plan of action essay example

We use essential cookies to make Venngage work. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

Manage Cookies

Cookies and similar technologies collect certain information about how you’re using our website. Some of them are essential, and without them you wouldn’t be able to use Venngage. But others are optional, and you get to choose whether we use them or not.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are always on, as they’re essential for making Venngage work, and making it safe. Without these cookies, services you’ve asked for can’t be provided.

Show cookie providers

• Google Login

Functionality Cookies

These cookies help us provide enhanced functionality and personalisation, and remember your settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers.

Performance Cookies

These cookies help us analyze how many people are using Venngage, where they come from and how they're using it. If you opt out of these cookies, we can’t get feedback to make Venngage better for you and all our users.

• Google Analytics

Targeting Cookies

These cookies are set by our advertising partners to track your activity and show you relevant Venngage ads on other sites as you browse the internet.

• Google Tag Manager
• Infographics
• Daily Infographics
• Popular Templates
• Accessibility
• Graphic Design
• Graphs and Charts
• Data Visualization
• Human Resources
• Beginner Guides

Blog Beginner Guides What is an Action Plan & How to Write One [With Examples]

What is an Action Plan & How to Write One [With Examples]

Written by: Danesh Ramuthi Oct 26, 2023

An action plan is a meticulously structured strategy that pinpoints specific steps, tasks and resources vital to turning a goal into reality. It is extremely useful in any project management. 

Crafting an action plan is like plotting a route for a cross-country journey. It’s the strategic map that outlines every step, decision and pitstop needed to reach your ultimate destination.

With a well-thought-out action plan, you’re not just shooting in the dark; you’re making informed, purposeful strides towards your goals. Dive deep with our guide and witness real-world examples that will inspire and guide you.

Need a tool to kickstart your planning? Try out the Venngage business plan maker and explore their extensive collection of action plan templates .

Click to jump ahead: 

What is the purpose of an action plan?

When to develop an action plan, 7 components of a actions plan, 15 action plan examples.

• How to Write an action plan?

Final thoughts

An action plan serves as a strategic tool designed to outline specific steps, tasks and goals necessary to achieve a particular objective.

Its primary purpose is to provide a clear roadmap and direction for individuals, teams or organizations to follow in order to efficiently and effectively accomplish their goals. 

Action plans break down complex projects into manageable, actionable components, making it easier to track progress and stay on course.

Moreover, action plans play a crucial role in fostering accountability and coordination among team members. By assigning responsibilities and deadlines for each task or milestone, they ensure that everyone involved is aware of their roles and the overall timeline, reducing confusion and enhancing teamwork. 

Additionally, action plans help in resource allocation, budgeting and risk management by enabling stakeholders to identify potential challenges and plan for contingencies. 

Overall, the purpose of an action plan is to transform abstract goals into concrete actions, making them more achievable and measurable while ensuring that the resources and efforts are aligned with the desired outcomes.

Developing an action plan is crucial when you’re looking to achieve a specific goal or outcome. Here are instances when you should consider developing an action plan:

• Start of an organization : Ideally, an action plan should be developed within the first six months to one year of the start of an organization. This initial plan lays the groundwork for the future direction and growth of the entity.
• Project initiation : At the start of any project, an action plan helps to clearly define the tasks, responsibilities, and timelines.
• Goal setting : Whenever you or your organization sets a new goal. Action plans transform these goals from abstract ideas into concrete steps.
• Strategic planning : For long-term visions and missions, action plans break down the journey into manageable pieces, each with its timeline and responsible parties.
• Performance improvement : If there are areas where performance is lacking, whether it’s personal or organizational, an action plan can outline the steps needed to elevate performance.

An action plan is a detailed outline that breaks down the steps necessary to achieve a specific goal. Here are the typical components of an action plan.

1. Objective or Goal

The cornerstone of your action plan is the objective or goal. This should be a clear and concise statement outlining the desired outcome or result. Having a well-defined objective provides a direction and purpose to the entire plan, ensuring all tasks and actions are aligned towards achieving this singular aim.

2. Tasks or Actions

Once the objective is set, the next step is to list down the specific tasks or actions required to achieve this goal. These tasks should be broken down into detailed steps, ensuring no essential activity is overlooked. The granularity of these tasks can vary based on the complexity of the goal.

3. Set deadline

For each task or action, set a realistic and achievable deadline. This timeline ensures that the plan stays on track and that momentum is maintained throughout the execution. It also allows for monitoring progress and identifying potential delays early.

4. Resources needed to complete the project

It’s crucial to recognize and list the resources you’ll need to complete the tasks. This can encompass financial resources, human resources, equipment, technological tool, marketing planning software or any other assets. Identifying these early ensures that there are no bottlenecks during execution due to a lack of necessary resources.

5. Person responsible

Assign a person or a team for each task. This designation ensures accountability and clarity. When individuals are aware of their responsibilities, it reduces overlap, confusion and ensures that every task has someone overseeing its completion.

6. Potential barriers or challenges

Every plan will face challenges. By anticipating potential barriers or obstacles, you can be better prepared to address them. This proactive approach ensures smoother execution and less reactionary problem-solving.

7. Measurement of key performance indicators (KPIs)

Determine how you’ll measure the success of each task or the plan overall. KPIs are tangible metrics that allow you to gauge progress and determine whether you’re moving closer to your goals and objectives. They offer a quantifiable means to evaluate success.

Action plans serve as blueprints, guiding the steps and resources needed to achieve a specific goal. 

They come in various formats, tailored to different scenarios and objectives. Here, we present a range of action plan examples that cater to diverse purposes and situations. 

From business strategies to simple task lists, these examples illustrate the versatility and importance of well-structured planning.

Business action plan example

A business action plan is essentially a strategy roadmap, meticulously tailored for realizing broader business objectives. By crafting a solid action plan, businesses can channel their resources, manpower and strategies in a direction that harmonizes with their larger vision.

Key to this plan is the identification and alignment of steps that resonate with the company’s comprehensive strategy, ambitions of growth and aspirations for operational enhancements. 

While this might entail a myriad of specific steps based on unique business goals, some common elements include setting clear key performance indicators (KPIs), undertaking a thorough SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis to grasp the current business landscape and establishing a timeline to keep track of progress.

Furthermore, allocating responsibilities to team members or individuals ensures that every aspect of the strategy has a dedicated focus. Budgeting, essential to the success of the action plan, ensures that every initiative is financially viable and sustainable. 

Regular reviews and iterations based on feedback and changing market dynamics keep the action plan agile and relevant.

