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Learn how to make your vision concrete by describing the strategies that your organization will use to meet its goals and objectives. |
Developing an action plan can help changemakers turn their visions into reality, and increase efficiency and accountability within an organization. An action plan describes the way your organization will meet its objectives through detailed action steps that describe how and when these steps will be taken. This section provides a guide for developing and utilizing your group's action plan.
In some ways, an action plan is a "heroic" act: it helps us turn our dreams into a reality. An action plan is a way to make sure your organization's vision is made concrete. It describes the way your group will use its strategies to meet its objectives. An action plan consists of a number of action steps or changes to be brought about in your community.
Each action step or change to be sought should include the following information:
The action plan for your initiative should meet several criteria.
Is the action plan:
There is an inspirational adage that says, "People don't plan to fail. Instead they fail to plan." Because you certainly don't want to fail, it makes sense to take all of the steps necessary to ensure success, including developing an action plan.
There are lots of good reasons to work out the details of your organization's work in an action plan, including:
Ideally, an action plan should be developed within the first six months to one year of the start of an organization. It is developed after you have determined the vision, mission, objectives, and strategies of your group. If you develop an action plan when you are ready to start getting things done, it will give you a blueprint for running your organization or initiative.
Remember, though, that an action plan is always a work in progress. It is not something you can write, lock in your file drawers, and forget about. Keep it visible. Display it prominently. As your organization changes and grows, you will want to continually (usually monthly) revise your action plan to fit the changing needs of your group and community.
Determine what people and sectors of the community should be changed and involved in finding solutions.
If you have been using the VMOSA (Vision, Mission, Objectives, Strategies, Action Plans) model, you might have already done this, when you were deciding upon your group's objectives. Again, try to be inclusive. Most of the health and development issues that community partnerships deal with are community-wide, and thus need a community-wide solution. Possible sectors include the media, the business community, religious organizations, schools, youth organizations, social service organizations, health organizations, and others.
Some members of the community you might consider asking to join the action planning group include:
Let's consider some of the people who were involved with the planning group for the fictional Reducing the Risks (RTR) Coalition that hopes to reduce the rate of teen pregnancy. Some of the members of this planning group included teachers at the local high school, local teenagers and their parents, members of the clergy, counselors and school nurses, staff of the county health department, and members of youth organizations, service agencies, and other organizations that focus on youth issues.
Convene a planning group in your community to design your action plan . This might be the same group of people who worked with you to decide your group's strategies and objectives. If you are organizing a new group of people, try to make your planning committee as diverse and inclusive as possible. Your group should look like the people most affected by the problem or issue.
Once everyone is present, go over your organization's:
Develop an action plan composed of action steps that address all proposed changes. The plan should be complete, clear, and current. Additionally, the action plan should include information and ideas you have already gathered while brainstorming about your objectives and your strategies. What are the steps you must take to carry out your objectives while still fulfilling your vision and mission? Now it's time for all of the VMOSA components to come together. While the plan might address general goals you want to see accomplished, the action steps will help you determine the specific actions you will take to help make your vision a reality. Here are some guidelines to follow to write action steps.
Members of the community initiative will want to determine:
Example: RTR Coalition's Action Step (a sample) One community change sought by this coalition to prevent teen pregnancy was to increase publicity about contraception and unwanted pregnancy at the local high school. What action or change will occur: Hanging posters, displays, and other information about contraception and the facts about unwanted pregnancy in the hallways of the local high school. The posters and other information will become a permanent part of the high school. Posters and information will be regularly changed as new materials become available. Who will carry it out: A sub-committee comprised of parents and guardians, teachers, students, and coalition members will be responsible for maintaining the displays. The coalition as a whole will work towards finding funding to purchase the materials. Maria and Alex of the schools action group will be responsible for researching and ordering the materials. By when will it take place, and for how long: The coalition will try to have posters hanging and displays visible within six weeks of deciding on the action step (2/19/2013). What resources are needed to carry out the step: The coalition will approach the school district to request funding for the project. Otherwise, the group will seek funding from other sources such as foundations and local businesses to finance the program. Communication about the action step. The school principal and leadership of the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) should be given information about this planned change.
Things to note about this portion of the RTR action plan:
Review your completed action plan carefully to check for completeness. Make sure that each proposed change will help accomplish your group's mission. Also, be sure that the action plan taken as a whole will help you complete your mission; that is, make sure you aren't leaving anything out.
Follow through. One hard part (figuring out what to do) is finished. Now take your plan and run with it! Remember the 80-20 rule: successful efforts are 80% follow through on planned actions and 20% planning for success.
Keep everyone informed about what's going on. Communicate to everyone involved how his or her input was incorporated. No one likes to feel like her wit and wisdom has been ignored.
Keep track of what (and how well) you've done. Always keep track of what the group has actually done. If the community change (a new program or policy) took significant time or resources, it's also a good idea to evaluate what you have done, either formally or informally.
Keep several questions in mind for both yourself and others:
You can address these questions informally (ask yourself, chat with friends and other people), as well as formally, through surveys and other evaluation methods.
Celebrate a job well done! Celebrate your accomplishments; you and those you work with deserve it. Celebration helps keep everyone excited and interested in the work they are doing.
Every community organization has undoubtedly had this happen: you plan and you assign tasks to get everything you've planned to do accomplished. Everyone agrees (maybe they even offer) to do certain tasks, and you all leave with a great feeling of accomplishment. The problem? At the next meeting, nothing has been done. Besides tearing out your hair, what can you do?
Fortunately, there are several things you can try. It's particularly tricky in the case of volunteers, because you don't want to lean too hard on someone who is donating their time and energy to begin with. Still, you can make it easier for members to get things done (and harder to avoid work) without acting like the mean neighbor down the street. Some of these gentle reminders include:
Follow up on the action plan regularly. You are asking members to be accountable, and to get things done on a regular basis. If they have agreed, you should help them fulfill their commitment as best you can.
Online Resources
The Ruckus Society offers an Action Planning Manual that discusses strategies for nonviolent direct action.
Preventing Adolescent Substance Abuse: An Action Planning Guide for Community-Based Initiatives
Preventing Youth Violence: An Action Planning Guide for Community-Based Initiatives
Preventing Adolescent Pregnancy: An Action Planning Guide for Community-Based Initiatives
Promoting Child Well-Being: An Action Planning Guide for Community-Based Initiatives
Promoting Urban Neighborhood Development: An Action Planning Guide for Improving Housing, Jobs, Education, Safety and Health
Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect : An Action Planning Guide for Community-Based Initiatives
Reducing Risk for Chronic Disease: An Action Planning Guide for Community-Based Initiatives
Print Resources
Barry, B. (1984). Strategic planning workbook for nonprofit organizations . St. Paul: MN: Amherst H. Wilder Foundation.
Berkowitz, W. (1982). Community impact: creating grassroots change in hard times . Cambridge, MA: Schenkman Publishing.
Bryson, J. (1988). Strategic planning for public and nonprofit organizations: A guide to strengthening and sustaining organizational achievement . San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
Fawcett, S., Paine, A., Francisco, V., Richter, K., Lewis, R., Williams, E., Harris, K., Winter, K., in collaboration with Bradley, B. & Copple, J. (1992). Preventing adolescent substance abuse: an action planning guide for community-based initiatives . Lawrence, KS: Work Group on Health Promotion and Community Development, University of Kansas.
