, CEO of ShipCalm , had a goal of minimizing the stretch on their systems, employees, and facilities during their growing customer base amidst COVID-19. SweetProcess happens to be the tool that brings their dream to life. Features like easy process documentation, different knowledge bases for employees and customers, task assigning and tracking, employee sign-off, and much more are what make the process a walk in the park for the ShipCalm team. 

The fact that SweetProcess has no learning curve and allows access to different document versions and allows easy employee onboarding helped make it a top pick and a great fit for ShipCalm during its expansion phase.

According to Thomas Parker, the quality assurance and sensory coordinator at Stone & Wood, SweetProcess helped the company execute the action plan to comply with regulatory standards . They were able to achieve this with proper process documentation, simplified employee orientation, centralized knowledge base, and process customization, among other features offered by SweetProcess. 

Without a credit card, you can also access all the features in SweetProcess for 14 days to execute your next action plan.

If you’ve never used one before, you may want to ask why you need an action plan before you start working on a project.

It provides clarity of objective and direction

With a well-laid-down action plan, you have a clear roadmap to achieve your smart goals and objectives.

Aids task prioritization

Since each of the tasks in the plan will have different levels of priority, your action plan will help you create a realistic order of priority during the action planning phase.

Enhances proper resource allocation

The resources, tools, and manpower required to carry out your project can be easily accounted for. This way, you can easily avoid shortages or excess resources. 

Leads to focus and motivation

Each team member will be on the same page regarding the execution of the action plan. This will keep everyone on their toes in taking care of their assignments to achieve the objectives and deliverables.

Fosters team alignment

With a documented action plan, all your team members are always on the same page regarding who does what. This will foster cooperation and productivity .

From the real-time insights shared with us by Fortador and Bybrand, you can learn more about how developing and implementing action plans has contributed significantly to their business success.

Lev Tretyakov, the CEO and head of sales of Fortador, revealed how the successful implementation of action plans has been the driving force behind Fortador’s success. Fortador is a company that specializes in distributing sanitation and cleaning steam equipment. 

Lev talked about the action plan that was developed and implemented toward the launching of the company’s new product line of eco-friendly steam cleaners. They had to come up with a comprehensive action plan that outlined the details from conceptualization to the market launch.

Action Plan Goal

To launch a new product line of eco-friendly steam cleaners.

Action Plan Objectives

• To source sustainable materials that conform to eco-friendly standards from suppliers. 
• To produce the steam cleaner in a way that minimizes the environmental impact.
• To revamp their assembly line and ensure reduced energy consumption.
• To ensure the market acceptance of the new product and optimize sales.

Here’s what Fortador’s product launch action steps looked like according to Lev Tretyakov: 

• Conceptualization: Identifying a gap in our product range, brainstorming how to fill the gap, factoring in market trends, customer needs, and Fortador’s strengths.
• Design and development: After getting a concept, our design team came up with prototypes, which we tested and refined depending on the feedback.
• Production: After working on the optimal design, we followed strict quality control measures in production to ensure the product matched our standards.
• Marketing and promotion: As the production continued, our marketing team was actively working to develop a strategy to promote the product. They worked on social media campaigns, press releases, and email marketing.
• The launch: We launched the product through in-store and online promotion events, and it was a success.

From his experience in executing this product launch action plan, Lev highlighted how implementing action plans has been of great influence on the company’s success. 

“An action plan serves as a clear outline of how to achieve a goal, what to anticipate, and what to do. It ensures everyone understands the end goal and their role and contributes towards it, which creates a sense of direction. It has helped the Fortador team navigate challenges, remain organized, and get through challenges better as everyone is working towards a common goal . ” 

—Lev Tretyakov, CEO and Head of Sales of Fortador

Bybrand is another company that developed an action plan to improve its strategic marketing goals by tapping into the boom of generative AI. 

Bernardo Castro, founder of Bybrand (a company that sells B2B email signature software), shared how implementing the action plan has helped them drive this vision. 

According to Bernardo, “The key to an action plan is to use a project management software. We created three goals using the SMART method of defining them. One of our goals is to implement the use of generative AI as a chatbot in the first few months of 2024. We had a specific aim, and it is measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound.”

Bernardo explained that while building the action plan, the company assigned tasks to the marketing and IT teams that are mostly in charge of the chatbot deployment. 

“We looked at managed services, the benefits of developing our chatbot, and the limitations of the technology. We looked at the costs involved with launching a chatbot. We prioritized researching generative AI because a website chatbot would directly affect our sales. So, over the last few months, we have looked at the limitations of our current chat tool. And we have begun testing the AI chatbot for its launch in early 2024.”

—Bernado Castro, founder of Bybrand

SweetProcess is a standard operating procedure software that can help you create an executable action plan without prior experience. Sign up for free —no credit card is required.

The components of an action plan can vary slightly depending on the type of project and company. Meanwhile, some core components are indispensable in any action plan document, and they are discussed below.

These are deliverables that the plan should help you accomplish in working toward your goal.

Action Plan Steps

These are the set of activities that need to be carried out to reach your goal. Your action plan steps should be detailed and follow a specific order.

Action Items

The action items are the specific, small tasks that make up the action plan steps. The action items help you execute your action plan steps.

Action Plan Timeline

An action plan timeline is the time allocation meant for each of the action plan steps. This will help to know the required duration of the whole project, each step with its start and end dates.

Action Plan Resources

These include any item that will be required to execute the action plan at each step. Action plan resources can include employees, materials, equipment, and action plan software, among other things. 

Action Plan Matrix

An action plan matrix is a tool that can be used to represent your action plan document, giving you all the details of the plan in just one glance. You can get samples of the action priority matrix here .

Action Plan Report

At the execution stage, you need to track the progress of your project with the anticipated progress. Having the preplanned parameters side by side with the actual ones will help you make modifications where necessary. 

Assignments

You should assign tasks to your team members and communicate with them so that everyone knows the tasks they’re saddled with. 

A process documentation tool like SweetProcess will help you assign tasks to your team members with all the needed details while also tracking the progress of the tasks. 

Action plans have different types depending on the purpose each is meant to serve. They, however, follow a similar pattern, albeit with different goals. The three types of action plans we’ll highlight here are business, project, and personal action plans. 

Business Action Plan

A business action plan is meant to set goals and assign tasks when you want to start a business or execute a new plan in an existing business. It outlines the vision for the business or new goal and the actions needed to bring it to life.

Project Action Plan

A project action plan is tailored toward individual and specific projects within an organization. This project might be a subdivision of a major strategy being executed by a company. An important component of a project action plan is the deliverable that is expected to satisfy the objective of such an action plan.

Personal Action Plan

A personal action plan may not be as complex as other types of action plans. The components are not always complex because they are mostly tasks you need to carry out yourself. Goals in a personal action plan can be as big as changing careers and as small as drinking enough water daily. The goal will determine what the action steps and other components will look like.  

Creating an effective action plan is not the end of it—it is just the beginning. When it is time to act on implementing the plan, here are some of the best practices that guarantee the success of the action plan. 

Involve your team

From the planning stage to the implementation stage, working on your action plan shouldn’t be a one-person show. If you plan with all your team members, it helps to ensure that everyone will be on the same page. Understanding the relevance of each assignment will motivate everyone so they don’t fall short in their duties. 

Set SMART goals

It’s important that you set goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. Setting ambiguous goals will take you nowhere because you won’t be able to define your success metrics. 

Use task management software

An action plan document written with pen and paper may die right on the spot. You should consider adopting task management software that will document your processes, procedures, and templates and allow you to assign tasks and monitor and collaborate with your team members. Whether you manage a physical or virtual team, having everything in one place will prevent tasks from falling through the cracks and ensure prompt implementation of the action plan.

