Action Plans Work When You Work The Plan

There have been numerous articles written about action plans, and how important it is to create and use one if you wish to get any program or idea up and running. However, like many concepts, it is far different to simply talk about an action plan than actually doing what is necessary to get something done.

Despite my three decades of leadership and management consulting, I still find it incredible that so many organizational leaders spend so much time discussing "process" that they never accomplish anything. While optimizing the process, and doing things more effectively and efficiently are certainly important ingredients to success, process without action accomplishes nothing. Too many so-called "leaders" like to sit back "royally" and discuss the theories and the concepts. While there is value to doing that, there comes a time when ideas must be brought to a next step - implementation. Only a thorough, properly prepared, acted upon and followed-up action plan generally gets the job done.

What is an action plan? An action plan is the actionable equivalent of a road map. It describes all steps involved; who will be responsible for each aspect; when, by whom, and how each step will be done, with a time line; who will follow up and when; what is the objective; how success should be measured and when; when each step should be reviewed and by whom; and alternatives and variables (back-up plans), and when they "kick in."

Unfortunately, very few organizations develop an action plan in the degree of depth and thoroughness that is necessary. Even fewer organizational leaders follow up, and take the necessary responsible. All too often, essential steps and follow ups fall through the "waste side," and great ideas often go nowhere.

Organizations must go away from the tendency to rely on rhetoric and promises, and must commit to action plans, to accomplish their needs essential to their mission. In the last three decades, I have seen very few willing to do these necessary steps.