How To Write an Action Plan (With Template and Example)

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Updated August 9, 2024

A hand holds building blocks.

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

In this article, we discuss what an action plan is, why it’s important and how
to make an action plan that can help you reach your goals.

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What is an action plan?

An action plan is a document that lays out the tasks you need to complete in
order to accomplish your goal. It also breaks up the process into actionable
assignments based on a timeline. A good action plan will also establish a
start and end date for every step in the process. Depending on your needs
and preferences, you can use this document to set single or multiple goals.

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

SMART Goals
Image description

Before you start writing your action plan, consider using the SMART method.
Your goal should be:

Specific: For instance, instead of saying that you want to increase sales, you
could set a certain threshold you want to reach, such as increasing sales by
20%.

Measurable: For instance, if your goal is to generate more sales, try to create
weekly or monthly sales reports to track your progress.

Attainable: For instance, project tasks should be assigned to team members

who have the skills and bandwidth to complete them.

Relevant: For instance, if you want to increase advertising revenue by 25%,

setting a goal to initiate a new workplace safety program may not be
relevant.

Time-based: For instance, you should set a specific deadline for reaching
your goal, such as increasing your income by 10% within the next 12
months.

Read more: SMART Goals: Definition and Examples

2. Create a list of actions

Next, create a list of tasks you need to complete to reach your goal. This
process entails dividing your main goal into smaller objectives. By doing so,
you can make the final goal seem less overwhelming and you can move
forward in an organized manner. If necessary, you may need to break down
some complex objectives into multiple tasks.

For example, if you want to get a promotion, you may have to perform a
number of tasks to achieve your goal, such as reaching a performance
benchmark or learning a new skill. Learning a new skill is one task that will
likely need to be broken up into smaller, well-defined steps. Clearly describe
each task to create a plan that will lead you to your ultimate goal.

Related: Understanding the Project Management Processes and Phases

3. Set a timeline

Besides setting a deadline for your main goal, you should also establish a
timeframe for completing each task. It’s essential to create a timeline you
can reasonably follow so you can maintain consistent progress toward your
goal. Assess the requirements and consider the amount of time you need to
complete each item on your list.

For example, say you want to increase traffic to your website by 100% in one
year through social media and improved SEO strategies. Set a timeframe for
achieving your desired results for each of the tasks, such as increasing your
social media posts by 30% in two months and hiring an SEO specialist right
away to guide your new strategy.

Related: Time Management Skills: Definition and Examples

4. Designate resources

If you are managing a large project, you will likely be assigning tasks to a
number of people. Assess the skills and abilities of your team to determine
which of them are best qualified to perform each task. Then, write down the
resources needed to complete each task, such as money, equipment and
personnel.

For example, if you’re managing a marketing campaign, you will need to find
out which of your staff members are strongest in planning, content
production, social media marketing and SEO. You should also have the
applications and tools for content production, graphic design and marketing
analytics.

Related: What Are the Responsibilities of a Manager?

5. Monitor your progress

Finally, describe how you will ensure each task in your action plan is
completed on time, such as using internal reporting or holding regular
meetings. By doing so, you will have a better idea of the progress you are
making toward your goal. Specify the measures you will be using to monitor
the plan’s progress, which can be milestones like the number of tasks
completed, or quantitative measures, such as sales or market share.

For example, you want your customer service department to be able to

handle 1,000 inquiries a day by the end of the year. However, you need to
have at least 10 customer representatives to achieve your goal. You can
easily figure out how close you are to your final goal by assessing how many
inquiries you can handle and how many customer service representatives
you have at the half-year mark.

Related: Using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to Achieve Goals

Action plan template

You can save time by using a template to create your action plan. Here is an
effective template for a wide range of goal-setting situations:

Problem:

Goal:

Action Plan:

Actions (steps you plan to take to achieve your goals)

Persons in charge (staff members who will be handling each step)

Timeline (deadline for each step)

Resources (assets you need to allocate for each step)

Potential barriers (factors that can potentially hinder the completion of each
step)

Outcomes (desired result for each step)

Evidence of Success:

Tracking and Evaluation Process:

Action plan example

The following is an example of an action plan for an apparel retailer:

Problem: Slow profit growth as a result of insufficient customer service.

Goal: Increase profits by 50% within three years.

Our Three-Year Goal (Tip: These are SMART goals outlined)

We expect our apparel retail business to increase our profitability by 40% as

we follow this plan to improve customer service and increase staffing over
the next three years.

Current state of our business: Yearly profit of $150,000, four employees and
many customer complaints

Our business in six months: Every employee will be trained in customer

service and profit will increase by 10%

Our business in 12 months: Annual profit of $180,000, six employees, strong

customer service culture, no job vacancies
Our business in three years: In the top 20% of apparel retailers with the
largest market share in Palo Alto, California

Action Plan to Achieve Our Goal

Task 1. Training

Action: All employees will undergo customer service training.

Completion date: September 20XX

Person responsible: Sales manager

Task 2. Recruitment

Action: Identify skill sets needed from new employees and work with
recruitment agency to hire the right talent.

Completion date: November 20XX

Person responsible: Sales manager

Task 3. Improve customer service

Action: Update our website and keep it current.

Completion date: Starts in December 20XX and remains ongoing

Person responsible: IT manager

Task 4. Generate more sales

Plan A

Action: Meet with the top 20% of customers and devise strategies to
generate more sales per customer.

Completion date: January 20XX

Person responsible: Customer sales manager

Plan B

Action: Create products and services brochure.

Completion date: May 20XX

Person responsible: Marketing manager

Task 5. Increase cash flow and reduce costs

Action: Introduce a more convenient payment plan for customers.

Completion date: January 20XX

Person responsible: Finance manager

Task 6. Expand customer base

Plan A

Action: Look for regional selling events and participate in relevant ones.

Completion date: June 20XX

Person responsible: Sales manager

Plan B

Action: Review our competitors’ offers and target shortcomings in their

offers.

Completion date: October 20XX

Person responsible: Sales manager

Evidence of success: Annual profit of $225,000

Tracking and evaluation process: Assessing profitability, staff size and

number of customer complaints.

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Why is an action plan useful?

An action plan is useful for a wide range of reasons, from employees who
want to improve their work performance to project managers assigning tasks
to team members. It can help you identify a plan to reach your goal, as well
as make it easier to stay motivated and monitor your progress. It might even
help you stay on budget. If collaborating with others, you can also use an
action plan to outline specific job tasks for each team member.

Frequently asked questions

What are the parts of an action plan?

Each action, or task, in your plan can contain the following elements to
provide direction:

The specific steps you or a team can take to achieve the goal
Who’s responsible for completing the action

The timeline and expected completion date

What’s the timeline for an action plan?

The timeline for your action plan often depends on the goals you have. For
example, you may set a goal to earn a professional certification in two
months. For broader goals related to a team, department or organization,
you may have a longer timeline for an action plan, such as six months to one
year.

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

Before you create an action plan, you may develop a strategic plan. This type
of plan provides a broad overview of your strategic goals. Managers and
executives often develop a strategic plan to establish a vision for the future
of an organization. In contrast, an action plan provides detailed guidance
about how to accomplish those goals.