Related: 5 Steps to Create an Actionable Employee Development Plan [with Templates & Examples]

Company action plan example

A comprehensive company action plan serves as the strategic linchpin, ensuring a coherent and coordinated approach to realizing organizational goals. Central to this plan is the incorporation of rigorous market research and analysis, which provides insights into consumer behaviors, market trends and potential opportunities. 

Equally vital is the focus on product development and procurement, ensuring that the offerings align with market demands and stand out in terms of quality and relevance. 

Alongside, adept legal and financial management safeguards the company’s interests, ensuring compliance with regulations and prudent fiscal oversight.

Moreover, the essence of any successful company action plan lies in its sales and marketing strategies. These define how the products or services are positioned and promoted in the market, ensuring visibility and engagement with the target audience. 

However, while acquisition is crucial, retention plays an equally significant role. Hence, impeccable customer service and nurturing relationships become indispensable components, fostering loyalty and ensuring that clients remain ambassadors for the brand long after the initial transaction.

Related: 30+ Project Plan Examples to Visualize Your Strategy (2023)

Sales action plan example

A well-structured sales action plan serves as the backbone for systematic and efficient progress. Central to this plan is the identification and utilization of the most effective sales channels, whether they are direct, online or through third-party avenues. 

Clarity on the products and services on offer, combined with their unique selling propositions, facilitates tailored and resonant sales pitches. 

Budget considerations ensure that resources are judiciously allocated, balancing the act between expenditures and potential returns. This financial prudence is complemented by setting realistic sales projections, which act as both a motivational target and a yardstick for success.

Timelines, or proposed deadlines, infuse the process with a sense of urgency, ensuring that the momentum of the sales drive is maintained. 

However, the true measure of the action plan’s efficacy lies in its key performance indicators (KPIs). These metrics, be it lead conversion rates or customer retention figures, serve as tangible markers, highlighting the plan’s strengths and signaling areas that might require recalibration to increase sales.

Corrective action plan example

The essence of a corrective action plan lies in its meticulous structure, tailored to address and rectify deviations or inefficiencies identified within an organization. At its core, each action item serves as a focal point, detailing specific areas or processes that require intervention. 

Accompanying each action item is a clear description that provides a comprehensive understanding of the issue at hand. 

However, merely identifying a problem isn’t enough; delving deep into its origins through root cause analysis ensures that solutions target the fundamental issues, rather than just addressing superficial symptoms. 

This analysis then paves the way for defining the corrective action, a tangible step or series of steps designed to mitigate the identified problem and prevent its recurrence.

Besides, to ensure the plan’s effectiveness, assigning a responsible person to each action item is paramount. This individual or team is entrusted with the task’s execution, ensuring accountability and focus. 

The status of each action keeps stakeholders informed about the progress, be it in the planning phase, ongoing, or completed. 

Lastly, setting a due date for each corrective action introduces a sense of urgency and purpose, ensuring that issues are addressed in a timely manner, minimizing disruptions and maximizing operational efficiency.

Simple action plan example

A simple action plan strips away the layers of complexity, offering a concise and direct approach to achieving a goal or addressing an issue. This type of plan is characterized by its straightforward structure, devoid of extraneous details, yet powerfully effective in its clarity. 

It is specifically designed for tasks or objectives that don’t necessitate elaborate strategies or multi-layered approaches.

The core components of a simple action plan usually include a clear statement of the task or objective at hand, followed by a sequence of actions or steps to be taken. 

Each step is described succinctly, ensuring that anyone involved has a clear understanding of what is expected. Responsibilities are defined clearly, with each task allocated to an individual or a team, ensuring accountability. Timelines might be integrated, providing a clear framework for completion, even if they’re just broad milestones. 

Regular check-ins or assessments, although minimal, might be incorporated to monitor progress. 

The beauty of a simple action plan lies in its agility and adaptability, making it particularly suited for individual projects, short-term tasks or situations where a rapid response is required.

How to write an action plan?

Creating an effective action plan is a foundational step towards turning aspirations into tangible results. It provides a clear roadmap, ensuring that each step taken aligns with the overall objective.

Whether you’re aiming to enhance a business process or achieve a personal goal, a well-drafted action plan can be your guiding light. Here’s key steps on how you can craft one:

• Step 1: Establish SMART goals: Initiating with a goal that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound ensures you have a clear and focused endpoint in sight. Smart goals serves as the cornerstone for your entire strategic blueprint.
• Step 2: Determine necessary tasks: Decompose your overarching objective into smaller, actionable tasks. This modular approach not only makes the mission less daunting but also provides a sequential pathway to goal attainment.
• Step 3: Assign essential resources: Depending on the tasks at hand, designate necessary resources, be they human, financial or technological. This ensures that every activity has the backing it needs for successful execution.
• Step 4: Prioritize tasks by importance: Not all tasks hold equal weight. Determine the hierarchy of tasks based on their impact on the goal and their time sensitivity. This allows for a systematic progression.
• Step 5: Outline timelines and key markers: With tasks in hand, set clear deadlines for each. Introduce milestones, which act as periodic check-ins, ensuring you’re on track and allowing for celebrations of smaller victories.
• Step 6: Oversee and modify your strategy blueprint: As you progress, there will invariably be learnings and challenges. Regularly review your plan to make necessary adjustments, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness.
• Step 7: Consider ready-to-use templates: If starting from scratch feels overwhelming, lean on structured templates to guide your planning. There’s plenty of business plan softwares and platforms such as  Venngage that offer a plethora of action plan templates , tailored to various needs, which can significantly streamline the process.

An action plan is more than just an action steps, it’s a strategic blueprint that bridges the gap between aspirations and realizations. 

Through this comprehensive guide, I’ve walked you through the purpose, ideal timings, core components, and practical examples of action plans across various domains. 

Leveraging tools of project management , you can track progress, assign tasks and ensure every team member stays on the same page. 

It’s not just about setting goals, but about strategically planning every step, ensuring tasks completed align with the larger project goals. 

Remember, success isn’t just about having goals but about charting the right course to achieve them

And if you’re looking to supercharge your planning efforts, don’t miss out on the Venngage business plan maker. 

Dive into their extensive collection of action plan templates and make your strategic planning both efficient and effective. 

Discover popular designs

Infographic maker

Brochure maker

White paper online

Newsletter creator

Flyer maker

Timeline maker

Letterhead maker

Mind map maker

Ebook maker

Back to Writing Counseling Statements

Plan of Action Block

SPC Sullivan understands the seriousness of failing to report and will ensure it does not happen again. I will ensure he always has the latest duty schedule.

