Create a "Bullet Proof" Action Plan

How to create a "bullet proof" Action Plan

How many times have you had to out together a plan to either complete a project, or simple carry out a series of tasks aimed at achieving a certain objective? The job of creating the action plan is relatively easy, if you know the simple steps to building a "bullet proof" plan.
The TRICK:
1) Determine EXACTLY what is the ultimate objective you need to accomplish (for example: "Reduce the failure rate of my product by 50%"),
2) Make a list of all the individual tasks that will have to be accomplished. Be as detailed as you need to be,
3) Assign a time for the completion of each task,
4) assign a person's name to each task (this will be the person that will have to execute such a task),
5) Look for dependencies, that is the relationships between the different tasks, as in many cases, one or more of the tasks will be dependent on the completion of others,
6) Set the start date and the end date,
7) Document all of the above using either a simple tool like Excel, or a more sophisticated one like "Microsoft Project",
8) Track the progress periodically, weekly is a good period.
9) Highlight the status (on target, danger to be late, late) with green, yellow and red colors on the plan, be really tough in tracking progress accurately,
10) If you are to be late, or already late, look for the root causes for the delay (focus on the causes, do not point fingers) and develop "countermeasures" to bring the plan back on target,
11) Celebrate the moment you complete the plan and thank the team members for the accomplishment,
Contact me if you need help building an action plan on Excel, or to develop a process to determine root causes or develop countermeasures.
email: hector.barresi@boundlesscoaching.com
http://www.boundlesscoaching.com/
Phone: 775-200-2864
"Have a good business!" - Hector