Check out SweetProcess for free and use all the features without hand-holding.

Create an action plan template

When you have a lot of projects to execute, it’s helpful to have an action plan template that works best for your team. When you implement an action plan, it is easy to tweak the plan during implementation until you have a perfect one that works for you. This will provide the best template for your team and future projects. 

Set up real-time alerts and assign dependencies

Each action step and item is expected to have a duration. To ensure that your action plan is executed within the allotted timeline, you should set reminders to know when each task completion is due. SweetProcess automatically does this for you by notifying all concerned team members of the progress and completion of each individual task.

Check action items off as you complete them

Checking off each action item on completion will help you know what is done and what is left in the action plan implementation.

Discuss late or pending tasks

Always keep in touch with your team members to encourage everyone to complete the assigned tasks within the time allocated. You should also not overlook late or pending tasks, rather communicate about them to know when they genuinely feel stuck so you can help.

The goal of your action plan will mostly determine the best template to use. Even though some of the action plan templates will have a similar pattern, you can check out which one best fits your project and swipe it right here for free. 

Blank Action Plan Template

The blank action plan template outlines a series of stages or activities that must be done to complete the work or task correctly. It helps you keep track of specific task accomplishments and the resources and equipment needed to execute the action. 

Click here to download the Blank Action Plan Template

Sales Action Plan Template

A sales action plan template outlines what you’ll do to meet your sales objectives with an emphasis on the transactions and relationships you can build with clients.

The major components of the sales action plan template are:

• Your revenue target
• Who your top customer segments are
• How to structure your teams for success 

Click here to download the Sales Action Plan Template

Maintenance Action Plan Template

A maintenance action plan template is a document that outlines what must be done to keep assets in a facility in good working order. The information in the template will guide you on how to use each asset to its full potential. You can keep track of maintenance schedules using the estimated time column, and check and record accountability when the task is complete.

Click here to download the Maintenance Action Plan Template

Startup Action Plan Template

This startup business plan template includes the essential elements you’ll need to pitch investors and stakeholders on your business idea and strategy. 

An executive summary, a financial overview, a marketing plan, specifics on product or service offerings, and more are all included in the template.

Click here to download the Startup Action Plan Template

Personal Development Action Plan Template

The personal development action plan template provides you with an assessment for personal growth. It is presented in the context of professional goals, education, relationships, or self-improvement. This is usually based on awareness, values, reflection, goal setting, and planning.

Click here to download the Personal Development Action Plan Template

Simple Action Plan Template

The simple action plan template allows you to keep track of the tasks that must be accomplished daily to achieve a larger goal. You can document your objectives, task list, success criteria, timeframe, and available resources. Each page has a label where you may enter information about your firm in addition to tables and images.

Click here to download the Simple Action Plan Template

Even though strategic plans and action plans are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not the same. 

Think of your strategic plan as your destination and your action plan as the details on how you plan to get there. 

Simply put, a strategic plan is meant to determine what we intend to do over a specific period, considering our main goals, resources, opportunities, challenges, and limitations.

The action plan refers to the specific steps to be taken to achieve this strategic plan. It comes with outlined objectives, timelines, assigning roles, and identifying the needed resources. 

An action plan refers to the scheduled proposition for implementing required activities to achieve a desired goal. An implementation plan, on the other hand, comes with a broader view. It covers the identification of required resources, developing assumptions, forecasting short and long-term outcomes, budgeting, allocating responsibilities, and scheduling of activities in a bid to achieve the desired objectives.

An action plan is usually a subset of a project plan. It describes how to accomplish a particular objective within the bigger project. The project plan outlines everything about the whole project, from its initiation to its completion. It includes objectives, scope, budget, timelines, risks, and stakeholders.

An action plan breaks down a specific goal into tasks, allocates resources, and sets deadlines and priorities, while a to-do list is only a list of things that need to be done in no particular order and without regard to the needed resources and timelines.

If you’re now looking to make and implement an action plan, you’ll be more concerned about executing, monitoring, and reporting throughout the project execution. SweetProcess is a tool that lets you achieve these and many more, ensuring you have everything in one place. 

This SOP documentation and management tool helps you realize your goals with great built-in features and intuitive interface. Features such as procedure standardization, process documentation , policy creation, and artificial intelligence assistance will help you set the pace for your action plan. While implementing your action plan, you will be able to tap from features like task assigning, progress tracking, team collaboration, and version histories. 

SweetProcess is a top pick among other similar tools because of its intuitiveness and favorable pricing, which helps you save time and cost. 

Without a credit card or any technical knowledge, you can use all the features in SweetProcess for 14 days for FREE .

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How to Write an Action Plan (Examples Included)

Before you start any project, you have to draw up a plan to manage, organize, and realize the project’s goals. Planning is a crucial component of the project initiation phase of the project management life cycle.

The best way to turn your project objectives and goals into reality, and to avoid risks and challenges during the project management life cycle , is to use a solid action plan. You can use an action plan to create a clear path to success for any goal (personal, business, or financial goal ).

In this article, you will learn how to write an effective action plan and why you need one for your project.

Let’s get started.

What is an Action Plan?

An action plan is a comprehensive plan on how to reach a goal. This is a step-by-step process you have to perform to attain your goal.

Every organization has a guideline or strategy in place to achieve its goal, be it small or big. An action plan can work towards a quarterly or yearly goal. This will include setting goals and objectives that are realistic to achieve.

A goal is the primary objective of an action plan. An action plan does not only exist in organizations, but it is very useful in our day-to-day life.

When you set a goal, an action plan has to be in motion to bring such a goal to life. Some processes or structures have to be in place to create an action plan.

Ask the following questions before you write an action plan.

• What are the goals you need to achieve?
• What methods will go into achieving them?
• What is the end goal of these goals and objectives?

You also need to follow processes to set an effective action plan.

1. Setting A Goal

The first step for writing an action plan is to set a goal. When you discover the goal of the whole operation, you can then draw up an action plan to achieve it. The purpose of this is to create or have a picture of what the goal is going to be about. This ensures that you set a realistic goal.

During the process of setting a goal, consider the following.

• The goal must be clear and actionable
• Must be realistic
• Must have a completion date

Organizations at this phase create a project charter to sketch out the goals and objectives.

2. Structures to Achieve the Goal

These are the guidelines or step-by-step plans to achieve the goal. During this stage, you write a well-described and outlined plan. The action plan is a guideline for achieving the already set goal.

Break down the goal of the project into smaller units and tasks that will lead to the eventual progress of the goal. Set targets and deadlines, and share responsibilities and resources needed to achieve the goal.

Some of these structures to achieve the goal include:

• Listing the steps to be followed
• Establishing key goals and targets
• Identifying available resources
• Visualizing the goal

Why You Need an Action Plan

An action plan is a framework for how to complete a project effectively. One of the reasons why projects fail is due to a lack of planning. Many projects fail because they either did not carry out extensive research or they did not have a solid plan to bring all their goals to fruition.

Every goal must have a to-do list of all tasks that need to be accomplished to achieve an objective. An action plan guarantees a well-organized objective. You need this plan to stay on track and manage the progress of the project or goal.

1. Provides Motivation and Eliminates Procrastination

An action plan is simply a to-do list that one checks till a task or goal is accomplished. A well outlined and organized arrangement of your plan encourages one to start and complete the task. Breaking the task into smaller units makes it feel less overwhelming and cumbersome.

Ticking your to-do list makes the progress of the goal visible. You can easily track milestones and accomplishments of the set objective.