Soldier was counseled on the consequences of his performance, including possible separation for continued substandard performance IAW AR 635-200 Para 1-18 (a). Soldier provided the following reasons for poor performance during this APFT: We will meet and follow up on this problem in two weeks to measure progress.

You will report for extra duty this Saturday and report to SFC Smith at 0800 and work until he releases you. Report to the First Sergeant's office on 27 Dec at 1500. At that time, you and I and the First Sergeant will discuss the possible consequences of your actions.

This counseling statement will be filed in your records. You will attend next Monday's Team Chief meeting at 0800 and take notes and distribute them to the Team Chiefs after the meeting. Report to work at 0800 Saturday morning and complete the project you were assigned. Failure to report or failure to complete the project will result in immediate and more severe administrative action.

PFC XXXXXX has been reminded of his responsibility to inform his chain of command of his whereabouts at all times. More counseling may follow if additional information concerning this incident surfaces. PFC XXXXXX will make every effort to be at his appointed place of duty and is aware that failing to do so could result in separation from the Army IAW AR 635-200, Active Duty Enlisted Administrative Separations.

Due to your inability to be at the appointed place of duty at the appointed time, the following corrective action will be taken: Starting now, 13 May 13, until I say otherwise, you will report for daily morning formation at 0545 in the uniform of the day. During this period, your actions will be evaluated and failure to show, as directed, to future formations, will result in UCMJ action in accordance with Article 86. In addition, I will make every effort to ensure you are barred from reenlistment.

You will participate in the company's special fitness program (conducted concurrently with unit physical fitness training). Your Squad Leader, along with the unit Master Fitness Trainer (MFT) will design a program tailored to address your specific fitness needs. The program regimen will help you improve your areas of weakness and overall fitness level. It is recommended that you routinely spend some of your off-duty time to work on your physical conditioning. Achieving Army minimum standards is not difficult, the most important element to being successful is maintaining a positive "can-do" attitude and having the desire to succeed. This counseling is corrective not punitive in nature and will assist both you and the command to ensure you are capable of passing the APFT.

To contribute examples or comments, use this form.

Contact     © copyright armywriter.com     Disclaimer

How to Write an Action Plan: Step-by-Step (Examples)

By Status.net Editorial Team on November 9, 2023 — 9 minutes to read

An action plan is a detailed roadmap of the necessary steps you need to take to achieve a specific goal or objective. It’s like a GPS that guides you from your starting point to your desired destination. Creating an action plan helps you break down a large goal into smaller, more manageable tasks, which makes the goal feel less overwhelming.

To start, you should first identify your end goal and be as specific as possible. For example, if you want to increase sales for your business, set a target like “Increase sales by 20% within the next six months.” This will give you a clear vision of what you want to achieve and make it easier to measure your progress.

Next, list the necessary actions or tasks required to reach your goal. These can be further divided into smaller tasks that are easy to understand and implement. For example, to increase sales, you could:

• Improve your online presence by revamping your website, optimizing it for search engines, and posting regularly on social media platforms.
• Reach out to potential clients through email campaigns and cold calls.
• Offer promotions or discounts to incentivize new customers to try your product or service.

Now, it’s time to set a timeline for each task. Deadlines will enable you to monitor your progress and stay on track. Assign realistic due dates for each task, and if needed, break them down into smaller milestones.

To ensure your action plan’s success, make sure to assign responsibility for each task. If you’re working with a team, delegate tasks according to each team member’s strengths, skills, and workload. This will help ensure everyone knows what their responsibilities are, and they are held accountable.

Lastly, always monitor your progress and evaluate your action plan’s effectiveness. Regularly review the tasks you’ve accomplished, and make note of the tasks that were challenging or required more time than anticipated. This self-assessment will help you improve your action plan and make necessary adjustments as you work towards your goal.

Example Action Plan

Goal : Increase sales by 20% within the next 6 months (By January 1st, 2025)

Actions : 1. Improve online presence a) Revamp website design – Due October 15th b) Optimize website for SEO – Due November 1st c) Post regularly on social media (1x/week min) – Ongoing

2. Reach out to potential clients a) Create email marketing campaign – Due September 15th b) Start cold calling campaign (10 calls/day) – Start October 1st

3. Offer promotions a) Design promotion flyers – Due September 1st b) Run month-long 20% off sale – October 1-31st

Monitoring : – Check website analytics weekly – Track new clients monthly – Evaluate sales figures monthly – Adjust plan as needed at monthly meetings

Responsibilities : – John to revamp website – Susan to handle social media – Michael to create promotions – Jennifer to manage outreach campaigns

Steps to Creating a Powerhouse Action Plan

First, identify your goal . Be specific about what you want to achieve and set a time frame for accomplishing it. This will help keep your efforts focused and prevent you from getting overwhelmed by smaller tasks. For example, instead of “increase sales”, choose “increase sales by 20% in the next six months”.

Next, break your goal down into smaller, manageable tasks . Create a list of activities or steps that must be completed in order to reach your goal. If your goal is to Increase sales by 20%, some tasks might be:

• Research your target market
• Develop a marketing strategy
• Improve product offerings
• Train your sales team

Assign a deadline and responsible party for each task on your list. This will help ensure that all tasks are completed on time and that everyone knows their role in achieving the goal. Make sure to set realistic timelines for each task, taking into consideration the resources and time available.

Here’s an example:

• Research your target market – due in one week – assigned to Jane (marketing specialist)
• Develop a marketing strategy – due in two weeks – assigned to marketing team

Monitor your progress regularly. Keep track of your progress by using tools such as calendars, project management software, or a simple spreadsheet. Regularly assess whether you’re on track to meet your goal and adjust your action plan if needed. For example, if a task is taking longer than expected, you may need to reassign resources or revise the deadline.

Celebrate your milestones and learn from setbacks . Along the way, take the time to acknowledge and celebrate your successes, as well as learn from any setbacks or challenges. This will help maintain motivation and encourage continuous improvement.

Finally, communicate your action plan to all stakeholders involved, such as employees, investors, or clients. Clear communication ensures everyone understands the goal, their responsibilities, and the expectations for the project.

Defining Clear and Smart Goals

Specific goals.

When creating your action plan, start by setting specific goals. These are clear, well-defined goals that leave no room for ambiguity. You should know exactly what needs to be accomplished and how you plan to achieve it. For example, instead of aiming for “increasing sales,” set a goal like “increase sales by 15% over the next six months.”