Fawcett, S., Claassen, L., Thurman, T., Whitney, H., & Cheng, H. (1996). Preventing child abuse and neglect: an action planning guide for building a caring community . Lawrence, KS: Work Group on Health Promotion and Community Development, University of Kansas.
Kansas Health Foundation. VMOSA: An approach to strategic planning . Wichita, KS: Kansas Health Foundation.
Lord, R. (1989). The nonprofit problem solver . New York, NY: Praeger.
Olenick, A. & Olenick, P. (1991). A nonprofit organization manual . New York, NY: The Foundation Center.
Unterman, I., & Davis, R. (1984). Strategic management of not-for-profit organizations . New York, NY: CBS Educational and Professional Publishing.
Wolf, T. (1990). Managing a nonprofit organization . New York, NY: Prentice Hall.
Watson-Thompson, J., Fawcett, S., & Schultz, J. (2008). Differential effects of strategic planning on community change in two urban neighborhood coalitions. American Journal of Community Psychology, 42, 25-38.
Whether you’re a project manager working with a new team, or a team manager preparing for the new year or quarter – you must have an action plan. It gives you motivation to get things done as efficiently as possible. An action plan is your “plan of attack” so to speak. It is made up of daily tasks, organized on a weekly basis, with a greater agenda – to help you achieve quarterly or yearly goals.
An action plan is a detailed overview of the initiatives and actions you plan to take in order to achieve a specific goal, or complete a project.
We’re going to dive into the crucial information you need in your action plan. Once you comprehend the value in each of the following points – you’re ready to start working with your team.
An effective action plan includes the following elements:
Don’t worry about the organization of these things – we’ve created that for you! Our action plan template includes all of the above elements, ensuring that you’ll have all the necessary information you need in front of you.
Used within teams, our free action plan template helps to hold you accountable and more importantly, getting you closer to your shared goals!
1. smart goals.
A good way to determine whether or not your goal is SMART is to use our SMART goals worksheet , this breaks down the questions you need to answer in order to get to the nitty gritty “good stuff”.
Examples of SMART goals:
Increase overall search engine traffic by 10% within 2 months Improve the quality of our data from X landing page by increasing traffic from 200 users to 1000 users in Quarter 4 Test messaging on 4 segments and agree upon a unified message by the end of the Quarter 3.
SMART goals are nothing without agreeing upon and setting initiatives.
Initiatives are the larger projects you and your team decide to work on over a designated period of time that help bring you closer to those values you set out for yourself in your goals.
Let’s work with the following goal:
To improve the quality of data from X landing page by increasing traffic from 200 to 1000 users in Quarter 4
You need to question HOW your team can do that. What bigger projects will you agree on together and work to accomplish during the coming weeks?
You should strive to be SMART with these initiatives too. It’s important that you can evaluate your success and understand when to move onto the next project or initiative.
Some initiatives for this example could be:
Publish 5 quality content guest posts with links to X landing page on relevant sources Schedule 4 social media posts (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter) each month to increase engagement levels from 30 likes to 60 likes Review paid ads history of competitors and create 2 A/B test campaigns to run for the quarter
As you can see, these initiatives are bigger projects that can’t be effectively completed in just one week by one person. These are team level projects that need smaller tasks beneath them. We recommend 1-3 initiatives per goal depending on your working timeline.
Each initiative has a start date and completion date. This is helpful especially if you’re working on multiple goals and managing a bunch of projects during a year. This helps you to organize your plan, and stay on course. Not only this, but you can see how your plan lived up to your expectations and what you can improve for the upcoming season, quarter, or year.
Whether you plan your year at once, or on a quarterly basis – you should always note which quarter you and your team are working on a specific goal and initiative. Similar to the reasoning behind start and end dates, it helps you understand the resources used at a specific time. Maybe you need to check back for accounting purposes at the end of a fiscal year. Which quarter did you spend the most time and resources on? By keeping track of these dates, you’ll be able to search more effectively when the time comes.
We’ve discussed the need for SMART goals and initiatives…but we haven’t touched on the day to day, week to week individual tasks. If we’re working based on the goal and initiative from above – we need to think of what daily plans each team member needs to do that is related to driving those things forward.
Publish 5 quality content guest posts with links to X landing page on relevant sources Schedule 4 social media posts (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter) each month to increase engagement levels from 30 likes to 60 likes Review paid ads history of competitors and create 2 A/B test campaigns to run for the quarter
Team members are now clear on the assignment for Quarter 4 based on the above goal and initiatives. So, what plans will each team member make in order to get one step closer to checking those things off the list?
Plans should be specific and understandable for someone from an outside perspective to understand, some examples of suitable weekly plans would be:
Plans can be discussed by team members in a weekly stand-up meeting on Fridays, or Mondays. Whenever you decide to speak on a team level to regularly check in about your project plans. Discuss who will do what each week. Someone can update this portion of the document, or team members can do it themselves. A good number of plans per week is around 3-7, depending on their effort and priority level.
Each plan should have a team member that is responsible for the completion of it. This helps to ensure that everything is taken care of, everyone knows who is doing what and who to turn to for questions relating to the specific task.
Priority level indicators help team members understand how a specific task is progressing and how important the task is. At Weekdone, we use the RAG scale system , which we used in the free action plan template as well.
Red 🔴 High priority tasks that should be completed first. If team members see a red indicator next to a teammates plan on Thursday, maybe this is their cue to check in with the teammate to see how they’re progressing and whether they could use a hand.
Amber 🟡 At risk priority is medium level priority that could be an indication of a plan slowing down. Often times, these “at risk” plans get pushed to the back burner – but they should be attended to by someone during the week so they don’t fall behind and cause a bigger issue later.
Green 🟢 Green indicates low priority. This may be a task that shouldn’t take very long to complete. Maybe it’s more of a maintenance item that a certain team member does on a regular basis that doesn’t have a specific completion expectation but still should be attended to.
However you choose to define these indicators for your team, make sure it’s a universal decision so that you’re using them in a uniform manner. You don’t want someone thinking that red is high priority while another uses it to indicate a low priority task! Consistency leaves less room for error and confusion.
Effort level indicators are used to help team leaders visualize how long an individual plan will take to complete. In the action plan template, we use numbers 1-5.
1 indicates the lowest effort needed to complete a weekly plan, increasing to number 5, meaning that weekly plan will need maximum effort from the team member.
However, if someone on the team has many red, level 5 plans – they should keep their number of plans low in order to focus on completing the high priority, maximum effort tasks as thoroughly as possible.
There should be a space for each team member to comment and share updates regarding the status on a certain plan. At the end of each day, team members should update this “comments” section of the template to explain the progress they made.
Maybe they want to comment on how the hours spent on the project became longer than anticipated. Anything they decide would be of use to the team, should be listed on the template in this section. This is especially useful for teams who work asynchronously , as they can turn directly to the template for updates.
Similarly to the communication space – there is a specific column that should be used for a space for employees to share links and evidence of their plans being worked on, should there be something to show.
Maybe you have a shared Google Drive account, or have added something to a Trello work board. If so, you can explain here that your teammates should take a look – direct them by including the link with an anchor text about what they’ll find when they click it.