2. Sets Direction and Priorities

One of the benefits of writing an action plan is that it establishes direction and priorities for your goal. It defines the whole purpose of the operation. In an organizational setting, it can be likened to a project charter. This represents a sketch of what the end goal should look like or should be.

An action plan helps the project team to stay on track and focus on the purpose of the project without going outside of the main objective. This prevents the waste of time and resources on scope creep . If eventually, you have to make changes, there will be adjustments that will easily fit into the project.

3. Uncovers Weaknesses and Opportunities

In the course of drawing up an action plan, one uncovers both the strengths and weaknesses of the project. An action plan provides you with a better chance of adjusting and creating a better plan for your goal or project.

The weaknesses uncovered could be the risk involved in the project. The action plan helps you discover the weaknesses and how to quickly eliminate them before the project begins.

During the process of writing an action plan, one can also find opportunities that can be generated from it. An action plan will force you to think strategically to deliver insights that will improve your project.

How to Write an Action Plan

There are seven steps to follow that serve as a guideline for writing a strategically well-detailed action plan.

1. Define Your Goals

The first step to writing a good action plan is to define the goal, be it a personal or business plan . Break down the overall goal into smaller, easier, and understandable sub-goals.

The reason for this is that, when people start to accomplish a task, the first impression they will develop is that it will take lots of time and energy. Breaking down the goal into smaller units will make it easier to understand and accomplish

By defining the goal, you understand what it takes to achieve it. It is at this stage you decide if you can go through with the plan. The goal you define should be SMART – Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, and Timely.

2. List the Key Objectives

Listing priorities is another important step when writing an effective action plan. What are these priorities? They are the key elements that form the goal of what you want to achieve.

By listing the key objectives , you know where to focus on majorly or areas that will require more attention.

3. Create a Step-by-Step Guideline to Achieve Your Goal

A guideline ensures you do not get stuck during the process of achieving your aim. Many businesses have failed due to getting to a particular segment of achieving their goal and not knowing what to do next. Creating a step-by-step guideline ensures there is the next thing to do.

4. Set Targets and Deadlines

Time is a very important factor when setting a goal. During the process of trying to achieve the aim of the project, you can easily lose track of time if you do not track it.

When a goal drags on for a particular period, it can lead to loss of interest or the goal might fail to accomplish what it was intended for.

5. Identify Available Resources

An action plan should have an estimate of the resources available. When talking about resources, this is not just in terms of financial resources but also human resources. This refers to the number of teams on the ground to achieve the goal.

The essence of identifying available resources is to manage them effectively to achieve a specific goal.

6. Set Milestones

In every sector of life, the show of success no matter how little serves as a morale booster. Setting milestones helps you keep track of the project’s progress.

When working on a project, after completing a milestone, no matter how little the step is, it is important to celebrate or mark that milestone.

Milestones show progress. The essence of setting milestones is to give morale and motivation to your team members to do more work. A good practice is to reward team members when they accomplish a set milestone to show appreciation for their effort and encourage them to accomplish more.

7. Monitor and Evaluate the Plan

Monitoring and evaluating the plan is the last section of an action plan. This is where you evaluate the whole plan, check for the loopholes, and whatever was missed when writing the plan. It also leaves room for adjustments and scope creep.

Tips for Writing an Effective Action Plan

1. involve team members and experts.

This goes with the saying that “no man is an island.” No matter how much you understand a project, you need to involve team members and experts for better opinions and inputs. Following this tip allows for growth and communication among the team.

When opinions are welcomed from the team, this helps develop the project and might even uncover a greater benefit to the project. There are certain aspects of the project you may miss which your team members can pick up.

2. Have a Timeline

Getting your timing right is key to the success of any project. Having a timeline guiding all the activities you want to carry out in the project is crucial. A well-established timeline for your project ensures that you accomplish all tasks and milestones at the appropriate time.

3. Communicate the Plan

Communication is the foundation upon which a project can develop. When communication is in place, there will be a smooth transfer of information from one section to another. This is key because, without communication, the goal will remain stagnant.

4. Tick Off Items As You Accomplish Them

After completing an item or task in your project, mark them as completed. Doing this will make it easy for you to know the items or tasks you have completed and the ones that are still pending.

Ticking off items as you accomplish them can boost the morale of the team and encourage them to put in more effort to achieve the project.

5. Write an Action Plan Template

Writing an action plan template helps you save time and energy. Instead of having to create an action plan from scratch each time you need one, you can write or collect action plan templates you can edit to fit your needs.

Since the format for writing an action plan is similar for many projects or goals, writing an action plan template is a great idea.

6. Use a Project Management Tool

The best project management tools help you write effective action plans and keep you on track. Project management software like Monday.com, ClickUp, and Wrike have project planning and reporting features that help you monitor the progress of your project and the performance of your project team.

Action Plan Template

An action plan template makes it easier and faster for you to create an action plan for your goal or project. While almost every action plan template follows the same format, modifications vary depending on its purpose and the industry.

1. Business Action Plan

2. Marketing Action Plan

3. Sales Action Plan

4. Project Action Plan

5. Corrective Action Plan Template

Action Plan Example

An example of an action plan for a marketing agency.

Problem: Slow growth due to lack of sufficient employees and clients.

Goal: Increase profit by 50% within three years.

We expect our marketing agency to increase our profitability by 150% as we increase our marketing and customer service team and attract more clients over the next three years.

Current State of Our Agency: Annual profit of $100,000, six employees, and fifteen clients.

Our Agency in Six Months: Training for our existing customers in marketing and customer service and our profit will increase by 10%.

Our Agency in 12 Months: Annual profit of $150,000, ten employees, and 25 clients.

Our Agency in Three Years: Annual profit of $225,000, fifteen employees, and fifty clients.

Action Plan to Achieve Our Goal

Task 1 – Training

Action: Train all employees in the latest marketing and sales trends, client acquisition, and customer service.

Completion Date: August 2022

Person Responsible: Project Manager

Task 2 – Recruitment

Action: Work with the HR manager to hire new employees that fit the skill sets needed to achieve the agency’s goal.

Completion Date: November 2023

Task 3 – Improve Customer Service

Action: Improve relations with clients to convert them into repeat customers by updating the agency’s website, taking note of their birthdays, and sending customized gifts showing the agency’s logo to them.

Completion Date: Ongoing

Person Responsible: IT Manager

Task 4 – Generate More Sales

Action: Organize meetings with clients and in-house staff to develop the best strategies for increasing sales conversions.

Completion Date: January 2024

Person Responsible: Sales Manager

Action: Run marketing campaigns on Google, Facebook, and Instagram to generate more sales for clients.

Completion Date: March 2024

Person Responsible: Marketing Manager

Task 5 – Reduce Friction at Payment Channels

Action: Optimize your payment clients for a seamless payment experience for your clients and increase the number of payment channels

Completion Date: May 2024

Task 6 – Expand Client Base

Action: Participate in relevant regional marketing summits to hunt for high-paying clients.

Completion Date: June 2024

Action: Target weaknesses in competitors’ services and offers and create better deals to attract more clients.

Completion Date: October 2024

Evidence of Success: Annual profit of $225,000 or more. Tracking and Evaluation Process: Assess staff size, client number, and profits.

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Anastasia belyh.

Anastasia has been a professional blogger and researcher since 2014. She loves to perform in-depth software reviews to help software buyers make informed decisions when choosing project management software, CRM tools, website builders, and everything around growing a startup business.

Anastasia worked in management consulting and tech startups, so she has lots of experience in helping professionals choosing the right business software.

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10 Free Action Plan Templates in Word, Excel, & ClickUp

Content Partnership Specialist

July 24, 2024

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Whether you’re pursuing a professional goal , developing a product, or building a house, you always start with a detailed plan to guide your next steps.

