Scott Cochran, Dean of The Mungo Center for Professional Excellnce at Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC, explains the basics of an action plan and why your business or organization will benefit from using one for your next project. View the presentation video at www.wofford.edu/center/howto.

2. DEVELOP AN
ACTION PLAN

3. AGENDA
• Why you need an action plan
• Action Plan
o Summary
o Task definition
o Creating action steps
o Prioritization
o Collaboration
o Close

4. Why you need an action plan
Alice: I was wondering if you could help
me find my way.
Cheshire Cat: Well, that depends on
where you want to go.
Alice: Oh, it really doesn't matter, as
long as...
Cheshire Cat: Then it really doesn't
matter which way you go.

5. Why you need an action plan
• Marketing – finding, developing and
profiting from opportunities
• Business – launching, sustaining, raising
capital
• Event – one time, short duration

6. Why you need an action plan
• Marketing – finding, developing and
profiting from opportunities
• Business – launching, sustaining, raising
capital
• Event – one time, short duration

7. Summary
• Define the event
• Create objectives (SMART)
• Establish dates
• Readers know what success looks like
ABC will host a dance-a-thon fundraiser to benefit XYZ on February
1, 2013. The objectives are:
o 60 dance couple participants
o $6,000 in donations
o Attract 250 people to watch the event
o Increase awareness of XYZ

8. Task definition
• Identify what needs to be done
o Reserve room for the event
o Obtain approval
o Recruit dance teams
o Hire DJ
o Etc
• Brainstorm with your team

9. Creating action steps
• What needs to happen to complete
tasks
– Task Item Example: Recruit dance
teams
o List potential teams
o Create email explaining the event
to potential teams
o Email potential teams
o Secure commitment to participate

10. Prioritization
• Based on days to deadline, task and
action step importance, and number
of steps remaining.
o High
o Medium
o Low

11. Collaboration
• Engage all stake holders and create a
communication channel
• Basecamp, whiteboard, meetings, etc

12. Close
• Celebrate the event
• Host an after-action review
o What went right/wrong
o How do we adjust to make it better next time?

13. DEVELOP AN
ACTION PLAN