Don’t be shy – the first step is simply downloading your free action plan template. The sheet is available in Word and Excel depending on your team’s preference, it’s completely customizable as well.
Should you have any tips or questions about template usage, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]
As always, we recommend Team Compass . The software that helps streamline your action plan with goals, initiatives, weekly planning, and automating all the reports for you! This makes project management simple as you can download the reports and share with stakeholders for updates.
Teams 3 or less get all of Team Compass features for free! Larger teams pay just $29/month, or $295 annually. A free 2 week trial is available should you want to test out the features first!
Last updated
21 December 2023
Reviewed by
Mary Mikhail
An action plan is a framework for achieving a goal. In many cases, you must complete complex tasks to get closer to the objective. Action plans make it easier to focus, remember details, and stay on top of deadlines.
Creating an action plan doesn't just help you stay on track. It can become a template for achieving other goals and staying organized.
Learning how to write an action plan with the appropriate level of detail allows you to get things done while building up to your goal. Let’s get into the guide, including an action plan template.
An action plan is a documented collection of steps needed to achieve a certain goal.
Putting your plan into writing divides a complex strategy into smaller achievable parts. This helps you simplify the journey, identify the necessary resources, and set reasonable deadlines.
Types of action plans include:
Business action plan
Sales action plan
Project action plan
Personal action plan
Educational action plan
Regardless of how large or small your objectives are, you can benefit from a detailed plan that helps you meet them.
Creating an action plan can streamline your focus to the right activities at the right time.
If you've achieved similar goals without a plan, you’ll notice how a roadmap can improve your tactics and speed up the process.
Key benefits of a well-designed action plan include:
Clearly defining your goals keeps your team on the same page throughout the process.
Breaking complex goals into manageable tasks makes the process more organized and easier to follow.
An action plan helps you prioritize tasks based on their importance and urgency.
You can easily identify critical elements and allocate resources accordingly, ensuring you direct efforts toward the most impactful activities.
An action plan assigns responsibilities and establishes accountability for each listed task.
Knowing who’s responsible for completing specific tasks promotes a sense of ownership and improves outcomes.
Your action plan is the blueprint that makes sure the necessary tools, materials, or personnel are available to support its successful execution.
A framework for monitoring progress toward the goal allows you to identify obstacles and take corrective actions as needed. Regular monitoring ensures the plan stays on course.
Besides helping you achieve the set goals, the plan is a collaboration tool. It allows all stakeholders to clearly understand the goals, tasks, timelines, and responsibilities.
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While action plans differ for each project, the basics of a successful plan are the same.
Whether you’re building a personal, business, or project plan, you need to follow the same general format:
If you’re making an action plan, you already have a goal. However, it may not be detailed enough to build a robust framework.
Creating a SMART goal lays the foundation for successful planning:
S pecific: the goal should be highly specific and narrow in focus
M easurable: the goal and progress should be measurable by specific metrics
A chievable: the goal should be reasonable enough for you to be able to achieve it
R elevant: the goal should align with your values and long-term goals
T ime-Bound: the goal should contain a reasonable deadline
Example : Your goal is to increase the number of website visits.
The SMART version: "Increase website traffic by 10% by March 1."
Example : Your goal is to read more books.
The SMART version: "Read five books by the end of the year."
You have to break a large goal down into manageable tasks. The next step is to list these tasks and actions that can help you achieve the goal step-by-step.
Besides breaking the big task down, you have to prioritize your tasks. Otherwise, you could face problems with execution, especially if a large team is involved.
Just like the goal, each task must be as specific as possible. Vagueness leads to misunderstandings and misalignment with the primary goal.
Example : Your goal is to "increase website traffic by 10% by March 1."
Your list of actions may look like this:
Conduct a technical SEO assessment and fix errors
Increase the number of blog posts to seven per week
Launch a new PPC campaign
Create an active YouTube channel
Start working with an influencer
These smaller tasks make the goal look less overwhelming and allow you to stay on track.
Next, you need to create a timeline for the project based on the deadline you identified when setting a SMART goal.
Determine the start and end date for each task you listed in the previous step.
Set realistic deadlines, considering the complexity and duration of each task. Be mindful of any time constraints related to the market, economy, and your internal team's needs.
Rely on historical data when creating a timeline. If you couldn’t do similar tasks quickly in the past, use this as your guide.
Just like goals, deadlines should be achievable.
Example : "Complete the technical SEO assessment in one week and fix errors within two weeks."
Once you know exactly how to achieve your goal, identify the resources required for your plan.
They can include:
Team members: If this is a business project, assign roles to your team members and outline their responsibilities.
Third parties : You may need to outsource some tasks, so determine which partners can help you.
Equipment: This includes the software, tools, and instruments you need to complete the outlined tasks.
Example : You’re working on the website traffic goal. You may have to assign responsibilities to your marketing team, outsource SEO to a digital marketing agency, and invest in digital marketing tools.
At this point, you have sufficient information to evaluate the budget necessary for achieving your goal. You may have to adjust your tasks, timeline, and resources accordingly.
While executing an action plan, you need to follow the progress closely.
Since no action plan is set in stone, there’s always room for adjustment. You may have to change task priorities or adjust the budget for some components. In rare cases, you may have to push back the deadline.
To ensure everything’s going to plan, you’ll need to evaluate the progress according to your action plan. That means relying on the metrics you identified when creating your SMART goal and the milestones you listed when setting a timeline.
Even the most well-written action plan could fail. Some of the most common challenges that affect the success of action plans include:
When people responsible for executing the plan aren't sufficiently engaged, they may not follow it enthusiastically. The plan may even add frustration, leading to burnout.
Ensuring your team understands the plan's importance and their responsibilities keeps the project moving in the right direction.
If people are spread too thin, consider involving more team members to distribute the workload. Maintaining good morale and inspiring a sense of ownership drives engagement and support of the plan.
Communication between team members and other stakeholders requires special attention.
If many people are involved, consider making communication methods and tools a part of your action plan.
Share the plan with everyone involved and ensure the latest version is always accessible. Your goal is to keep everyone on the same page throughout the entire process, not just at the start.
Moving along the set timeline and achieving milestones isn't sufficient to ensure the success of your action plan. Sharing regular updates is an essential part of action plan implementation.
Measuring progress and creating relevant reports ensures you can meet the deadline. It also shows your team members their impact on the project, increasing their engagement.
By itself, an action plan contains everything your team needs to achieve success. Once in place, you need to manage the plan on an ongoing basis to make sure everyone stays on track.
Action plan implementation requires seamless communication between team members and other stakeholders.
Online meetings and asynchronous communication tools are key to ensuring everyone understands the details. It’s also vital to maintain availability to answer questions that may arise.
The main element to communicate to everyone involved is the "why" of the plan. Everyone responsible for executing it must understand how their actions contribute to the plan's success and how it adds to the company's bottom line.
Make sure to recognize and celebrate all achievements related to the action plan.
Decide beforehand which tasks’ completion warrants recognition and rewards for your team members. This can boost morale, motivate the team , and maintain enthusiasm throughout the project.
Sharing which actions you’ll reward before the project starts can increase productivity .
You'll likely face some obstacles once you begin implementing the action plan. What looks great on paper may be completely different in reality. This is why action plans are flexible.
Making adjustments is an integral part of a plan’s implementation. To ensure these changes are successful, seek feedback from the project participants.