Measurable Goals

Your goals should be measurable so that you can track your progress and know when you’ve achieved them. This involves identifying quantifiable indicators that will help you determine your progress. For instance, if your goal is to increase sales, a measurable component can be the number of units sold or the amount of revenue generated within a specific timeframe.

Achievable Goals

When setting goals, make sure they are achievable and realistic based on your current resources and constraints. Consider your team’s capabilities, time, and budget. Unattainable goals may negatively impact your motivation and morale. For example, if you have a small team with limited resources, setting a goal to double your company’s size within a month might be unrealistic. Instead, aim for a modest yet challenging growth rate that can be achieved with your available resources.

Relevant Goals

Your action plan goals should also be relevant to your organization’s mission and vision. These are goals that align with your overall strategic plan and contribute to its long-term success. Relevant goals ensure that your efforts are focused on high-impact areas and avoid unnecessary distractions. For example, if your business is focused on sustainability, a relevant goal might be to reduce your company’s carbon footprint by 20% in the next year.

Time-bound Goals

Finally, ensure that your goals are time-bound, meaning they have a deadline for completion. Deadlines keep your team accountable and help maintain a sense of urgency, which is crucial for staying on track and achieving your objectives. A clear timeframe also allows you to measure your progress and adjust your plans as needed. For instance, you could set a goal to expand your customer base by 10% within the next quarter.

Assigning Roles and Responsibilities

When creating an action plan, it’s important to assign roles and responsibilities to your team members. This helps ensure tasks are completed efficiently and everyone is clear about their duties. Here’s how to do it effectively:

• First, identify the necessary tasks to achieve your goal. Be specific about what needs to be done and break it down into smaller steps if needed. For example, if your action plan involves promoting a new product, tasks could include designing promotional materials, creating social media posts, and reaching out to potential partners.
• Next, evaluate the skills and expertise of your team members. Consider their strengths, weaknesses, and past experiences with similar projects. This will help you match team members with tasks that best suit their abilities. For instance, someone with graphic design expertise should be responsible for creating promotional materials.
• Once you’ve determined which team members are best suited for each task, clearly communicate their roles and responsibilities. This can be done through a project management tool, an email, or a team meeting. Make sure everyone is aware of their duties and the deadlines for each task.
• Keep track of everyone’s progress, and hold regular check-ins to see how each team member is doing with their assigned tasks.
• Be open to adjusting your action plan and roles as necessary. Sometimes, unforeseen challenges can arise and require you to modify your plan.

Creating a Time Frame

When working on your action plan, it’s important to establish a realistic time frame for achieving your goals. This helps you stay on track and prioritize tasks effectively. We will walk you through the process of creating a time frame for your action plan.

• First, break down your primary goal into smaller, manageable tasks. Think of these tasks as stepping stones that will lead you toward your overall objective. For example, if your goal is to start a new business, your tasks might include researching your target market, establishing a budget, and developing a marketing strategy.
• Next, assign a deadline to each task. Deadlines should be specific and set in stone but make sure to be flexible enough to adjust as necessary. Use a calendar or planner to visualize your timeline, marking important dates and milestones. For example, you could set a four-month deadline for completing market research and a six-month deadline for securing initial funding.
• To keep yourself accountable, set reminders or notifications for important deadlines. This can be done using digital tools like smartphone apps or traditional methods, such as sticky notes on your workspace. Regularly reviewing your progress and adjusting your time frame when needed will help you stay on track.
• Lastly, consider any external factors that might impact your time frame. Are there seasonal events, holidays, or industry-specific deadlines that could affect your ability to complete tasks? Factor in these considerations as you build your timeline.

Resource Allocation

When creating an action plan, resource allocation plays a major role. You’ll need to determine the resources required for each task and how they’ll be distributed among team members. This usually includes time, budget, and human resources.

• Start by estimating the time each task will take. Break tasks down into smaller chunks and allocate a specific deadline to each. This will help you prioritize tasks and balance workloads for your team members. For example, if designing a marketing campaign takes four weeks, divide it into weekly tasks like conducting market research, creating promotional materials, and setting up advertisements.
• Next, determine the budget needed to complete your project. Identify any expenses such as salaries, equipment, software, and project-related costs like travel. Create a budget for each task to avoid overspending, and allocate funds accordingly. Using our marketing campaign example, allocate separate budgets for market research tools, graphic design tools, and advertising platforms.
• Lastly, allocate human resources to tasks based on their skills and expertise. Delegate responsibilities to your team members, ensuring that everyone has a clear understanding of their role in the project. If needed, identify additional hires or outside consultants to fill gaps in your team’s expertise. For instance, if your team lacks graphic design experience, consider hiring a graphic designer or outsourcing the work to a design agency.
• 6 Examples: How to Write a Perfect Proposal Letter (Step-by-Step)
• How to Write a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP)
• 2 Templates and Examples: Individual Development Plan
• How to Write a Perfect Project Plan? [The Easy Guide]
• How to Write Inspiring Core Values? 5 Steps with Examples
• 2 Detailed Examples: How To Write a Professional Email

Explore Jobs

• Jobs Near Me
• Remote Jobs
• Full Time Jobs
• Part Time Jobs
• Entry Level Jobs
• Work From Home Jobs

Find Specific Jobs

• $15 Per Hour Jobs
• $20 Per Hour Jobs
• Hiring Immediately Jobs
• High School Jobs
• H1b Visa Jobs

Explore Careers

• Business And Financial
• Architecture And Engineering
• Computer And Mathematical

Explore Professions

• What They Do
• Certifications
• Demographics

Best Companies

• Health Care
• Fortune 500

Explore Companies

• CEO And Executies
• Resume Builder
• Career Advice
• Explore Majors
• Questions And Answers
• Interview Questions

How To Write A Plan Of Action (With Examples)

• What Is Figurative Language?
• What Are Rhetorical Strategies?
• What Is a Subject Matter Expert and What Do They Do?
• What Is A Differentiation Strategy
• What Is Job Order Costing
• What Is Situational Analysis
• Plan Of Action
• Report Format
• Law Of Diminishing Marginal Returns
• Administrative Duties
• Giving A Presentation
• Organizational Behavior Management
• Deductive Reasoning
• Reflective Listening

Find a Job You Really Want In

Summary. An action plan is a plan that allows you to achieve your goals. To write an action plan you should first specify a SMART goal and then strategize a list of tasks leading up to that goal. You should also schedule a timeline to reach your goal and establish milestones through out that timeline. Finally you should track your progress. It’s an inherent human quality to dream of success. Dreaming is the easy part, but attaining it is much more complicated. It requires vision, goal-setting, and most importantly, a detailed action plan to meet your objectives. Key Takeaways: An action plan breaks a complex long term goal down into achievable pieces. It also sets a timeline, which allows you to track your progress. Action plans can be helpful for managing large projects with multiple goals, or as a way to track personal progress. There are several different planning techniques that are effective, such as the SMART system and SCHEMES. In This Article    Skip to section What Is an Action Plan? How to Write an Action Plan Template for Action Plan Example of an Action Plan Why an Action Plan Is Useful Who Needs an Action Plan? Action Plan SCHEMES Action Plan FAQ Final Thoughts References Sign Up For More Advice and Jobs Show More What Is an Action Plan?

