Drive for Change

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Constructing an action plan

This page explores key elements in an action plan, and some techniques you can use in developing one.

Your action plans should include:

• Leadership vision and support for the change
• Clear objectives (see advice below on SMART objectives)
• Specific actions
• Assigned responsibilities
• Resource requirements
• Defined deadlines
• Risk assessment and risk management
• Communication and roll-out plans
• Measures of success and critical success factors
• Evaluation

When formulating your action plans consider the following points:

• What are the top priorities and what are the most important next steps?
• What support/information/training do people need?
• How will this all be coordinated/steered?
• Who will organise what?
• How will the plan be communicated?
• What resources will be needed?
• What are the helping and hindering forces?
• How will you know when you have achieved it?

You should ensure that the objectives of the service improvement are SMART i.e.

• Specific - clearly defined
• Manageable - something which isn't too big or complex. Breaking large tasks into bite size chunks
• Achievable - something which is realistic and not overambitious
• Resources - that is within the resource capabilities of the organisation
• Time bound - has a short deadline or timescale

To take people along with you and to maintain credibility, try to create milestones within the service improvement which:

• Are a quick win
• Result in a noticeable improvement
• Are highly visible

This will enable stakeholders to track the service improvement and celebrate the progress. Allow for a degree of flexibility within the service improvement process; be adaptable, but keep a focus on the "end vision".