Regularly discussing the action plan with your team can provide valuable insight into making effective corrections. At the same time, it keeps the team in the loop and promotes engagement.
This simple action plan template can help you create a successful plan regardless of your goal.
Clearly define the goal or objective you want to achieve
Task 1: Description of the task
Responsible: Person/team responsible for completing the task
Deadline: Date by which they should complete the task
Task 2: Description of the task etc.
Start date: Date when you’ll initiate the action plan
End date: Date when you expect to complete the action plan
Resource allocation:
Budget: Allocated budget for the action plan
Personnel: List of team members or departments involved
Equipment/technology: Any specific equipment or technology needed
Communication plan:
Stakeholders: List of relevant stakeholders to inform
Communication channels: Preferred channels for communication
Frequency: How often you’ll share updates or progress reports
Monitoring and evaluation:
Progress tracking: Method or tool to track progress
Review dates: Scheduled dates to review progress and make adjustments
Evaluation criteria: Metrics or criteria to assess the effectiveness of the action plan
The more details you add to the plan, the easier it will be to implement. The goal is to make the action plan transparent for everyone involved.
An effective action plan is the foundation of any project. It can provide much-needed structure to your business operations and contribute to a favorable outcome.
Ensuring the right goal format, outlining the tasks, and setting up a timeline can streamline your efforts. This makes it easier to remain focused on your goals.
With an action plan, even the toughest objectives become easier to accomplish.
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An action plan is an important element in the sphere of project management. It is a management document that describes the project's aims and objectives, the tasks that need to be accomplished, and the resources required to achieve these objectives. It defines how to conduct the project and performs the tasks, which is described in the action plan. Components that should be incorporated in the process of writing action plans are the project resources, the project deliverables, and the project timeline. The project action plan is an important strategy map in the process of strategic planning and contributes to the formulation of an effective strategic action plan.
An action plan is an important component of project management since it is a component of project planning and project implementation.
It not only outlines tasks that comprise a project, what the output of those tasks should look like, and when those tasks are due, but it also outlines the resources that will be used within a project and how they will be properly utilized. These are in concordance with the project objectives and therefore an action plan is useful in strategic management. A good action plan, whether it is a project action plan or a strategic action plan, is useful in the management of tasks. It provides guidelines when it comes to goal setting, at the same time giving an idea of the whole project flow. For this reason, it is a very helpful tool in any project management venture that one may undertake.
An action plan, important in project management, is a roadmap that provides an illustration of the various activities that are required to be accomplished in order to meet particular project objectives. Indeed, it can be safely stated that it is one of the most critical aspects of project management and implementation. The plan consists of aspects like the schedule of the project, resource usage, and management of tasks which assist the organization in monitoring of responsibilities and achievements. A strategic action plan is similar to a project and may contain project deliverables, resources, and, of course, strategic planning. In other words, a project action plan gives direction on how to set and accomplish goals in the attainment of project objectives.
The existence of action plans is crucial in project management and they are considered as a critical component of project implementation. These are the action plans that provide the roadmap of the project, the tasks to be accomplished, the resources needed, and the time frame within which these tasks have to be completed. This helps in time management and utilization of resources towards completion of tasks.
Goal setting: With the help of goals, action plans help in defining the project objectives and outcome in a detailed manner. Organizations can map the project strategic plan with the project action plan to make sure that everyone working on the project is in tune with the goals of the project. Therefore, a strategic action plan is a necessity for the accomplishment of the business goals as well as for the successful completion of any work. Keep the following things in mind:
It has been established that for any action plan to work it requires three undertakings namely; strategizing, project development, and goal setting. It means that due to strategic planning, the assignment of the project resources and time can be done in a proper sequence. Task management is also a part of project management, and it helps in the planning of project work and directing the work thus facilitating the accomplishment of project tasks and deliverables. Lastly, goal setting assists in developing clear project goals that relate to the strategic action plan; it establishes the overall direction of the project action plan.
There is always a need for goals and objectives when it comes to project management, and these are vital components of strategic intents and goals. These make it possible to guide all future project planning so that proper resource allocation for the project can be done and also to provide an action plan. Consequently, key project tasks and project deliverables are contingent on these goals.
When the goals of the project are not clearly defined, the timeline of the project may not be as structured and may cause the project to be interrupted. Further, management of the tasks becomes quite difficult which may in turn lead to wastage of the resources that have been utilized in executing the project.
Therefore, it is required that one should develop a strategic action plan that targets to meet the set and measurable project objectives which in turn increases the efficiency of project management.
Role and responsibilities play a vital role in project planning and implementation in project management. Out of them, it helps in managing the tasks of the project and the proper distribution of resources for effective working of the projects. This makes it possible for the project tasks to be aligned with the project goals within the stipulated project timeline. The action plan of a project indicates who is to do what in a project. This assists in the process of goal definition because people are aware of what they are supposed to offer as a result of the project. This strategic action planning also enables the distribution of project resources fairly which also improves the project execution. Thus, the definition of roles and responsibilities is crucial to any project action plan and, thereby, reasserts the project management process to enhance the project’s timeline.
Project management entails an action plan of project tasks, resources, and time schedule for the project. Of great importance in the process of planning is the identification of goals that are in line with the general strategic plan. This involves such things as the identification of resources to be used in the execution of a project within certain time frames to meet certain project objectives. The project execution phase is all about being very careful with the way tasks are addressed. Here, resources are assigned to the tasks according to the action plan of the project. Schedules are very important at this phase; the tasks must correspond to the strategic action plan, and the project should not be off course.
This is the reason, why project resource management is considered so vital in any project management. It also has a central position in the formulation of action plans and implementation of projects. Time and again when planning for a project, resource management such as the financial aspect must be given adequate priority to accomplish project assignments. The use of the project action plan to assess every activity by looking at it in the context of the established project goals and objectives is a perfect illustration of the concept of strategic planning. Monitoring project deliverables and controlling the project schedule is in tandem with the requirements of the strategic action plan. In addition, effective scheduling leads to goal setting and finally the accomplishment of the project goals and objectives. Sufficient financial resources mean a lack of problems in the project’s functioning.
An action plan is created by going through a strategic planning process. First, define the objectives of the project on hand and then find out the activities that are required to complete the project’s objectives. Resource management is also important in project management for the availability of project resources for proper project undertaking. The other significant factor is how the tasks are done and ensuring that the project has a timeline. It provides an indication of how long the execution of each task will take so as to deliver the project outcomes on time. Taken together, this constitutes your project action plan.
Remember, a strategic action plan contains more than just planned actions it also has the function of the roadmap, of tracking progress, and of making changes.
Defining the objectives is very important in project planning and it is here that strategic planning is born. It defines the role through which the project management can lead the action plan, and identify the project resources needed. It is also used in the creation of the project schedule, which is used in the monitoring and tracking of tasks. Strategic objectives assist in defining the deliverables of a project and the tasks constituting the project action plan. It is one of the key steps of resource management within projects, defining stages of the project implementation. Lack of clearly defined project objectives means that the project action plan may miss some components and thus compromise the success of the project.