Setting a specific goal illuminates where you want to end up. An action plan lays out a way to achieve that outcome.

A detailed plan for making goals reality provides necessary guidelines for what to do next, milestones to reach, and defines ultimate success . This makes it easier to know how far you’ve come and what’s left to do before you reach a goal.

Formulating an action plan in the early stages of strategic planning is essential. It establishes the steps to take that lead towards completion. This is a crucial practice for any type of project, whether it be professional or personal , because it provides details for how to proceed.

How to Write an Action Plan

Specify a SMART goal . The first step to writing an action plan is to decide on a concrete goal that adheres to SMART standards. This is a framework that helps align fanciful ideas of a goal to become a realistic objective.

The letters of the SMART framework stand for:

Specific. A good goal needs to be detailed and clear. While a broad goal, such as making more money, seems like the way to go, there’s too much room for straying and not enough direction.

Measurable. The goal that you choose to pursue should be quantifiable. Along the way, this allows you to track your progress and growth . For instance, if your goal is to sell more tickets to a concert, state how many you want to sell exactly.

Attainable. Never set a goal that’s too outlandish to accomplish either in your timeframe or at your skill level. While being ambitious is good quality, it needs to be met in equal part with realism. Evaluate your circumstance and spend time on an attainable goal .

Relevant. SMART goals should be relevant to the overall outcome you’re trying to achieve. In a professional setting, make sure your objectives are relevant to your long-term career plans – vice versa for personal goals.

Timeframe . The final aspect of a SMART goal is specifying a timeframe that you’ll complete the end goal. Stating a timeline keeps your mind focused on finishing goals by the deadline.

Strategize a list of tasks leading up to the goal. Once a SMART goal has been established, start strategizing the actions you’ll take to work towards it. The best way to accomplish this is by creating a list of these tasks.

Schedule a timeline. Having a time-frame in mind is a qualifier for whether a goal is up to SMART standards, and it’s also a requirement for writing an action plan. A timeline should be a series of deadlines, in addition to the final date that you aim to achieve the end goal.

Establish milestones. Define what the milestones of the project are during the writing phase of an action plan. Incorporating milestones into the timeline of an action plan supports motivation and gives you a good idea of where you stand.

Track progress and assess success. After writing a detailed action plan, the final aspect is following through with the map to success you’ve outlined. The effort you put into planning is validated by completing the work you’ve strategized. Begin working on your scheduled plan immediately — or be sure to set a start date.

Track your progress throughout the journey of working towards your goal. This can be done by scheduling a team meeting at work or just doing some self-reflection by yourself for personal goals. If anything needs to be tweaked or isn’t going according to plan, progress tracking is when you’ll be made aware of it.

Template for Action Plan

The Issue At Hand Is: The End SMART Goal Is:

Example of an Action Plan

The Issue At Hand Is: Lacking servers at a restaurant. The End Goal Is: To increase restaurant staff by 3 experienced employees in the next month. Tasks Leading Up To End Goal Who is Handling this Task? Task Timeline Needed Resources For Completion Progress Updates The Result Post a detailed open job posting online to at least three career websites. Include details regarding the restaurant background, position expectations, and requirements for the role. The Restaurant Owner December 28, 2021 A computer Internet connection Information about the position and restaurant A write-up of the job description was completed (12/21/2021) Five free career websites were found to post the job opening (12/23/2021) The position opening was posted on the career websites (12/28/2021) The job opening description was approved and the posting went live on 12/28/2021 Run the applications received from the open job posting through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Go through the resumes of the remaining candidate pool. Reach out to candidates with the most potential to come in for an interview. The Restaurant Manager January 4, 2022 A computer Access to Applicant Tracking System Software (ATS) 25 applications for the job were received (12/31/2020) The applications were run through the applicant tracking system (1/2/2022) 14 applications passed the ATS (1/2/2022) 6 applicants showed potential and were called to come in for an interview (1/4/2022) After receiving many applications, six promising applicants were chosen to come in for an interview. Schedule an interview with the potential hires. Ask a series of approved and relevant questions to assess the candidate’s abilities to succeed in the role. Take notes about particularly remarkable interviewees. The Restaurant Manager January 15, 2022 A place to conduct the interview Pen and paper Relevant interview questions to ask The six candidates with potential were scheduled at various times to come in for an interview (1/6/2022) The first three interviews were all completed. Two candidates seemed to be great candidates for hire (1/11/2022) The last three interviews were completed. One of the applicants never showed up and the other didn’t have enough experience. The final applicant was perfect for the job (1/15/2022) Six candidates were interviewed for the server positions at the restaurant, and three seemed to be a good fit. Gather a list of the strongest interviewees and offer them the job. Discuss the paperwork they will need to begin, their salary requirements, and when they can start. Hire at least three new restaurant staff members. The Restaurant Manager January 22, 2022 Contact information for applicants Necessary hiring paperwork The information about the three chosen candidates was gathered (1/17/2022) The candidates were all called to be offered the position and give more detailed information. All three of the candidates accepted the position. (1/21/2022) Each newly hired employee was scheduled to begin their first training shift on February 25th (1/22/2022) All three applicants who were offered the position accepted. They are scheduled to begin training on February 25th, 2021.

Why an Action Plan Is Useful

Identifies how far you have to go. A clear picture of how far you have left to go before you reach your goal is a strong case for writing an action plan. It shows you have much work there’s still left to do and what exactly it entails. Having this timeline is especially helpful for accomplishing long-term goals .

Provides direction. Completing a goal is much tougher when the project lacks an objective . An action plan points you in the right direction and keeps you on track.