Powerful project management software is the key to creating and overseeing comprehensive action plans. And choosing the right action plan template for your software is the key to saving time on this step-by-step process while making sure you cover all the bases! 🔑

Even simple projects and goals require organized action plans, and action plan templates provide the perfect framework to help you turn these plans into a reality! While there are tons of templates at your disposal, they each carry a unique set of features and value depending on the size of your team, project, or goal.

Instead of combing through pages and pages of search results, start here, with 10 of the best action plan templates for ClickUp , Excel, and Word. You can access each template directly from this blog, and did mention they’re all completely free? 💸

What is an Action Plan Template?

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Your action plan is a detailed checklist of items that must happen in order to complete a project or reach a goal. You can make an action plan for virtually anything —and you probably already have!

Think of your action plan as a thorough list of every task included in a workflow or steps in a process. But what makes your action plan different than a simple to-do list is the amount of organization, information, and detail involved.

Your plan justifies the who, what, where, and when of your project and shows how each related task ties back to those ideas. This helps project managers streamline workflows and ensures that every action item is absolutely necessary.

Action plan templates take the “set up” out of setting up your roadmap. Your template may come in the form of a pre-built flowchart, list, document, or table where you can essentially plug and play your project’s information in the proper areas to guide your next steps in the process.

They’re excellent resources to have on hand for fleshing-out fresh ideas, during employee performance reviews when you’re planning professional growth, and so much more. Plus, action plan templates can be customized to more specific use cases and are designed to help you think more proactively and strategically about building processes .

10 Free Action Plan Templates

Now that you’ve got the essentials down, it’s time to set your search in motion! Luckily, project management is kind of our thing. 🤓

We’ve done our homework to bring you 10 of the best project action plan templates for ClickUp, Excel, Word, and more. And the best part? You can download them directly from this blog without even spending a dime. 💰

Taking the time to create a plan with actionable steps can provide invaluable structure for simple to complex projects!

The ClickUp Action Plan Template sets the stage to review action plans daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly on a Whiteboard. This process will help make goal-setting easier by providing a simple way to structure the action items, determine deadlines and resources, and track progress toward your objectives. 

If this is your first time using a digital whiteboard , no worries! The Getting Started guide inside this template will walk you through how to set up your canvas. 🎨

A Corrective Action Plan (CAP) is a structured action plan outlining the steps needed to address problems and improve the performance of a role, process, or system.

With the ClickUp Corrective Action Plan Template , it’s easy to consolidate data and ideas so everything is in one place. The main elements of a CAP in this Whiteboard project action plan template are organized to shorten the time it takes from identifying a mistake to implementing a solution:

• Areas for Improvement : Identify the fields around your business operations or team performance that needs changes and attention
• Problems and Root Causes : Define the challenges, roadblocks, and supporting information of each to analyze and develop a solution
• Possible Solutions : Consider every factor involved in your corrective plan, and list down all the possible solutions to make a change for improvement
• Measure of Success : Define your success that’s measurable through key performance indicators or metrics that are applicable and beneficial to your team and overall operations
• Task Owners : Assign specific team members to every task 
• Timeline: Allocate enough time to prepare for transitions and improvement as you go through this template

The ClickUp Employee Engagement Action Plan Template is a Doc packed with examples to increase employee satisfaction and engagement. It offers step-by-step instructions to get the most out of your template to measure progress on common HR goals :

• Business strategy
• People strategy
• Strategic priorities
• Communication plans

And that’s just the beginning! You can assign tasks directly in the Doc or connect your employee action plan template to tasks and share it with stakeholders. This reduces the number of feedback channels and shortens the time it takes to approve a plan or assign tasks to team members. 

Pro tip : Use subpages to add training programs, reward systems, and other related activities to keep all your work in one place!

A Cybersecurity Action Plan is a written framework outlining the steps and resources required to improve security posture. TechTarget defines security posture as “an organization’s overall cybersecurity strength and how well it can predict, prevent and respond to ever-changing cyber threats.” 

A comprehensive cybersecurity action plan starts with an assessment of an organization’s current security posture —analyzing existing policies, procedures, systems, and infrastructure in order to identify any gaps or areas of vulnerability.

Based on this assessment, actionable steps can be taken to improve technical and non-technical aspects of security like implementing new technologies, processes, and practices. ⚙️

The ClickUp Cybersecurity Action Plan Template is a beautifully-designed Doc for any Security team to quickly customize for audience impact and understanding. As you go through the action plan process, you can collaborate with your team in real-time or async! 

Use this free template to easily protect your ClickUp Docs with the Privacy and Edit controls to prevent unwanted changes to the content of your Pages.

The ClickUp SMART Action Plan Template helps project managers break down complex tasks into more manageable steps while considering the barriers of time, resources, and expertise. 

The acronym SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely. This template organizes each SMART goal category while providing helpful prompts for success! After you’ve filled out each category, highlight your text to create actionable tasks and assign a completion date.

From there, you can navigate between your Doc and tasks easily without opening more browser tabs. 

Need to tweak or make mental notes on your action plan? There’s a section in this template just for that—the Follow Through section. Jot down the review date, key accomplishments, improvement areas, and support needed to keep track of all your work! 

The ClickUp Daily Action Plan Template is a worthy rival to your coveted to-do list on your company-branded notepad. 

A daily action plan is a blueprint template for organizing and prioritizing tasks throughout the day. It helps us to stay focused and productive, while also helping us to better manage our time. The process involves creating a list of tasks that need to be accomplished each day, assigning a time frame for each task, and most importantly, committing to completing them within that time frame. ⏳

Individuals or teams will benefit from its organized layout and connected view of organizational goals. To begin, open the Getting Started guide within the project action plan template to make it your own so you can use it every day! 

Discover more to-do list templates !

An Action Priority Matrix is a visualization tool to help anyone assess and rank tasks based on how much effort is required and how important completing the task is for achieving the overall goal. 

The action priority matrix typically includes four sections: action item/task, importance level, timeline, and completion status. This allows teams to easily rank action items by importance so they can make sure important tasks are completed first and within the allotted time frame. 

Tasks with the potential to improve performance or mitigate risks should be given higher priority than those with no direct impact. Similarly, tasks with short-term deadlines should be treated as a higher priority than long-term goals in an action plan’s timeline.

The ClickUp Action Priority Matrix Whiteboard Template is perfect for project managers looking to optimize their action plans in order to improve performance over time. Teams can more easily identify which tasks need attention first while tracking progress along the way. The Getting Started guide in this template includes formatting tips and examples to get your Whiteboard action plan ready!

Check out more matrix templates and matrix structure examples .

This ClickUp Management Action Plan Template is built to handle any project, but it’s especially helpful for larger or more complex situations. It provides a structured framework to explain your approaches while tracking progress!

The Doc comes with helpful tips and is organized by the following sections:

• Introduction to provide context on the problem
• Goals to list the plan’s success criteria and desired results
• Action Plan to detail specific tasks, projects, and team members
• Review and Approval to assign the responsible party

This detailed work plan template in Microsoft Word gives you an organized space to document a clear planning process. To track progress on your detailed work plan template, consider using a project management platform (like ClickUp) so you can bridge the necessary resources!

If you’re looking for a free sales action plan template in Microsoft Excel , we recommend this one! It comes with all the essential categories ( Action Item, Rank, Priority, Owner, Assigned, Due, Done, Status , and Notes ) to develop an effective action plan. 

Listing sales team members might become an administrative burden as roles change or new hires come on board. (Try the No. 6 ClickUp Daily Action Plan Template to avoid this issue!) 