The success of the projects depends therefore on the strategic planning and the achievement of organizational goals. This involves defining a directory project implementation plan which is a clear and concise document that details how project objectives will be achieved and in the process defining the project tasks. Here are the steps:
First of all, one should define the required project resources and be able to allocate the resources effectively. These resources could be men and equipment required to perform each of the tasks or materials required in the performance of each task. Then, define what is to be produced at the end of the project or what is expected to be achieved when a particular task is done—an aspect of project implementation. Finally, create a project schedule that is important in the management of tasks and the achievement of coherence in the overall strategic action plan.
In order to avoid chaos during the execution of the projects it is important that there is a clear definition and understanding of the responsibilities of each of the stakeholders. Resource management, strategic direction, and work scheduling are some of the processes in this category. This includes defining who is accountable for the resources management, who is accountable for defining the strategic action plan, and how the project tasks are monitored. The project action plan details each team member and how he or she will contribute towards the achievement of the project objectives. This includes the determination of the time frame within which deliverables of the project should be completed, putting in place the project management strategy, and assessing the level of compliance. It is very important to determine responsibilities and tasks when planning a project. Clear lines of distinction are not only useful when it comes to attaining the project objectives but also when it comes to the management of the projects.
In project management, scheduling is crucial in the accomplishment of set project objectives as it helps in the development of project milestones. This entails scheduling and defining the project and the individual tasks in order to optimize the use of the project resources. The strategic action plan is made as a result of which the project execution process is defined. The project timeline is used as a map that shows activities to be done and the time they are supposed to be done. It shows the project activities the time frame within which each activity is expected to be accomplished and the resources to be used. This makes it possible to plan the resources effectively and also monitor the achievement of the intended project. Finally, the strategic planning process calls for a time frame and project schedule so that the project is accomplished in the expected time.
Resources are very important when it comes to managing and executing a project; thus the a need to allocate them properly. It is the process that seeks to plan how the available resources are to be utilized to the greatest benefit of the project. In the project planning phase goal setting helps in the identification of project activities and what needs to be accomplished and this is followed by the process of resource estimation.
An action plan can then be developed as a part of the overall strategic action plan, with the timeline of the project as a framework. This plan also includes task management that states the accountability of every project member and the tasks that would be completed within the project. Here are a few things to note:
In the context of project management, the action plan could be used by the team to lay out the specific tasks in the project and their relation to the general objectives of the project. This may involve elaboration of how the project will be implemented – the resources to be used and the expected dates of completion among other things in order to meet the project deliverables. In strategic planning, an action plan can help to support the identification of main goals and determine the activities that would help to achieve them. It might include planning, scheduling, and controlling tasks and the overall utilization of project resources.
Every project activity requires the formulation of a project action plan or strategic action plan to achieve the project objectives. It helps to navigate the team to the project’s successful end while keeping all the team members motivated.
The first component of our action plan is project planning, the definition of our project objectives, and the definition of activities. This will involve planning to ensure the marketing campaign that we are to embark on has the right goals and objectives for the business. Coordination is important for this stage where we ensure that our team is in harmony when it comes to handling tasks.
After that, it will be resource management that will be a key focus on how our project resources will be utilized to the greatest effect. Schedules will be set in order to achieve the above plan and conduct the project in the expected time. Last of all, we will present the details of our project in terms of what we shall deliver at the end of each phase of the project to enhance accountability, and this will produce a sound project action plan. All these steps will serve to develop a strategic action plan for the marketing campaign that will be successful.
The action plan for the product launch will begin with strategic planning, which will be centered on our project goals and the target population. We will define project tasks, their consequences that are dependent on other tasks, and a project schedule, which will allow us to manage the task completion optimally based on the project planning.
Resource acquisition is another explicit factor here; the resources that are to be used in the project will be allocated according to some of the following factors: their aptitude toward the skills that are deemed necessary for the task at hand. The action plan for our project will include project management, whereby project execution will continue apace and will glide straight through to the project deliverables as per the set timeline. The contingency plan implies the possibility of adapting and making changes to the plan for strategic action to meet the client’s needs and demands, as well as current trends in the market, without losing the quality of the result.
The project action plan is very important in the management of crises because it presents the project’s strategic plan, the tasks, and the resources needed to achieve the goals of the project. This action plan should indicate what activities are to be accomplished in the project and the project resources needed for its implementation.
Project deliverables and project timelines should be identified and elaborated if the planning of a project is done effectively. The other factor that is critical in the process is goal setting so as to have a perfect synchronization with the overall strategy of the project execution.
To solve this problem, a strategic action plan which comprises identifying the threats and risks that might lead to the crisis, developing the response, putting into practice the action plan, and evaluating the plans should be performed.
Incorporation of software tools in the development of action plans can go a long way in simplifying project management. They help in controlling tasks, planning, and organizing resources, and hence serve to enhance the efficiency of the project. They also assist in the determining of project objectives and the scheduling of the project as well as the management of resources in the project. Besides, these software tools facilitate the effective implementation of projects and organize the project outcomes according to the level of importance. In this way, they make it possible to develop a concrete project action plan and strategic action plan, as well as to improve project planning and goal setting.
Microsoft Project is a wonderful tool used in the management of projects and the planning of strategies that may be used in the implementation of the tasks. As a result of its use, this software enables teams to have improved control over the project resources and time thus improving the completion of the work.
Microsoft Project also allows teams to have a system for tracking their project tasks, setting the goals of the project, and planning for the specific course of action. All the project deliverables are captured and management makes sure that the right resources are channeled towards the achievement of each set timeline.
Key features include:
Asana also transforms work assignments and their accomplishment by combining the work planning, work doing, and work controlling processes to come up with an enormous action plan. I like this outstanding tool as its input, output, and time frames of projects are integrated in the best way for working efficiently.
As you have seen, Asana makes strategic planning very easy. This supports proper planning of the project resources, and planning of your project action plan, and also helps to categorize project resources that are essential for the achievement of an excellent result on the completion of the tasks. Say goodbye to the stress of task management – welcome Asana!
Trello is a great tool in strategic planning and tasking that is perfect for all your project objectives. From this, it provides you with a graphical interface in which you can develop an action plan, hire project resources, and determine the timeline of the project. It helps in the successful management of projects by enabling one to monitor the tasks under a project, helps in the development of goals and objectives, and gives a detailed description of what is expected in each project.
In resource management, Trello makes work easier and the planning of action in accordance with the strategies has better visualization in it. In general, Trello enhances the implementation of a project action plan by ensuring that the targeted teams stay on course, and project planning is quite easy.
Committing to project management should be done with an action plan to guide the next steps. As a critical tool, it assists you in the process of incorporating your project’s objectives into the strategic planning process. Start with the definition of project activities, the definition of project objectives as well as creation of a feasible project schedule. Task control is of great importance. Explain the resources that are needed for the project, so that resources can be properly distributed to enhance the functioning of the project. A project action plan provides a way to get from project planning to the accomplishment of the strategic action plan. Take note that a good action plan creates the environment to integrate all the components of a project leading to successful project completion. It is also important to revise from time to time so that it can always be relevant to the general goals.
It is very important to have a well-formulated action plan, especially in the management of projects. It is useful in planning for projects, defining the objectives of the projects, and even in the allocation of resources. Some of the free templates that can be useful are the ones that can help in creating the project action plan, creating the project task list, deciding the resources required, defining the deliverables, and the project calendar.