Strengthens motivation . One of the biggest reasons for falling short of meeting a goal is failing motivation. It takes a lot of personal drive to continue towards a goal that years in the making. A written action plan provides a cushion of motivation when the hurdles seem insurmountable. It’s the reminder that there’s an end in sight and of what exactly you’re trying to achieve.

Establishes milestones. An action plan spells out the steps you need to complete to reach a goal. This can also aid with motivation, as breaking it down into more readily achievable pieces makes you seem like you’re making progress. It also shows you how much closer you are to your ultimate goal.

Who Needs an Action Plan?

Action plans can be useful for anyone’s personal or professional life in a wide variety of situations. While the high-level executive plan of action might look a lot different than your entry-level worker’s, the ultimate goal of both is the same: ensuring that daily tasks are building toward a specific goal.

The only real difference between action plans at different levels of a company is scope. A manager needs to plan achievable goals for their employees by setting up a system for measuring results, giving and receiving feedback, budgeting in a smart way, and generally promoting an atmosphere where work can be done efficiently and effectively.

An entry-level employee, on the other hand, might develop a plan of action after meeting with a supervisor . By making sure to write down exactly what the larger business goals are while they’re fresh in your mind, you’ll have a much easier time setting and achieving short term goals that align wtih broader corporate interests.

Action Plan SCHEMES

A good way to check that your plan of action is comprehensive and you’ve got all your bases covered is to run it by SCHEMES, which is an acronym that stands for:

Not every action plan has to consider all of these elements. Some small-scale projects will only require you to consider helpers and expertise, for example.

SCHEMES can help make sure that you haven’t missed anything important while planning your big goal. After all, it would be pretty disappointing to have your vision fall of the rails because you run out of cash or your lack of expert knowledge is creating a bottleneck in production.

Action Plan FAQ

What are the parts of an action plan?

The parts of an action plan should include the “who,” “what,” and “when.” Your who should be who will be involved in the plan. You should include responsibilities of the individuals involved in this plan. The “what” should be the steps in the plan and what you want to accomplish. The “when” will be a timeline of when you want to achieve this goal.

Do you need an action plan to be successful?

No, you do not need an action plan to be successful, but they can be an effective way to help you be successful. Action plans are useful when you want to identify how far you have to go and give you a clear picture of your goal. They can also provide you direction to the necessary steps in completing the goal.

What is a written plan of action?

A written plan of action is a plan that indicated what tasks need to get done, the timeline that it needs to get done, and who will be responsible for the tasks. A written plan of action will lay out a plan to achieve your goals that you have set either for yourself or for your team

Final Thoughts

An action plan is your ticket to a much less stressful project. By setting achievable goals early on, you not only help your time management but also your mindset. It’s much better to start a project off with a plan for achieving it than some vague resolutions or a mission statement without an equally compelling vision for the process.

Writing an action plan doesn’t need to be a daunting task. For how much time it will save you in the long run, it’s worth your while to develop a plan of action today.

Feinberg School of Medicine – Developing a Research Action Plan for Your Organization

Augsburg University – Creating an Action Plan

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating / 5. Vote count:

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Sky Ariella is a professional freelance writer, originally from New York. She has been featured on websites and online magazines covering topics in career, travel, and lifestyle. She received her BA in psychology from Hunter College.

Related posts

How To List Computer Skills On A Resume [Full List + Examples]

Top 8 Skills Employers Look For In Job Candidates (With Examples)

10 Important Life Skills (With Examples)

Master’s In Finance Jobs [10 Best-Paying + 10 Entry-Level Jobs You Can Do With A Finance Degree]

• Career Advice >

Action Plan Essays

Self-care techniques action plan, a swot analysis and action plan for quality improvement in healthcare, navigating leadership development: a comprehensive gibbs reflective essay, action plan for at-risk diabetes patients population for non-compliance, get 2 test scores, action plan for the emergency department situation, global leadership analysis and action plan, leadership development plan, popular essay topics.

• American Dream
• Artificial Intelligence
• Black Lives Matter
• Bullying Essay
• Career Goals Essay
• Causes of the Civil War
• Child Abusing
• Civil Rights Movement
• Community Service
• Cultural Identity
• Cyber Bullying
• Death Penalty
• Depression Essay
• Domestic Violence
• Freedom of Speech
• Global Warming
• Gun Control
• Human Trafficking
• I Believe Essay
• Immigration
• Importance of Education
• Israel and Palestine Conflict
• Leadership Essay
• Legalizing Marijuanas
• Mental Health
• National Honor Society
• Police Brutality
• Pollution Essay
• Racism Essay
• Romeo and Juliet
• Same Sex Marriages
• Social Media
• The Great Gatsby
• The Yellow Wallpaper
• Time Management
• To Kill a Mockingbird
• Violent Video Games
• What Makes You Unique
• Why I Want to Be a Nurse
• Send us an e-mail

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• How to write an essay outline | Guidelines & examples

How to Write an Essay Outline | Guidelines & Examples

Published on August 14, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An essay outline is a way of planning the structure of your essay before you start writing. It involves writing quick summary sentences or phrases for every point you will cover in each paragraph , giving you a picture of how your argument will unfold.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

Organizing your material, presentation of the outline, examples of essay outlines, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about essay outlines.

At the stage where you’re writing an essay outline, your ideas are probably still not fully formed. You should know your topic  and have already done some preliminary research to find relevant sources , but now you need to shape your ideas into a structured argument.

Creating categories

Look over any information, quotes and ideas you’ve noted down from your research and consider the central point you want to make in the essay—this will be the basis of your thesis statement . Once you have an idea of your overall argument, you can begin to organize your material in a way that serves that argument.

Try to arrange your material into categories related to different aspects of your argument. If you’re writing about a literary text, you might group your ideas into themes; in a history essay, it might be several key trends or turning points from the period you’re discussing.

Three main themes or subjects is a common structure for essays. Depending on the length of the essay, you could split the themes into three body paragraphs, or three longer sections with several paragraphs covering each theme.

As you create the outline, look critically at your categories and points: Are any of them irrelevant or redundant? Make sure every topic you cover is clearly related to your thesis statement.

Order of information

When you have your material organized into several categories, consider what order they should appear in.

Your essay will always begin and end with an introduction and conclusion , but the organization of the body is up to you.

Consider these questions to order your material:

• Is there an obvious starting point for your argument?
• Is there one subject that provides an easy transition into another?
• Do some points need to be set up by discussing other points first?

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Discover proofreading & editing

Within each paragraph, you’ll discuss a single idea related to your overall topic or argument, using several points of evidence or analysis to do so.