You can also use this as a sales action plan template to keep track of budgets, progression, and sales employees. Using this as a sales action plan template could be a faster way to track your team’s work.

Explore other ClickUp action plan templates:

• Community Engagement Action Plan Template
• Real Estate Action Plan Template
• Fundraising Action Plan Template
• Construction Action Plan Template
• Outreach Action Plan Template
• Contingency Plan Templates

Creating an effective action plan is a critical step for businesses seeking to achieve strategic goals and operational improvements. This is where a comprehensive business action plan template becomes invaluable. Use the steps below along with one (or more!) of the ClickUp action plan templates above to get started!

Step 1: Define Your End Goal

Before diving into the planning process, it’s vital to have a clear understanding of what you aim to achieve with the project. This overarching objective will guide all subsequent actions and decisions, ensuring that every task contributes effectively to the end goal.

Step 2: Break Down the Goal into Manageable Tasks

Once your goal is defined , list down all the tasks that need to be completed to achieve the goal. Breaking down the goal into smaller, more manageable tasks will make the action plan more approachable and easier to manage.

Step 3: Organize Tasks into a Timeline

After task identification, organize them into a logical sequence with a start and end date. Consider dependencies between tasks and ensure there is a realistic timeline that accommodates potential delays or challenges.

Step 4: Assign Responsibilities

Determine who in your team is best equipped to take on each task. Assigning tasks to individuals or teams based on their skills , expertise, and workload to ensure a balanced distribution of responsibilities.

Step 5: Define Success Metrics

It’s crucial to establish clear metrics for success to evaluate the progress and completion of tasks. This will help keep the project on track and ensure that the outcomes meet the expected standards.

Step 6: Review and Adapt the Plan

An action plan should be a living document. Periodically review the plan to assess progress and make adjustments as needed. This allows you to address any issues promptly and adapt to changing circumstances.

Step 7: Communicate and Implement the Plan

Ensure that all team members understand the action plan and their roles within it. Clear communication is key to effective implementation. Once everyone is on board, put the plan into action.

Step 8: Monitor Progress and Update as Necessary

As tasks are executed, continuously monitor progress against the plan’s timeline and success metrics. Update the plan as necessary to reflect any changes or shifts in strategy.

Step 9: Complete and Review

Upon completion of all tasks, conduct a final review of the project against your initial goals. This is a time to evaluate the effectiveness of the action plan and gather insights for future projects.

What are the best features to look for in your next action plan template? In a nutshell, there’s a lot to keep in mind.

An action plan template helps you stay on top of your workflows and be more strategic about how you approach them. And since projects vary in complexity, industry, scope, and timelines, no two action plan templates will look or function the same. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you’re looking for the template that best suits your needs, rather than the one that’s just doing the most.

A good rule of thumb is to stick to these five qualities:

• Multiple views : The ability to choose the way you visualize and complete tasks will put the power back in your hands when it comes to structuring and executing your projects. Every team member works differently, and whether you’re a visual learner or prefer working from a list, multiple views make every person’s preference possible.
• Highly visual : Especially during brainstorming sessions and R&D, having the option to map out steps in a process is a major asset. Whether your team is using a digital whiteboard or mind map software , highly visual flowcharts and diagrams turn action planning into a more collaborative experience.
• Intuitive UI : Your template might have all the right features, but if the team can’t figure out how to use them, the value is gone! Make sure your action plan template is easy to navigate, customize, and edit.
• Collaborative and sharable : An action plan template can be for the entire team, not just the project manager. Everyone involved (including stakeholders) should have easy access to your template and the ability to add updates as needed.
• Tons of integrations : Integrations extend the functionality of your project management software and fill any feature gaps your template might have.

And that’s just to name a few! Your team or project might require a few other more specific features, but starting with these five will guarantee a powerful and useful business action plan template .

In the world of project management, different projects call for different action plans. Here’s a closer look at some of the more common types of action plan templates you might come across:

1. Business Action Plan Templates: This type of template is great for outlining the steps that are needed to achieve business goals and initiatives. This can include things like launching a new product, expanding into a new market, or reducing overhead costs.

2. Personal Action Plan Templates: These templates are perfect for individuals looking to plan out personal goals, like losing weight, planning a vacation, or learning a new skill.

3. Sales Action Plan Templates: If you’re looking to boost sales, this template can help by outlining the methods and techniques to use to reach your sales targets, and how to track your progress along the way.

4. Emergency Action Plan Templates: These are vital for businesses to plan in advance for potential emergency situations, ensuring all staff members know what actions to take for both safety and business continuity.

5. Employee Engagement Action Plan Templates: Focusing on measures to improve employee engagement within the company, these templates typically involve steps to boost morale, improve communication, and increase job satisfaction.

Start Planning With Project Action Plan Templates

Any of these 10 templates will start your project planning off on the right foot. But while they all share similarities, a select few stand out for their ease of use, customization abilities, power, and functionality…

Templates by ClickUp. 🙌🏼

ClickUp is more than your average project management tool—it’s the ultimate productivity platform and the only software powerful enough to centralize your work across apps into one collaborative hub.

In fact, ClickUp Whiteboards , Docs, and its 15+ unique project views are just a few of the reasons why teams across industries rely on ClickUp, and how it makes your action plans more valuable from start to finish.

Access the templates linked above and hundreds more from ClickUp’s Template Library , and tons of rich project management features across every pricing plan . Plus, ClickUp integrates with more than 1,000 other work tools to streamline business processes even further.

Sign up for ClickUp today and watch your action plans come to life. 🏆

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How to Write a Business Action Plan

Every business owner has dreams about where he wants to take his business. But until these dreams are converted into a strategic plan with goals and objectives, they will probably not become a reality.

Developing a business action plan is the way to turn the owner's ambitions into reality, and finally, into more money in his bank account.

An effective business plan starts with setting up goals using the SMART outline. Goals created with a SMART framework have the following characteristics:

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• Measurable:
• Attainable:

The next step is to convert the goal to "increase sales of outdoor skates by 12 percent in the next six months" into an action plan.

How to Achieve the Goal

Each goal must have an outline for the process necessary to achieve the goal. The first objective is to increase the number of prospective buyers coming in the store.

In the case of selling more outdoor skates, one step may be to do more advertising in print and on television about the wide choice of outdoor skates that the store has in stock. Another step could be to email the store's list of customers about an upcoming sale on outdoor skates.

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How to determine advertising objectives, what is the difference between goals & targets in business, the importance of setting business objectives, how to rotate video on android, what is a revenue model, which resources are needed.

If the company will use advertising to drive more traffic into the store, how much will it cost? How much money will be needed for the total campaign? Effective advertising requires repeating an ad several times before it has the desired effect on the consumer. All of this costs money.

The action plan should define the amount of money needed, the number of people required and any physical assets that will be necessary.

Who Is Responsible

To achieve a goal, someone must be held accountable. It could be more than one person or even a department. In any case, the employees must know what their goal is and when it should be attained.

In the case of increasing sales of outdoor skates, the sales staff on the floor must have their own individual sales goals. They also must have the training in sales techniques and product knowledge to effectively perform their jobs.

Track the Progress

Set up a procedure to receive regular reports on the progress toward achieving the goal. If it appears that the company is not on the required pace to meet their goal, then adjustments can be made to get back on track.

Business action plans are the vehicles that transform dreams into reality. Goals that are created with the SMART method and combined with employee accountability and tracking have the highest likelihood of being achieved.

• Iowa State University: Vision and Mission Statements: A Vision of Where You Want to Go and How to Get There
• Capital One: Guide For Creating a Start-Up Action Plan
• Augsburg University: Creating an Action Plan
• Focus on short term goals that you want to achieve this year and rewrite the business action plan next year.