Such templates aid in strategic planning to ensure the right approach is made in the project. These are invaluable no matter whether a given document is a strategic action plan or a simple to-do list.
Thus, all these aspects being taken into consideration and incorporated, your project is oriented towards a successful outcome and there are comprehensible steps to accomplish the objectives.
Google Sheets allows for easy and flexible templates for your strategic action plan. These templates help out in project management since they provide templates for structured project planning, goal setting, and resource management. They assist you in writing down your project objectives, outlining the necessary resources needed for the project, and tabulating the anticipated project outputs in a systematic manner.
With these templates, it is easy to manage tasks as you can easily lay down a project schedule and an in-depth project action plan. The templates are of very big help in managing your projects since they facilitate the execution and the strategic planning of your project tasks while keeping a record of the tasks at hand for accountability purposes.
In the field of project management, perhaps the most important element is the detailed action plan which is to be executed. Hence, it gives a framework for the implementation of projects, which can be useful in project management and in the formulation of strategies. When a project is scheduled and all the resources are properly deployed in line with the project timeline, a well-structured project action plan enhances the completion of project tasks in relation to the overall project objectives. This is especially important in the achievement of project deliverables which epitomizes the importance of a strategic action plan in formulating goals.
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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.
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:
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:
The benefits of using an action plan template are clear:
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.
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 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.
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.
Action plan templates should contain the following features:
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:
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.
A well-written action plan consists of these components:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
If you’ve never created an action plan before, follow these manageable steps:
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.
Determine the necessary actions to reach your goal. In this example, that might include:
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.
Now, set some milestones for significant events or checkpoints along the project. Some typical milestones are:
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.
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.
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.
Before you jump in and start your project, determine how you’ll measure progress toward your goals. For example:
Determining these answers upfront means the action plan remains a living document reflecting actual progress.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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It’s likely we all have goals we’d like to achieve in our professional lives. Sometimes, they start as lofty ambitions. We have an idea of what sort of end result we want to see yet we might not be sure of how we’ll get there.
Other times, we have very concrete deliverables. Yet we might not know the path to get there. An action plan to help keep you accountable for achieving your goals is one way to help. An action plan is like a roadmap. It’ll serve as your guide to help you reach all the little steps along the way.
With increased collaboration across teams, it’s likely that multiple team members will need to help you reach your goals. In order to keep everyone on the same page, an action plan can help increase team alignment .
If you’re wondering how to make an action plan for project management , we’ll break it down in this guide. We’ll also talk about how to make sure your action plan works effectively.
A huge part of strategic planning comes to life with action plans. In order to create an effective action plan, it’s important to work backward from your desired outcome. It’s also important to be realistic about the goals you’re setting, which means making sure they’re both SMART goals and attainable.
If you’re ready to get started, follow this step-by-step guide.
First, figure out what your desired outcome is. Start to think about the goal from a big-picture perspective . Define what your goal is and from there, you’ll be better equipped to put together an action plan template.
At BetterUp, we use something called objectives and key results (OKRs) . It’s a goal-setting framework that helps keep our project planning aligned, especially when collaborating with others.
It’s also possible that there are multiple ways to approach the same objective. By outlining your objective, you can start to think through what sort of results you’d like to see as a result of reaching it. From there, it’ll help to firm up your strategic approach to tackling the specific goal.
Let’s take a look at a simple example to help frame out what this step looks like. For example, your goal is to organize a happy hour event for a prospective client. Your objective for this goal is to help engage this prospective client to become a customer.
On its face, this project might seem purely event planning related. Of course, you’ll have to consider things like timeframe, key stakeholders, invitation and guest list, and securing a venue.
But you’ll also want to consider things like communication throughout the planning process. For example, what specific steps do you need to take to put together a save-the-date email for your guest list? Can you break down the list of tasks that are bundled underneath each step?
This includes things like setting deadlines, delegating tasks , and outlining set milestones. It might end up feeling like a giant to-do list. But in many ways, it’ll give you a better handle on how to put together a management plan that encompasses everything you need to do. The more detailed, the better.
Like anything in life, reaching goals is almost never a solitary pursuit. In order to ensure your project will be successful, you‘ll need to assemble team members .
Depending on the scope of the project, you might need to do some resource planning. This includes communicating with key stakeholders and setting expectations before the project kicks off. You might also consider outlining dependencies you might need to consider along the way. After all, team alignment is critically important in achieving goals.
At BetterUp, we use a decision-making framework called ACID .
Approver
Contributor
Informed
Driver
There are plenty of decision-making frameworks out there. But at the start of any larger project, we identify the ACID framework to also ensure roles and responsibilities are clear.
It’s also a good idea to think about how specific tasks will be allocated across your team. It’ll help empower better teamwork to clearly clarify roles and duties. Include things like any time-bound deadlines, too.
For any initiative, it’s a best practice to measure its performance. Figure out what metrics you’ll use to gauge the success of the project.
Some organizations use things like KPIs to measure the success of an end goal. Others might need to establish some benchmarking metrics before really assessing the performance of a goal.
Technology was built to help make us work smarter and better. If your organization uses project management software, take advantage of it.
At BetterUp, we use many tools. One tool that we use is Asana to help keep our projects on track. It helps us with everything from task management to time management . It’s also a great way to keep communication lines open with all project members, too.
We’re all probably familiar with plans going sideways. After all, even the best-laid plans will come across obstacles. With accelerated change and fast-evolving priorities, it’s likely you’ll have to stay agile .
In order to do so, we’ve compiled six tips to make sure your action plan is effective.
Set expectations for all team members at the beginning. Communication about expectations, especially at the start of the project, is critical. If you’re the project lead, communicate expectations from the launch. If you’re a team member, don’t be afraid to ask clarifying questions.
Communicate more often than you think you need to. Track progress along the way. But more importantly, communicate with your project team members. Promote transparency and visibility, especially when it comes to challenges.
For example, if you anticipate missing a due date, communicate ahead of time. At BetterUp, we talk a lot about conscious commitments. At its heart, it’s about communication. If we’re falling behind on a project or need to renegotiate a deliverable, it comes down to effective communication .
As you work through your action steps and complete tasks, communicate. But more importantly, if you’re coming across hurdles and roadblocks, communicate. A project management tool can help promote visibility across teams, too.
Provide feedback along the way. Continuous feedback throughout the project can be the difference between reaching your goals or missing them. If you think there’s a process improvement, voice your feedback. But also ask for feedback in return.
Regularly check in with team members to see how things are going for them. By asking for feedback , you’re also establishing psychological safety and trust within the team, too.
Celebrate the small wins along the way. Sometimes, projects can be gnarly. Some projects I’ve worked on have taken months, even more than a year, to complete.
Especially if it feels like the end is far from near, celebrate the small wins. Include employee recognition as part of your strategy, too. For example, can you celebrate a team member who went above and beyond? How are you taking a moment to celebrate the progress you have made, even if you haven’t yet reached the end goal?
If needed, have a corrective action plan at the ready. Worst-case scenarios are not ideal but they do happen. At BetterUp, we’ve studied something that we call future-mindedness . It’s this idea that you can look ahead to the future with a sense of optimism and pragmatism.
With change fast-evolving, it’s likely you’ll have to course correct at one point in your project. If needed, have that corrective action plan ready. Stay agile and nimble, especially amid uncertainty and change.