In your outline, you present these points as a few short numbered sentences or phrases.They can be split into sub-points when more detail is needed.

The template below shows how you might structure an outline for a five-paragraph essay.

• Thesis statement
• First piece of evidence
• Second piece of evidence
• Summary/synthesis
• Importance of topic
• Strong closing statement

You can choose whether to write your outline in full sentences or short phrases. Be consistent in your choice; don’t randomly write some points as full sentences and others as short phrases.

Examples of outlines for different types of essays are presented below: an argumentative, expository, and literary analysis essay.

Argumentative essay outline

This outline is for a short argumentative essay evaluating the internet’s impact on education. It uses short phrases to summarize each point.

Its body is split into three paragraphs, each presenting arguments about a different aspect of the internet’s effects on education.

• Importance of the internet
• Concerns about internet use
• Thesis statement: Internet use a net positive
• Data exploring this effect
• Analysis indicating it is overstated
• Students’ reading levels over time
• Why this data is questionable
• Video media
• Interactive media
• Speed and simplicity of online research
• Questions about reliability (transitioning into next topic)
• Evidence indicating its ubiquity
• Claims that it discourages engagement with academic writing
• Evidence that Wikipedia warns students not to cite it
• Argument that it introduces students to citation
• Summary of key points
• Value of digital education for students
• Need for optimism to embrace advantages of the internet

Expository essay outline

This is the outline for an expository essay describing how the invention of the printing press affected life and politics in Europe.

The paragraphs are still summarized in short phrases here, but individual points are described with full sentences.

• Claim that the printing press marks the end of the Middle Ages.
• Provide background on the low levels of literacy before the printing press.
• Present the thesis statement: The invention of the printing press increased circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.
• Discuss the very high levels of illiteracy in medieval Europe.
• Describe how literacy and thus knowledge and education were mainly the domain of religious and political elites.
• Indicate how this discouraged political and religious change.
• Describe the invention of the printing press in 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg.
• Show the implications of the new technology for book production.
• Describe the rapid spread of the technology and the printing of the Gutenberg Bible.
• Link to the Reformation.
• Discuss the trend for translating the Bible into vernacular languages during the years following the printing press’s invention.
• Describe Luther’s own translation of the Bible during the Reformation.
• Sketch out the large-scale effects the Reformation would have on religion and politics.
• Summarize the history described.
• Stress the significance of the printing press to the events of this period.

Literary analysis essay outline

The literary analysis essay outlined below discusses the role of theater in Jane Austen’s novel Mansfield Park .

The body of the essay is divided into three different themes, each of which is explored through examples from the book.

• Describe the theatricality of Austen’s works
• Outline the role theater plays in Mansfield Park
• Introduce the research question : How does Austen use theater to express the characters’ morality in Mansfield Park ?
• Discuss Austen’s depiction of the performance at the end of the first volume
• Discuss how Sir Bertram reacts to the acting scheme
• Introduce Austen’s use of stage direction–like details during dialogue
• Explore how these are deployed to show the characters’ self-absorption
• Discuss Austen’s description of Maria and Julia’s relationship as polite but affectionless
• Compare Mrs. Norris’s self-conceit as charitable despite her idleness
• Summarize the three themes: The acting scheme, stage directions, and the performance of morals
• Answer the research question
• Indicate areas for further study

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy

College essays

• Choosing Essay Topic
• Write a College Essay
• Write a Diversity Essay
• College Essay Format & Structure
• Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay

 (AI) Tools

• Grammar Checker
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Text Summarizer
• AI Detector
• Plagiarism Checker
• Citation Generator

Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

• Academic style
• Vague sentences
• Style consistency

See an example

You will sometimes be asked to hand in an essay outline before you start writing your essay . Your supervisor wants to see that you have a clear idea of your structure so that writing will go smoothly.

Even when you do not have to hand it in, writing an essay outline is an important part of the writing process . It’s a good idea to write one (as informally as you like) to clarify your structure for yourself whenever you are working on an essay.

If you have to hand in your essay outline , you may be given specific guidelines stating whether you have to use full sentences. If you’re not sure, ask your supervisor.

When writing an essay outline for yourself, the choice is yours. Some students find it helpful to write out their ideas in full sentences, while others prefer to summarize them in short phrases.

You should try to follow your outline as you write your essay . However, if your ideas change or it becomes clear that your structure could be better, it’s okay to depart from your essay outline . Just make sure you know why you’re doing so.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2023, July 23). How to Write an Essay Outline | Guidelines & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved August 12, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/essay-outline/

Is this article helpful?

Jack Caulfield

Other students also liked, how to create a structured research paper outline | example, a step-by-step guide to the writing process, how to write an argumentative essay | examples & tips, "i thought ai proofreading was useless but..".

I've been using Scribbr for years now and I know it's a service that won't disappoint. It does a good job spotting mistakes”

• Hypertension Essay Topics Topics: 155
• Breast Cancer Paper Topics Topics: 145
• Communicable Disease Research Topics Topics: 58
• Patient Safety Topics Topics: 148
• Dorothea Orem’s Theory Research Topics Topics: 85
• Chlamydia Research Topics Topics: 52
• Asthma Topics Topics: 155
• Nursing Theory Research Topics Topics: 207
• Heart Disease Topics Topics: 150
• Heart Failure Essay Topics Topics: 83
• STDs Essay Topics Topics: 134
• Tuberculosis Paper Topics Topics: 133
• Emergency Department Research Topics Topics: 69
• Diabetes Research Topics Topics: 278
• Pneumonia Research Topics Topics: 80

84 Action Plan Essay Topics

🏆 best essay topics on action plan, 🌶️ hot action plan essay topics, 🎓 most interesting action plan research titles, 💡 simple action plan essay ideas.