James Woodruff has been a management consultant to more than 1,000 small businesses. As a senior management consultant and owner, he used his technical expertise to conduct an analysis of a company's operational, financial and business management issues. James has been writing business and finance related topics for work.chron, bizfluent.com, smallbusiness.chron.com and e-commerce websites since 2007. He graduated from Georgia Tech with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and received an MBA from Columbia University.

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How to Write an Action Plan (Example Included)

You’re likely eager to meet your goals, whether they’re personal or professional. Without an action plan, however, there’s no roadmap on how to get there. This is where a well-designed plan can make it easier to track and meet your goals.

What Is an Action Plan?

In project management , an action plan is a document that lists the action steps needed to achieve project goals and objectives. Therefore, it clarifies what resources you’ll need to reach those goals, makes a timeline for the action items and determines what team members are required. We’ll define what project goals, project objectives, action items and action steps are later in this guide.

An action plan is similar to a project implementation plan, and it’s very helpful during the project planning and project execution phases. That’s because an action plan documents the execution of the project plan; it’s a detailed list of the work that must be done to complete the project goals, from the start of the project to the finish.

Not only are you figuring out the action steps and timeline, but you’ll also determine who you’ll assemble for your project team to work on those tasks. This requires robust project management software like ProjectManager . ProjectManager offers multiple planning tools such as Gantt charts, kanban boards, project calendars and more. Best of all, these project planning views sync with project dashboards, timesheets and workload charts to keep track of progress, project resources and costs.

What Is the Purpose of an Action Plan?

The main goal of an action plan is to outline the resources and timeline needed to reach the project’s goals. It helps clarify objectives and provides a clear vision of the desired outcome. As the name suggests, it breaks down the goal into actionable steps and assigns responsibilities, so everyone on the team understands the key deadlines and how resources will be used.

Beyond the logistics, an action plan also provides a framework to track progress and adjust to stay on track. For example, if the goal is to launch a new product by Nov. 1 but market research isn’t finished until Oct. 25th, the plan will need to be adjusted accordingly. If risks develop along the way, contingency plans can mitigate any adverse outcomes. Finally, it provides a basis for measuring success once the goals are achieved.

Who Should Make Action Plans?

While project managers use action plans, other team leaders and business managers who execute a project or a process can also use them. Action plans can be used alone or with a team; in scenarios where the team is involved, the leader will assemble the plan and gather everyone’s input.

Here’s an overview of who should be involved in creation and implementation:

• Project Management Professionals: Project, program and project portfolio managers and project management offices ( PMOs )
• Business Operations Management Teams: Department heads, functional managers and supervisors
• Organizational Planning Teams: Top management team, executives, board of directors and project sponsors

For example, the project manager will develop the action plan to oversee the project from start to finish. This ensures the project is executed on track and within scope. Project sponsors will look over the plan to confirm that it aligns with strategic goals, and stakeholders will use it to stay informed on the overall progress and how it impacts their interests.

Action Plan vs. Project Plan

While action plans and project plans are two important project management tools, they’re used differently. An action plan narrows the steps needed to achieve a particular goal. It’s often used for small tasks or project initiatives. Components of an action plan include tasks, responsibilities, deadlines, resources and status. For example, an action plan for launching a new product includes market research, product development and a plan to launch the product into the market.

A project plan , on the other hand, is an overarching framework of how to manage a project from beginning to end. It‘s broader in scope and covers all areas of the project. Components of the project plan include objectives, scope statement, work breakdown structure (WBS), schedule, budget, risk management plan, communication plan and quality plan.

Action Plan Components

An action plan answers the who, what and when of what you’re proposing. Those questions are answered by the various components that make up the plan. The following are the basic building blocks of a successful plan.

• Goals and Objectives: Before you make any plan, set goals and objectives. It’s key to understand what you are trying to achieve before you start defining steps to get there.
• Action Steps: These steps are the answer to the question of what. They’re the activities that’ll lead to achieving your goal. Steps detail what will happen, and the more detail, the better.
• Action Items: The action items are the specific, small tasks that make up the action plan steps. These are the tasks that, when executed, lead to the next  step. It’s important to define the priority level of these action items as well as the deliverables expected from them.
• Timeline: A  timeline is the whole action plan laid out from start to finish. It shows the full duration and every step and task is also plotted on this timeline, including their start and end dates.
• Resources: Resources are anything needed to execute the action plan. That includes labor, materials, equipment, etc. You’ll want to identify the resources you’ll need and attach them to the tasks to which they’ll be applied.
• Costs: Resources, such as people and equipment, are going to cost money. Be sure to identify the costs that are obvious or hidden deep within your action plan.
• Action Plan Matrix: A matrix is just a tool to help you determine which tasks you need to complete and in what order. Use our free action plan template to outline the steps, items, timeline and resources you’ll need to get the plan done right.
• Action Plan Report: You’ll need to ensure your actual progress matches your planned progress. To track progress, you’ll want to use an action plan report, which is a snapshot of your time, costs and more over a specific period.

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Action Plan Template

Use this free Action Plan Template for Excel to manage your projects better.

Types of Action Plans

There are many different types of action plans that are used on various kinds of strategic initiatives. Each is similar in makeup but differs in their goals. Here are a few of the varieties.

Business Action Plan

A business action plan is used to set goals and tasks when you want to start a business or grow an existing business. It outlines the vision for the business and the actions you’ll take to achieve that vision.

Project Action Plan

An action plan for a project is really no different from a general action plan. The only difference is that it’s about producing a deliverable at the end of the plan, whether that be a product or service.

Personal Action Plan

Again, a personal action plan differs little from any other, except for the goal. For example, a personal action plan might be for an individual to exercise more. Therefore, the goal might be to walk for a half-hour a day, say, during lunchtime.

How to Write an Action Plan for Project Management in 10 Steps

The benefits of an action plan are simple: you’ve now outlined what action steps and what resources are needed to reach your stated project goals. By having this collected in a single project management document, you can more successfully plan out how to execute your project plan.

People get overwhelmed by project management jargon when having to plan out a project, but the word “action” everyone can understand. The fundamentals to getting an action plan together for any project follow these four project planning basic steps:

1. Define Your Project Goals

There’s a difference between project goals and project objectives. Project goals refer to the high-level goals that the project will achieve. Those generally align with the strategic planning and business objectives of organizations.

2. Define Your Project Objectives

The project objectives are much more specific than the project goals. Project objectives refer to the deliverables and milestones that need to be completed to achieve your project goals.

3. Define Action Steps

The action steps are a group of related tasks or action items that must be executed to produce project deliverables.

4. Identify and Prioritize Action Items

Action items are small, individual tasks that make up the action steps that are outlined in your action plan. First, you need to identify task dependencies among them, and then assign those action items a priority level so that they’re executed sequentially.

5. Define Roles & Responsibilities

Now that you’ve divided the work required to accomplish your action plan, you’ll need to assign action items to your project team members and define their roles and responsibilities.

6. Allocate Resources

As with your project plan, your action plan has resource requirements. Having identified your action steps and action items will help you understand what resources are needed for each task and allocate them accordingly.

7. Set SMART Goals

Your action plan needs to be monitored and controlled to measure its performance. That’s why it’s important that you set SMART goals for your action items, action steps and your project objectives. SMART goals stand for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely.

8. Set a Timeline for Your Action Plan

As a project manager, you’ll need to do your best to estimate how long it’ll take to complete your action items and action steps. Once you do so, you’ll have a timeline. You can use project management techniques like PERT charts or the critical path method to better estimate the duration of your project action plan.

