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Section 5. Developing an Action Plan

    Tool 1: Action Plan Form

    Action Plan for [Community or Initiative Name]

    Community Focus Area: _________________

    Community Change to be Sought: ________________________________________________________

    Collaborating Organization(s)/Group(s):_______________ Community Sector: ________________

    Action Steps

    Action Steps By Whom By When Resources and Support
    Available / Needed    		 Potential Barriers or Resistance Communication Plan for Implementation
    What needs to be done? Who will take actions? By what date will the action be done? Resources Available Resources Needed (financial, human, political, and other) What individuals and organizations might resist?
    How?    		 What individuals and organizations should be informed about / involved with these actions?

    Step 1: By____

    		            
    Step 2: By _____            
    Step 3: By _____            
    Step 4: By _____            

     

    Downloadable Action Plan Form (.docx)

     

    Tool 2: Tips for Action Planning

    What is an action plan?

    An action plan is an opportunity to turn your dreams for your community or initiative into a reality. It is also an opportunity to make your organization's vision concrete. An action plan outlines the strategies and action steps your organization will use to meet its goals and objectives.

    Why develop an action plan?

    Developing an action plan is a critical first step toward ensuring project success. An action plan may lend credibility to your organization and its initiative, increase efficiency, and provide accountability. In addition, the action plan provides a tool for mobilizing the community or group and encouraging members to share responsibility for solving the problems and improving the situation you have decided to change.

    Who develops the action plan?

    You can invite these people to help prepare an action plan:

    • Influential people from all groups affected
    • People directly involved in the problem or issue
    • Members of grassroots organizations
    • Members of ethnic and cultural groups of the community
    • Different sectors of the community: media/business community/religious groups/schools/youth organizations/social service organizations/health organizations

    How do I develop an action plan?

    First, clarify your charge. Is it to work to reduce adolescent pregnancy in your community? Or are you working to increase the rate of home ownership? Your goal will provide the backbone of your action plan.

    Your action plan should include the strategies you plan to use and the action steps you will take to achieve your goals and objectives. It should also identify a role for each sector of the community or group involved in your effort.

    For each action step or change to be accomplished, list the following, with a due date for each:

    • What actions or changes will occur-by when?
    • Who will carry it out-by when (or for how long)?
    • What resources are needed-by when?
    • Communication (who should know what)-and when?

    Tool 3: A Successful Planning Process

    Adapted from an Action Planning Guide for Community-Based Initiatives, the University of Kansas Center for Community Health and Development

    Be inclusive

    Good planning is active and inclusive. Seek out key players with diverse viewpoints on the problem or issue. Once a diverse group of important players is at the table, it is important to get them to communicate with each other. Effective leaders often call on silent members during pauses in the discussion. They convey the value of each person's voice on the issues. Occasionally, it may be necessary to discourage an overly enthusiastic member from talking too much or dominating meetings. Leaders may do so by thanking them for their comments and indicating the importance of hearing from other members of the group.

    Manage conflict

    If the group is effective in attracting diverse views, conflict among members may result. Group facilitators can recognize differences, perhaps noting the diverse experiences that give rise to divergent views. To resolve conflicts, leaders may attempt to elevate the discussion to a higher level on which there may be a basis for agreement. By reminding the group that we all share the vision of a healthy community, leaders can help members find common ground.

    Use brainstorming rules

    Group facilitators must avoid making judgments about ideas and suggestions. Brainstorming rules apply. All ideas must be heard and noted without criticism.

    Be efficient

    Planning meetings must be efficient, starting and ending on time. It is helpful to have an agenda or to build a consensus at the beginning of the meeting about what will be accomplished and in what time frame.

    Communicate products of planning

    Planning will result in a useful product. Try to structure every planning session so that it results in a product, such as a list of issues or ideas. Show off the product at the end of planning meetings, distributing copies of the products of planning to all members.

    Provide support and encouragement

    Finally, it is important to provide support and encouragement throughout the process of planning. Good planning takes time; it usually requires months to produce a detailed plan of action. Acknowledge the contributions of all participants, especially key leaders. Let the group know when it is doing a good job. Positive feedback feels good, particularly to those who are used to being criticized for their work.

     

    Tool 4: Action Planning Guides from the KU Center for Community Health and Development

    Community and Public Health Action Planning Guides

    Child and Youth Health and Development Action Planning Guides

    Community Development and Capacity Building Action Planning Guides

     

    Tool 5: Action Planning Guide

    Download Your Action Planning Guide for Promoting Full Community Participation Among People with Disabilities (pdf), a resource for independent living centers and other community-based initiatives, developed by the Research and Training Center for Indiependent Living and the Center for Community Health and Development at the University of Kansas.

    Contributor 
    Jenette Nagy
    Stephen B. Fawcett