Every workflow will be different depending on the company, roles, and complexity of teams. These project plans are rough plans that could be adopted for use in a project management tool, like Asana.
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Blog Post #1 | Blog | Person’s name | Link to planning document / Blog authored by person about XYZ topic | Insert date |
Social Post #1 | | Person’s name | Link to planning document / Post by person about XYZ topic | Insert date |
Newsletter | Email marketing | Person’s name | Link to planning document | Insert date |
Social Post #2 | Instagram story | Person’s name | Link to planning document / Story about XYZ theme | Insert date |
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All-company email | Company CEO | Link to document / Communications manager | Insert due date |
Company intranet page updated with FAQ | HR manager | Link to document / HR benefits manager | Insert due date |
All-company Slack message | Company CEO | Link to document / Communications manager | Insert due date |
All company newsletter | Company email alias | Link to document / Communications manager | Insert due date |
Reminder all-company email | Company HR department | Link to document / Communications manager | Insert due date |
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Madeline is a writer, communicator, and storyteller who is passionate about using words to help drive positive change. She holds a bachelor's in English Creative Writing and Communication Studies and lives in Denver, Colorado. In her spare time, she's usually somewhere outside (preferably in the mountains) — and enjoys poetry and fiction.
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Project Management
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It’s so easy to lapse into a daydream over all the things we’d like to be doing in our life. Maybe on a walk with the dog around the block, you start to fantasize about the new career you want to break into, the second home you want to purchase or the dream vacation you hope to take someday. And on the way, you see your neighbors achieving so much. They’re buying new cars, expanding their homes, and growing lush green gardens.
It can feel like salt in the wounds when you finish the loop and return to your own life that looks pretty much the same as it did a decade ago: the same income, the same job, the same beat up car. It’s so common to put forth an honest effort yet feel as though life is just going in circles.
If you’re wishing to make a big change or pursue goals, the good news is that all these dreams are not far away castles in the clouds. Achieving goals and pursuing dreams is about getting practical and establishing systems. It’s about following an action plan.
Whether our goals are career or health related, or something else entirely, a simple practical approach is key to getting there. Let’s look at the six essential steps of an action plan, and then some examples for achieving goals in all areas of our lives.
An action plan is simple and intuitive. The problem for many is that they do not make the effort to put one into place. Rather than working towards goals, they instead spiral into patterns of procrastination or stagnation. And so simply following a plan places you a cut above the rest. The following six steps cover the essentials to any action plan.
The first step in an action plan is to identify and transcribe the real goal. This may sound so basic, yet it’s so often the case that a goal is never clarified or broken down into specifics.
For example, maybe someone sets out with a goal to lose weight. When she really digs down into her motivations, however, she discovers that her actual objective is to develop an active lifestyle that includes recreational activities like biking and skiing. This is a very different goal than simply reducing the number on the scale. While weight loss may be fundamental to achieving this true goal, it certainly isn’t the only criteria.
Once the true goal is identified, the next step is to outline some parameters around it. This makes it possible to understand whether or not the goal has truly been achieved. A goal to “lose weight,” for example, is so vague that it’s impossible to determine whether or not it’s been attained. The SMART formula is effective at this stage . This is an acronym that stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. A goal that fulfills these five criteria is both meaningful and measurable.
A final component to this first step is to transcribe the goal and place it in a visible location, such as a bulletin board or screen saver. This not only crystalizes the objective, but it also instills the goal into the subconscious. Your energy centers around the goal, and you attract those circumstances and persons necessary to achieve it.
Once the goal has been sufficiently identified, the next step is to list all of the tasks needed to achieve the goal. These tasks cannot be general, but rather must be specific and measurable. Take the goal of losing weight. The task of “exercise regularly” is too vague, and can be revised to something more specific such as “walk for 30 minutes every day.”
This is also the point at which to identify obstructions alongside corresponding solutions. Mental block is a common obstruction to achieving a goal. When a goal requires doing something for the first time, fear of the unknown can cause people to stop dead in their tracks. Obstructions also can be budget or skill related. If someone doesn’t have the proper skills or sufficient funds, then the goal is impossible. And so it’s necessary to identify these obstructions and then come up with creative solutions. This could mean receiving training in a new skill, or engaging in exercises to get unstuck .
The first draft of the task list usually covers an enormous number of tasks. It’s often the case, however, that only a few of these activities are critical to achieving the goal. As an action plan seeks to complete a goal as fluidly and efficiently as possible, it eliminates busywork and accentuates those tasks that advance you toward the finish line.
One method for ferreting out critical tasks is to answer the question, “If I could just complete one task, which one would bring me closest to my goal?” Once this task is identified, ask the question again of the remaining tasks, until 20% of the tasks have been singled out. This is the essence of the 80/20 rule, or Pareto Principle , which says that 20% of the tasks drive 80% of the results.
While this planning can be time consuming, in the long run it saves time. It means that every task is meaningful and resources are utilized wisely.
In the interest of saving money, it’s tempting to try and do everything yourself. But this may not be the best use of resources. Sometimes outsourcing makes more sense. When work is delegated with precision, it means that the person with the most suitable skill set is assigned to a task. It ensures quality, and saves time and other resources in the long run.
Once the critical tasks are known, it’s possible to sketch out a realistic time frame. A deadline ensures that critical tasks are completed and that the workflow progresses steadily. It creates momentum and drive. If you don’t meet the deadline, however, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It’s simply an indication that the initial estimates were off, and that readjustments are necessary.
Most every action plan requires adjustments as things proceed closer to the goal. As new information is gathered, it may become apparent that a pivot is necessary. Through periodic reflections, it’s possible to make a proper evaluation and adjustment of either the budget, task list, or timeline.
And this summarizes the six essential steps of an action plan. This methodical approach means all energy and resources are prudently dedicated toward achieving the goal. Now let’s look at some examples of what an action plan might look like in various areas of our lives.
For this example, let’s consider a service business that aspires to rebrand itself in order to attract a higher-income clientele and so increase its overall revenue.
This first step is to define the goal with precision. Rather than state the goal as something like, “Find clients in a higher income bracket,” a SMART goal is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time bound. This could be something like, “Re-brand coaching business over the next six months with the aim to attract clientele who earn $100K+ a year. Within 18 months, these clientele will constitute a majority in the business, and the overall yearly revenue will have increased by 30% above the current revenue.”
This next step is to identify each and every specific task necessary to achieve the goal, and would include things like refresh copy, update photos and select brand colors and fonts.
These tasks need to be specific and measurable. For example, market research and marketing are central toward achieving this goal. However, “create a marketing plan” is far too vague. A better task would be, “select three social media platforms for building and propagating the brand.”
This is also the stage for identifying obstructions and exploring solutions. Perhaps the business owner is not a skilled photographer, or has budget constraints. One way to get around these constraints is to offer free coaching services to a local photographer in exchange for his or her skills.
This stage means parsing through the task list and identifying what actions are really going to draw in and keep the target clientele. It’s quite possible that things like font, logo and brand colors would fall further down on this task list. While market research; digging down to understand what the target clientele really wants and then drafting a marketing plan that attracts them; would certainly be first and foremost.