9. Write an Action Plan Template

Create or use a simple action plan template to collect tasks, deadlines and assignments. This is the place where everything task-related goes in your project action plan, so you have a place for all this crucial information.

Writing an action plan template it’s a great idea because you’ll need to use that format throughout the project. That’s why we’ve created a free action plan template that you can download. There are also dozens of other free project management templates for Excel and Word that can help you with every phase of your project.

10. Use a Project Management Tool

Use a project management tool to keep you on task. ProjectManager has project planning features that help you monitor and report on project progress and performance. Get a high-level view of the action plan with our live dashboards. Unlike other tools, we don’t make you set up the dashboard.

Once you’ve mapped out your action plan, you can use project planning tools to zoom into all the details about your action steps and action items. With ProjectManager, you can calculate various metrics, such as project variance, workload and more. They’re displayed in easy-to-read charts and graphs. Share them with stakeholders to give them updates on action steps whenever they want.

Action Plan Example

We’ve been talking a lot about action plans, but the best way to learn how they work is to review an action plan example. Below, you’ll see our free action plan template . It’s set up for the development of a website.

Example Goals & Objectives

The first thing to do when making an action plan is to clearly define its goals and objectives. Objectives are the specific accomplishments or outcomes that are needed to achieve the larger goals, as shown in the image below.

Example Action Steps

Then, once these have been defined, the action plan is broken down into four action steps: market research, website development, site launch and site maintenance. You’ll see that specific tasks or action items are outlined for each action step, including a description of that task, who’s assigned to execute it, its priority level and even the status of its completion.

Example Action Plan Timeline

There’s also a timeline to define the start dates of each of the tasks in the action steps, including the planned hours. This allows you to determine the length of each task and the duration of the entire action plan, from start to finish.

Example Resources

Finally, there’s a place to add your resources. They’re broken down into departments, for example, marketing, web development, etc. Then the materials that are required for each task are listed, including their costs. This allows you to estimate the cost of the plan.

How to Make An Action Plan With ProjectManager

See how action plans are typically laid out using project planning software .

1. Plan with Multiple Project Views

ProjectManager can help you build your action plan and then execute it. Collect all your action steps tasks on our list view, which does more than light-weight to-do list apps because it allows you to then map your plan with Gantt charts , project calendars and kanban boards. These robust project management tools allow you to prioritize action items, customize tags and show the percentage complete for each task. Our online project management software gives you real-time data to help you create an action plan and stick to it.

2. Assign Action Items to Your Team Members

Once you’ve mapped out your action plan steps with ProjectManager’s project planning tools , you can assign tasks to your team members and indicate what resources are needed for the completion of each action item. Indicate their roles and responsibilities and set priority levels for each task to ensure the work is carried out properly.

3. Set Action Plan Steps and Deliverables

It’s important to note all the phases of the project timeline to know what action steps and tasks will take place and when. In addition, ProjectManager’s Gantt chart allows you to identify project phases, find the critical path, and set due dates for project milestones and deliverables

4. Track Progress With Real-Time Dashboards

Once you start the project, you’ll need to chart the progress of the work being done. This leads us to the real-time project dashboard , where you’ll check whether your action plan is on schedule and under budget.

Manage Your Project With an Action Plan

Getting a plan together is only the first part of managing a project . Remember, it’s not something to write and put away, but rather it’s a living document that should follow you throughout the project life cycle. Jennifer Bridges, PMP, offers more tips on how to write an action plan in the video below.

Here’s a screenshot for your reference:

ProjectManager gives you all the tools you need to create and implement a successful plan. Regardless of the type of action plan that you need to create, our award-winning project management software makes it easy to do so. Get started with a free 30-day trial today. 

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• Define your market, tools, and goals.
• Use social media, SEO, and data analysis for growth.

Starting an online business can be an exciting adventure, but it can also feel overwhelming, especially if you're new to entrepreneurship generally, and e-business in particular.

1. Choose your business type

The first step in starting your online business is deciding what type of business it will be, because the fact is, there are many options. Here are a few broad categories to consider:

• E-commerce: You would sell physical or digital products through an online store. You could also do this via affiliate marketing, where you sell someone else's product and make a commission, or dropshipping, where you sell the products of a manufacturer and it handles all logistics.
• Service-based business: You would offer services over the internet, like consulting, freelance work, or online coaching.
• Content creation: "Content is king," as they say. In this business, you would create and monetize content, such as blogs, podcasts, TikTok videos, or YouTube videos.
• Subscription services: You would sell products, services, or memberships on a subscription basis, like via a monthly membership site.

Pro tip: Choose a type of business that aligns with your skills, interests, and the market demand.

2. Create a plan of action

Once you have chosen your business type, the next step is to create a plan of action. You don't necessarily need a business plan (especially because most people either never finish writing one or never follow it anyway).

Why a Business Credit Card Could Transform Your Small Business

These business credit cards that offer a convenient and efficient way to separate personal and business expenses, simplifying accounting and tax reporting.

Additionally, business cards can provide valuable perks such as rewards points, cashback, and expense tracking tools, enhancing financial management and the potential to help save money in the long run.

• Who is your target market?
• How will you market to them?
• What tools and platforms will you need?
• What are your short- and long-term goals?

3. Get a domain name and set up a website

Whatever type of online business you choose, you will need a website. It will be the face of your online business, so choose a domain name that is easy to remember and reflects your brand. In fact, if the URL can be the name of your business, all the better. Note: While a .com site is still preferable, almost any suffix will do today.

Once you have your domain, you can use website builders like WordPress, Wix, Shopify, or Squarespace to create a professional-looking site.

Pro tip: Ensure your website is mobile-friendly, as more than half of all web traffic comes from mobile devices now.

4. Set up your social channels

Social media should be one of your main ways to market your business, engage with customers, and get your name out. Indeed, Forbes says that 77% of small businesses use social media to connect with customers.

You will need social channels and handles that reflect your business name and URL. They don't have to be exactly the same, but they do need to be close.

Example : My site is called PlanetSmallBusiness.com. My social handles are all @PlanetSmallBiz.

5. Set up payment processing

The point is to make money, right? So you will need a way to accept payments online. Popular point-of-sale options include PayPal, Stripe, and Square.

6. Market your business -- and then market it some more

Once your website is live, it's time to attract customers, but no one yet knows you're out there. You will need to market the heck out of your new online venture.

Use social media, email marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO) to drive traffic to your site. Consider also starting a blog or a YouTube or TikTok channel to build authority in your niche.

7. Launch and test

Before formally launching, test every aspect of your website and social channels, including the checkout process. Make sure everything runs smoothly. You might even consider a soft launch to get feedback from friends or a small group of customers.

8. Analyze and adapt

One of the best parts of e-commerce and online businesses is that stats arrive in real time and pivoting is easy. Once your business is up and running, regularly review your metrics. Use tools like Google Analytics to track your traffic and conversion rates. Adapt as necessary.

Here's the thing to remember: Starting an online business is a journey, not a race. Stay patient, stay focused, and don't be afraid to make adjustments. With persistence and the right approach, you can turn your big idea into a thriving online success.

Our Research Expert

Steve Strauss is the president of a boutique content company, The Strauss Group, and is a bestselling small business author and columnist. He can be reached at www.MrAllBiz.com, or at [email protected] .

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DfE Business Plan 2024-25

Date published: 09 September 2024

The Department for Economy’s (DfE) 2024/25 Business Plan provides a forward look over the next three years and sets out what DfE needs to do to deliver growth for the economy in Northern Ireland.

It highlights upcoming key projects and actions that we plan to take including the restructuring of Invest NI so that it is more focused on regional economic development; a Renewable Electricity Support Scheme; a new electricity grid connection policy; an Aviation and Route Development Policy; improved support for people with special educational needs (SEN) after they leave school; and a circular economy strategy.

