An action plan is similar to a project implementation plan, and it\u2019s very helpful during the project planning<\/a> and project execution phases. That’s because an action plan documents the execution of the project plan; it’s a detailed list of the work that must be done to complete the project goals, from the start of the project to the finish.<\/p>\n Not only are you figuring out the action steps and timeline, but you\u2019ll also determine who you\u2019ll assemble for your project team to work on those tasks. This requires robust project management software like ProjectManager<\/a>.<\/p>\n The main goal of an action plan is to outline the resources and timeline<\/a> needed to reach the project\u2019s goals. It helps clarify objectives and provides a clear vision of the desired outcome. As the name suggests, it breaks down the goal into actionable steps and assigns responsibilities, so everyone on the team understands the key deadlines and how resources will be used.<\/p>\n Beyond the logistics, an action plan also provides a framework to track progress and adjust to stay on track. For example, if the goal is to launch a new product by Nov. 1 but market research isn\u2019t finished until Oct. 25th, the plan will need to be adjusted accordingly. If risks develop along the way, contingency plans<\/a> can mitigate any adverse outcomes. Finally, it provides a basis for measuring success once the goals are achieved.<\/p>\n While project managers<\/a> use action plans, other team leaders and business managers who execute a project or a process can also use them. Action plans can be used alone or with a team; in scenarios where the team is involved, the leader will assemble the plan and gather everyone\u2019s input.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s an overview of who should be involved in creation and implementation:<\/p>\n For example, the project manager will develop the action plan to oversee the project from start to finish. This ensures the project is executed on track and within scope. Project sponsors will look over the plan to confirm that it aligns with strategic goals, and stakeholders<\/a> will use it to stay informed on the overall progress and how it impacts their interests.<\/p>\n Get your free<\/p>\n \n\tUse this free Action Plan Template to manage your projects better.<\/p>\n\tGet the template<\/a>\n<\/div> \n\n <\/p>\n While action plans and project plans are two important project management tools, they\u2019re used differently. An action plan narrows the steps needed to achieve a particular goal. It\u2019s often used for small tasks or project initiatives. Components of an action plan include tasks, responsibilities, deadlines, resources and status. For example, an action plan for launching a new product includes market research, product development and a plan to launch the product into the market.<\/p>\n A project plan<\/a>, on the other hand, is an overarching framework of how to manage a project from beginning to end. It\u2018s broader in scope and covers all areas of the project. Components of the project plan include objectives, scope statement, work breakdown structure (WBS), schedule, budget, risk management plan, communication plan and quality plan.<\/p>\n An action plan answers the who, what and when of what you\u2019re proposing. Those questions are answered by the various components that make up the plan. The following are the basic building blocks of a successful plan.<\/p>\n There are many different types of action plans that are used on various kinds of strategic initiatives. Each is similar in makeup but differs in their goals. Here are a few of the varieties.<\/p>\n A business action plan<\/a> is used to set goals and tasks when you want to start a business or grow an existing business. It outlines the vision for the business and the actions you\u2019ll take to achieve that vision.<\/p>\n An action plan for a project is really no different from a general action plan. The only difference is that it\u2019s about producing a deliverable at the end of the plan, whether that be a product or service.<\/p>\n Again, a personal action plan<\/a> differs little from any other, except for the goal. For example, a personal action plan might be for an individual to exercise more. Therefore, the goal might be to walk for a half-hour a day, say, during lunchtime.<\/p>\n The benefits of an action plan are simple: you’ve now outlined what action steps and what resources are needed to reach your stated project goals. By having this collected in a single project management document, you can more successfully plan out how to execute your project plan.<\/p>\n People get overwhelmed by project management<\/a> jargon when having to plan out a project, but the word “action” everyone can understand. The fundamentals to getting an action plan together for any project follow these four project planning basic steps:<\/p>\n There\u2019s a difference between project goals and project objectives. Project goals<\/a> refer to the high-level goals that the project will achieve. Those generally align with the strategic planning and business objectives of organizations.<\/p>\n The project objectives are much more specific than the project goals. Project objectives<\/a> refer to the deliverables and milestones that need to be completed to achieve your project goals.<\/p>\n The action steps are a group of related tasks or action items that must be executed to produce project deliverables.<\/p>\n Action items<\/a> are small, individual tasks that make up the action steps that are outlined in your action plan. First, you need to identify task dependencies among them, and then assign those action items a priority level so that they\u2019re executed sequentially.<\/p>\n Now that you\u2019ve divided the work required to accomplish your action plan, you\u2019ll need to assign action items to your project team members and define their roles and responsibilities.<\/p>\n As with your project plan, your action plan has resource requirements. Having identified your action steps and action items will help you understand what resources are needed for each task and allocate them accordingly.<\/p>\n Your action plan needs to be monitored and controlled to measure its performance. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important that you set SMART goals<\/a> for your action items, action steps and your project objectives. SMART goals stand for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely.<\/p>\n As a project manager, you\u2019ll need to do your best to estimate how long it\u2019ll take to complete your action items and action steps. Once you do so, you\u2019ll have a timeline. You can use project management techniques like PERT charts<\/a> or the critical path method to better estimate the duration of your project action plan.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Writing an action plan template it\u2019s a great idea because you\u2019ll need to use that format throughout the project. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve created a free action plan template<\/a> that you can download. There are also dozens of other free project management templates<\/a> for Excel and Word that can help you with every phase of your project.<\/p>\n Use a project management tool to keep you on task. ProjectManager<\/a> has project planning features that help you monitor and report on project progress and performance. Get a high-level view of the action plan with our live dashboards. Unlike other tools, we don\u2019t make you set up the dashboard.<\/p>\n Once you’ve mapped out your action plan, you can use project planning tools<\/a> to zoom into all the details about your action steps and action items. With ProjectManager, you can calculate various metrics, such as project variance, workload and more. They\u2019re displayed in easy-to-read charts and graphs. Share them with stakeholders to give them updates on action steps whenever they want.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve been talking a lot about action plans, but the best way to learn how they work is to review an action plan example. Below, you\u2019ll see our free action plan template<\/a>. It\u2019s set up for the development of a website.<\/p>\n The first thing to do when making an action plan is to clearly define its goals and objectives. Objectives are the specific accomplishments or outcomes that are needed to achieve the larger goals, as shown in the image below.<\/p>\n Then, once these have been defined, the action plan is broken down into\u00a0four action steps: market research, website development, site launch and site maintenance. You\u2019ll see that specific tasks or action items are outlined for each action step, including a description of that task, who\u2019s assigned to execute it, its priority level and even the status of its completion.<\/p>\n There\u2019s also a timeline<\/a> to define the start dates of each of the tasks in the action steps, including the planned hours. This allows you to determine the length of each task and the duration of the entire action plan, from start to finish.<\/p>\n Finally, there\u2019s a place to add your resources. They’re broken down into departments, for example, marketing, web development, etc. Then the materials that are required for each task are listed, including their costs. This allows you to estimate the cost of the plan.<\/p>\n An action plan can take many forms, which is why we’ve created a blog with more action plan examples<\/a> to further illustrate what a successful action plan looks like in multiple scenarios.<\/p>\n See how action plans are typically laid out using project planning software<\/a>.<\/p>\n ProjectManager<\/a> can help you build your action plan and then execute it. Collect all your action steps tasks on our list view, which does more than light-weight to-do list apps because it allows you to then map your plan with Gantt charts<\/a>, project calendars and kanban boards. These robust project management tools allow you to prioritize action items, customize tags and show the percentage complete for each task. Our online project management software gives you real-time data to help you create an action plan and stick to it.<\/p>\n Once you’ve mapped out your action plan steps with ProjectManager’s project planning tools<\/a>, you can assign tasks to your team members and indicate what resources are needed for the completion of each action item. Indicate their roles and responsibilities and set priority levels for each task to ensure the work is carried out properly.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to note all the phases of the project timeline<\/a> to know what action steps and tasks will take place and when. In addition, ProjectManager’s Gantt chart allows you to identify project phases, find the critical path, and set due dates for project milestones and deliverables<\/p>\n Once you start the project, you\u2019ll need to chart the progress of the work being done. This leads us to the real-time project dashboard<\/a>, where you\u2019ll check whether your action plan is on schedule and under budget.<\/p>\n Getting a plan together is only the first part of managing a project<\/a>. Remember, it\u2019s not something to write and put away, but rather it’s a living document that should follow you throughout the project life cycle. Jennifer Bridges, PMP, offers more tips on how to write an action plan in the video below.<\/p>\nExecute Action Plans Online with ProjectManager<\/h3>\n
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![\"Action](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Manufacturing-gantt-chart-light-mode-costs-exposed-cta-e1712005286389.jpg\")
<\/a>What Is the Purpose of an Action Plan?<\/h2>\n
Who Should Make Action Plans?<\/h2>\n
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![\"Action](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Action-Plan-Template-Excel-image.png\")
\t<\/div>Action Plan Template<\/h3>\n
Action Plan vs. Project Plan<\/h2>\n
Action Plan Components<\/h2>\n
\n
Types of Action Plans<\/h2>\n
Business Action Plan<\/h3>\n
Project Action Plan<\/h3>\n
Personal Action Plan<\/h3>\n
How to Write an Action Plan for Project Management in 10 Steps<\/h2>\n
1. Define Your Project Goals<\/h3>\n
2. Define Your Project Objectives<\/h3>\n
3. Define Action Steps<\/h3>\n
4. Identify and Prioritize Action Items<\/h3>\n
5. Define Roles & Responsibilities<\/h3>\n
![\"RACI](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/RACI-Matrix-Screenshot-600x237.jpg\")
<\/a>6. Allocate Resources<\/h3>\n
7. Set SMART Goals<\/h3>\n
8. Set a Timeline for Your Action Plan<\/h3>\n
![\"Gantt](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Gantt-Chart-Screenshot-600x243.jpg\")
<\/a>9. Write an Action Plan Template<\/h3>\n
10. Use a Project Management Tool<\/h3>\n
![\"Track](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Dashboard-IT-Light-2554x1372-1.png\")
<\/a>Action Plan Example<\/h2>\n
Example Goals & Objectives<\/h3>\n
![\"Goals](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Action-plan-template-goals-and-objectives.webp\")
<\/a>\nExample Action Steps<\/h3>\n
![\"Action](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Action-plan-template-action-steps-and-action-items.webp\")
<\/a>\nExample Action Plan Timeline<\/h3>\n
![\"Action](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Action-plan-template-timeline.webp\")
<\/a>\nExample Resources<\/h3>\n
![\"Action](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Action-plan-template-resource-requirements.webp\")
<\/a>\nHow to Make An Action Plan With ProjectManager<\/h2>\n
1. Plan with Multiple Project Views<\/h3>\n
![\"ProjectManager](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Task-Card-List-Light-Mode-Bid-Proposal.png\")
<\/a>2. Assign Action Items to Your Team Members<\/h3>\n
3. Set Action Plan Steps and Deliverables<\/h3>\n
4. Track Progress With Real-Time Dashboards<\/h3>\n
Manage Your Project With an Action Plan<\/h2>\n