Again, few of us have a skill set that mirrors a Swiss army knife. As much as we’d like to do it all ourselves, we don’t have the time or the talent to achieve everything on the task list on our own. This step, then, means delegating work with prudence. What other resources might be utilized in order to achieve the goal within the given time and budget constraints? This might mean hiring a virtual assistant to run social media and a copywriter to re-refresh website copy.
With the critical tasks identified, it’s time to establish realistic yet firm timelines. Without a deadline, a goal like rebranding could drag on forever. Some key milestones might include completing market research, launching the new website and implementing the marketing plan.
Once the action plan is underway, plenty of adjustments will be called for. Perhaps the marketing plan isn’t connecting to the target audience. It may be necessary to return to the drawing table, looking carefully at statistics and market research, then tweak the plan going forward.
And this summarizes what a rebranding action plan might look like. Let’s move onto an action plan for a personal health goal.
For this next example, let’s consider a goal to improve overall health and fitness.
The first step is to dig down and identify the true objectives, then outline the goal with precision. In this instance, let’s say the individual aims to improve his health in order to increase his lifespan and his ability to participate in lifetime sports such as skiing and tennis. The objective, then, is to both lose weight, improve diet, and strengthen core muscles. A SMART goal might be stated as, “Over the next twelve months, lose twenty pounds, eliminate carbs from my diet while increasing fruit and fiber, and visit the gym four times a week.”
This next step is to list all of the steps necessary to achieve the goal. Many of these tasks are fairly straightforward, such as sign up for a gym membership, purchase gym clothes, outline healthy meal plans and research healthy recipes.
A key component at this stage is also to identify obstructions and solutions. Perhaps a busy work schedule makes regular exercise difficult. A solution might be to start the workday thirty minutes later a few times a week in order to fit in a morning workout. If the obstruction is diet related, then maybe joining a weekly group such as Weight Watchers is the answer to keeping on track.
This stage is about looking over the task list and answering the question, “If I could only select one of these tasks, which one would be most critical toward achieving the goal?” over and over again until the top 20% of the tasks have been identified. Perhaps the most important tasks are getting to the gym and eating healthy meals, while purchasing the perfect pair of sneakers drops to the wayside.
Naturally with a fitness goal, much of the work must be completed by the individual and cannot be delegated. However, if the goal is a team effort, say between spouses, then perhaps one individual is more suited to completing some of the tasks than another. Maybe one person prepares healthy meals, or the two juggle workloads so as to allow each other time to visit the gym.
Ideally, a long-term goal is broken down into short bursts of work. This allows for focus and also the space to pivot and reflect. For this example, the goal of losing twenty pounds over a year might be broken down into losing five pounds every three months.
The final step is to pause regularly to assess. After six weeks of implementing the action plan, perhaps the weight loss isn’t happening, or the diet plan is too difficult. Staying on track may require taking a new approach.
In this final example, let’s consider the goal of a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to break away from a corporate position and establish an independent practice.
A SMART way to state this goal is, “Transition into independent employment as a CFP over the next nine months, with the objective to regain my current income level within two years.”
Some of the tasks toward working independently as a CFP would include acquiring necessary licensing, finding a new office, and researching ways to market and solicit business. Purchasing office equipment would also be on order, as well as possibly hiring a VA or bookkeeper. One clear obstruction to reaching this goal would be regulations around soliciting business from current clients.
At this point the 80/20 rule comes into play. What tasks are the most important? Which can be deferred? Licensing and marketing would be critical, while hiring additional help might not be necessary right away.
Once the critical tasks are outlined, the next step is to delegate. Perhaps the clerical work could be outsourced to a VA.
With the critical tasks laid out, this step determines milestones. Is nine months a reasonable target date?
And the final step is to reflect periodically. Is the marketing plan attracting clients? If not, perhaps a new approach is necessary.
We have dreams and aspirations in all areas of our life. Oftentimes, a life milestone such as a 40th birthday or the birth of a child triggers us to set out to tackle life goals.
However, unless goals are approached methodically, they often can be out of reach. They can seem overwhelming, and you may not attempt them at all.
With an action plan, the impossible becomes attainable. An action plan makes goals practical and reachable. This plan not only specifies the true goal, it also charts a realistic path toward getting there.
What is one goal you’d like to reach over the next twelve months?
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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.
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.
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 ...
How to write an action plan in 5 easy steps. While action plans may differ in terms of tasks and timelines, they generally conform to the following steps: 1. Set SMART goals. Image description. Before you start writing your action plan, consider using the SMART method. Your goal should be:
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.
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.
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.
Step 1: Set a SMART goal. When it comes to setting goals, clarity is the single most important quality. With the SMART goal method, your goal is clearly defined and attainable. Set specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound goals to benefit from this tactic.
An action plan, also sometimes referred to as a plan of action, helps order project tasks in a sequential and timely manner to achieve a goal. Project managers and individuals can use action plans to achieve their work and personal project goals. Developing an action plan clarifies the goals to be achieved, the teams and service providers to ...
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.
An action plan is a detailed plan explaining the steps you should take to achieve your objective. It breaks the end goal into actionable steps to measure, follow, and track. It breaks the entire process into actionable assignments based on a timeline. The action plan helps the project manager estimate the resources, effort, and budget required ...
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.
Action Plan Templates and Examples 1. Simple Action Plan. This template offers a concise and practical approach to achieving your goals, making the process more accessible and manageable. Whether it's for personal or professional use, this template serves as an excellent starting point for your action planning needs. Get the template <<< 2.
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.
Sample action plan. As you work on your own action items, here's an action plan example to inspire you. Here, we want to launch a personal website showcasing a creative portfolio. Pay attention to how the smaller tasks align with our big goal and how each deadline builds on the last. GOAL: It's currently September. I want to launch my ...
Develop an action plan composed of action steps that address all proposed changes. The plan should be complete, clear, and current. ... Example: RTR Coalition's Action Step (a sample) One community change sought by this coalition to prevent teen pregnancy was to increase publicity about contraception and unwanted pregnancy at the local high school.
An action plan is a document that compiles the steps and tasks needed to achieve a goal or complete a project. It's often part of strategic planning or project management. Anyone — from individuals to project managers to institutions — will benefit from using an action plan. An action plan lists every task needed to reach a goal.
10 crucial elements your action plan template needs: 1. SMART goals. A good way to determine whether or not your goal is SMART is to use our SMART goals worksheet, this breaks down the questions you need to answer in order to get to the nitty gritty "good stuff". Examples of SMART goals:
This simple action plan template can help you create a successful plan regardless of your goal. Goal: Clearly define the goal or objective you want to achieve. Tasks: Task 1: Description of the task. Responsible: Person/team responsible for completing the task. Deadline: Date by which they should complete the task.
Definition of an action plan. An action plan, important in project management, is a roadmap that provides an illustration of the various activities that are required to be accomplished in order to meet particular project objectives. Indeed, it can be safely stated that it is one of the most critical aspects of project management and implementation.
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.
If you're ready to get started, follow this step-by-step guide. 1. Identify your project goals. First, figure out what your desired outcome is. Start to think about the goal from a big-picture perspective. Define what your goal is and from there, you'll be better equipped to put together an action plan template. 2.
Step 1: Name the Goal. The first step in an action plan is to identify and transcribe the real goal. This may sound so basic, yet it's so often the case that a goal is never clarified or broken down into specifics. For example, maybe someone sets out with a goal to lose weight.