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New local action plan launched to boost Tees Valley economy

Innovate UK has partnered with the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) on a new plan to boost business productivity and innovation in the Tees Valley region.

Download the action plan

The plan was unveiled at the Tees Valley Local Action Plan launch today, Thursday 5 th September, hosted by CPI’s National Biologics Manufacturing Centre in Darlington. The event was attended by local business leaders and regional stakeholders.

This Local Action Plan for Tees Valley is one of seven regional plans currently in place across the UK, with more in the works. These action plans are part of Innovate UK’s broader ‘Place’ strategy, which aims to unlock regional potential by taking a localised approach to innovation support.

By working closely with regional partners like TVCA, Innovate UK can better understand and respond to the unique strengths, needs and growth opportunities within local economies. This place-based model helps drive regionally inclusive innovation that creates high-value jobs and boosts productivity where it matters most.

Over the past five years Innovate UK has invested £52 million into innovation projects across Tees Valley. This helps businesses de-risk innovation, secure private funding, boost competitiveness, and create jobs.

By working in close collaboration with TVCA to create the Local Action Plan, Innovate UK aims to build on this momentum and capitalise on the region’s strengths in low-carbon technologies, digital, biosciences, and manufacturing. A core focus is establishing Tees Valley as a net zero industrial cluster by 2040 – helping businesses decarbonise, restore biodiversity, attract investment, and generate high-value local employment.

Other shared priorities include strengthening the digital economy and expanding the role of biosciences in tackling climate change by generating clean energy, using more efficient materials, and reducing plastic waste.

To deliver on these ambitions, the Local Action Plan promotes collaboration with TVCA across three key areas:

• Strategic Partnerships creating the right connections for the Tees Valley innovation ecosystem to drive local economic growth.
• Targeted and Accessible Innovation Support tailored to meet the needs of local businesses, complementing other support services.
• Effective Communication and Promotion to raise awareness of available opportunities and inspire more participation in innovation.

Innovate UK CEO, Indro Mukerjee welcomed the new plan, stating:

As the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK is focused on building strong partnerships across the UK to support innovation and drive economic growth. I am pleased to launch our collaborative Tees Valley Local Action Plan, which is the result of a strong and close partnership with Tees Valley Combined Authority.

Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor , said:

From developing major low-carbon energy projects to creating the digital solutions of tomorrow – our area is renowned as a leader in innovation and creativity. It’s essential we have the right plan in place to build on this further however, and this collaboration with Innovate UK will support key inward investment and deliver well-paid high skilled jobs to drive our local economy forward.

Download the Tees Valley Local Action Plan

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LARRY KUDLOW: This is what Kamala Harris' 'so-called economic plan' actually looks like

Kudlow unpacks vice president kamala harris' plans for the economy.

Kamala Harris flubbed the most important question of the campaign: Larry Kudlow

FOX Business host Larry Kudlow gives his take on Vice President Kamala Harris’ answers during the ABC News Presidential Debate on ‘Kudlow.’

Kamala Harris flubbed the most important question of the campaign. And a big hat tip to Byron York, the veteran ace columnist of the Washington Examiner. Byron was referring to the economy , which, of course, is the most important issue in the campaign, and that was the first question of the debate, and it went to Harris: "When it comes to the economy, do you believe Americans are better off than they were four years ago?"

Byron York's key point about Kamala's answer was that there was virtually no there, there. 

Her most heralded proposal is a $50,000 small business startup deduction. But actually, under current tax law, which is still the Trump tax cut law, new business owners can already deduct most early stage expenses like payroll and equipment costs. 

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to a crowd during a campaign event at James B. Dudley High School on July 11, 2024, in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Startup expenses are usually minimal. And so many small business startups will never spend $50,000, at least at the beginning. In other words, it's a poorly thought out plan. And, of course, she never mentioned her proposal to repeal virtually all of the highly successful Trump tax cuts, including the 100% immediate expensing bonus for the purchase of new machinery and equipment. 

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE CALL TO EXTEND TRUMP TAX CUTS, AVOID ‘LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN AMERICAN HISTORY’

That bonus depreciation is one of the most powerful, pro-growth policies for large, small, and new businesses. And it looks like Harris would repeal it. Plus, her so-called economic plan raises the top income tax rate to 39.6%, which is what most successful new and small business owners pay. 

Her plan would repeal the 20% small business cost deduction embodied in the Trump plan. Plus, she would jack up the capital gains tax, which rewards successful small business owners. And on top of that, it raises the estate tax, which is another reward for successful small business owners. 

Kamala Harris' flip-flops make her 'uniquely susceptible' to media questioning: Clay Travis

OutKick founder Clay Travis discusses whether Kamala Harris' strategy of avoiding the media will win her the election on 'Varney & Co.'

So she can prattle on about a startup deduction, but really what one hand giveth, the other hand taketh away and then some. You wanna hear a major league tax cut plan for business? Here's Mr. Trump at the New York Economics Club last Thursday.

DONALD TRUMP: "The fifth pillar of my plan is to make the Trump tax cuts permanent. My plan calls for expanded R&D tax credits, 100% bonus depreciation expensing for new money factory investments, and a reduction in the corporate tax rate from 21% to 15% - solely for companies that make their product in America."

That plan led to an increase in cumulative real income pre-pandemic for typical working families of $6,400 during the Trump years, almost 5 times as much as the Biden-Harris gain of only $1,350. Now, the rest of Kamala's so-called economic plan is throwing out $25,000 of free money to buy homes -- which would of course jack up the price of new homes, which are already out of reach for young Americans. 

Home ownership is becoming elusive for young Americans: Lydia Hu

FOX Business' Lydia Hu and Lauren Simonetti discuss America's housing affordability crisis on 'Making Money.'

SOCIAL SECURITY COLA PROJECTED TO BE 2.5% FOR 2025, SMALLEST SINCE 2021

Then she touts a $6,000 refundable child tax credit, which amounts to a guaranteed basic income for those who do not work. That's her so-called opportunity economy.  

Byron calls it "the government giving people taxpayer money so they can pay higher prices." He notes that many economists believe these kinds of proposals are too big, too broad, and not the best use of the money to help those most in need, that according to a WSJ news story. 

By the way, Mr. Trump did double the child tax credit from $1,000 to $2,000, but on top of that, he slashed marginal tax rates for all individuals and, of course, all businesses, thereby providing incentives to work and invest across the board. 

Harris doesn't understand the concept of cutting taxes to stimulate the economy: Steve Moore

Heritage Foundation economist Steve Moore explains the difference between Ronald Reagan's tax cuts and Kamala Harris' plan to raise taxes on 'Making Money.'

Now, Harris also wants to again increase the earned income tax credit, also fully refundable and the most fraud-ridden program in the U.S. government, with an estimated $22 billion in fraudulent or erroneous payments. And then remember in her economic speech in North Carolina, she proposed price controls on food and groceries, and who knows what else, an idea that was ridiculed by economists on both sides of the aisle. 

Plus, her economic package was variously estimated at $2 trillion. Of course, that's on top of the $2 trillion Biden-Harris budget deficit that runs as far as the eye can see. She has never proposed a single reduction in federal spending and has never had an answer for record deficit spending, all of which would contribute to higher, not lower long-run inflation . 

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So with all that, Mr. Byron York concludes that Kamala Harris never answered the question: "When it comes to the economy, do you believe Americans are better off now than they were four years ago?" And for millions of people, undoubtedly, that answer is no. And that's my riff.

This article is adapted from Larry Kudlow's opening commentary on the September 12, 2024, edition of "Kudlow."