• Self-Motivation for Entrepreneurs: An Action Plan
• Action Plan for a Community: Educational Plan
• Advance Practice Nurse Action Plan
• Walmart Tactics and Action Plan
• Disciplinary Action Plan for Customer Service Improvement
• The Action Plan: Literacy Development
• A Personalized Emotional Action Plan Based on Emotional Intelligence Assessment
• A Community Health Action Plan The research paper will outline a Community Health Action plan that can guide the state in achieving the health goals.
• Enhancing Clinical Supervision in a Medical Ward: An Action Plan The proposed plan will support Hospital X’s medical ward in propelling its approaches to clinical supervision to the next level.
• The Product Export: Action Plan The action plan for the product export covers the three stages of bringing the product to the new market: research and development, online retail and marketing, and offline retail.
• Parental Deployment: Action Plan The current case study involves a child with emotional issues who is six years old from a middle-class socioeconomic status background.
• Immigrant Community Change: Action Plan The action plan sets priorities for engaging the community in the implementation process, the outcome of which will determine whether immigrants will settle and find jobs.
• Action Plan for Achieving Compliance with the Clas Standards The paper states that to achieve compliance with the Principal and GLW standards within CLAS, Hospital X plans to improve workforce diversity.
• Digital Citizenship: The Action Plan Several phases, or emphasis areas, may be identified in the construction of a concrete digital citizenship action plan.
• Operation Eagle Claw: Action Plan and Significance “Operation Eagle Claw” is one of the most significant operation failures that transformed U.S military operations. The rescue mission had the objective of rescuing 52 hostages.
• Action Plan to Eliminate New Brunswick’s Demographic Deficit This work aims to propose an action plan designed to eliminate New Brunswick’s demographic deficit to avoid dangerous consequences.
• Economic Action Plan for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania This paper aims to describe the city’s economic development conditions and create an action plan to deal with existing challenges and problems.
• Ethics of Affirmative Action Plan The diagnostic component in affirmative action plans has various qualitative analyses that help in evaluating workforce compositions to determine whether or not labor pools are balanced or not.
• Reducing the Number of Adverse Drug Events Among Older Adults: An Action Plan In the Eisenhower Health Center hospital settings, one of the major concerns for healthcare managers is pharmaceutical products management and distribution.
• Action Plan to Improve Innovation Within a Team An action plan to increase the number of innovative ideas begins with an overview of the management theories and practices of other companies in the oil and gas industry.
• Hospital-Acquired Infections: Leadership Action Plan This paper is centered on the prevalence, implications, and solutions to hospital-acquired infections that are linked to increased mortality rates and financial implications.
• Al Sheheen Organization’s Action Plan Outline Al Sheheen is an organization that is known for providing principal training as well as consultancy services to organizations in the region.
• Health Warning and Personal Action Plan Some of the habits and choices that seem reasonable to a person may be dangerous in the long term, leading to significant health problems.
• Personal Communication Development and Action Plan For a modern person who claims to be cultural and educated, the low culture of communication should be considered as indecent as the inability to read and write.
• Meeting Leadership Challenges: Action Plan Being a leader is a challenging yet attainable goal. Achieving the goal will require the reconsideration of leadership priorities and the design of a coherent action plan.
• Marketing Action Plan and Cost-Benefit Analysis This paper aims to identify the new service line features for the L&D department, segment the market of consumers, and display the cost and benefit analysis table.
• Miami Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Action Plan In this paper, the epidemiological and surveillance data of Miami, Florida will be discussed alongside the analysis of three population-based communicable illnesses.
• Mental Health: Strategic Action Plan The essay investigates how mentally ill people and their families are affected economically and emotionally, how they lose productivity and stability in society.
• Conflict Resolution and Action Plan in Hospital In this assignment, a recurring conflict in a hospital setting in Miami will be discussed for the purpose of developing an effective action plan for subsequent conflict resolution.
• Global Leader Fellows’ Leadership Action Plan This paper aims to present the leadership action plan proposed to develop the global leaders skills and provide the analysis of the Global Leadership Fellows’ visions.
• Nursing Leadership: Plan of Action Nurse leaders need to quickly identify a strategy for evaluating a nursing leadership problem to orchestrate intervention efforts and put together a plan of action.
• National Environmental Action Plan of Maldives Due to the lack of concern for the environment and the unique nature of the Maldives, the state authorities have encountered a unique problems.
• Miami Communicable Diseases and Action Plan Since Miami is at a higher risk of the spread of communicable diseases, a set of actions should be taken to avoid negative effects.
• Why Young People Should Be Encouraging to Develop a Personal Action Plan to Support Their Future Development
• Academic Skills Evaluation and an Action Plan
• Multicultural Action Plan for the United Kingdom
• Career Development Program and Affirmative Action Plan
• Action Plan and Development Plan
• Education Organization and Change Action Plan
• Action Plan for Better Setting of Goals and Organization
• Cultural Competency Action Plan at a Mosque
• Action Plan Assessment and Communication Strategy
• Employee Engagement and Commitment Action Plan
• Australia’s National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality
• Revenue Enhancement Action Plan and Strategy
• Action Plan for Marketing Communications
• Community Risk Reduction Action Plan
• Action Plan Checklist for Goal Setting
• KFC’s Reputation and Action Plan in China
• Action Plan for Career Growth: Strengths and Weaknesses
• How to Create an Action Plan to Improve Leadership Skills
• Poverty Reduction Action Plan for Haiti
• Action Plan Closing the Achievement Gap of African American Students
• Leadership Personal Action Plan for a Successful Leader
• Action Plan for Effective Listening
• The Formulation and Execution of a High-Level Action Plan
• Medical Tourism Promotional Action Plan
• Action Plan: Reducing Obesity in 18-25 Year Olds
• Motivational Strategy and Action Plan
• Action Plan, Evaluation, and Selection of Textbooks for the World Language Curriculum
• Psychology and Humility Action Plan
• Climate Action Plan for the UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• National Juvenile Delinquency Justice Action Plan
• Action Plan for Community Problem Solving
• East-West Economic Corridor: Strategy and Action Plan
• Risk Assessment and Action Plan
• Action Plan for Developing Discovery Skills
• Computer-Related Health Issues Among White-Collar Employees: Communicating an Action Plan
• Professional Career Action Plan for the Healthcare Field
• Action Plan for Diabetes Care and Management
• Uganda’s Poverty Eradication Action Plan
• Medical Product Commercialization Action Plan
• The Engagement Activity, Cool Down, and Action Plan
• Action Plan for E-administration in Abu Dhabi Police
• Diversity Action Plan for Wal-Mart Corporation
• The National Action Plan as Policy for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
• Action Plan for Improving Employee Enrichment
• Steps for Putting Together an Emergency Action Plan
• Employee Motivation Action Plan
• World Bank Group Approach and Action Plan for Climate Change and Health
• Action Plan for the Development of Communication Skills
• Personal Action Plan for Diversity Consciousness
• Action Plan for Nutrition and Diet

Cite this post

• Chicago (N-B)
• Chicago (A-D)

StudyCorgi. (2023, January 27). 84 Action Plan Essay Topics. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/action-plan-essay-topics/

"84 Action Plan Essay Topics." StudyCorgi , 27 Jan. 2023, studycorgi.com/ideas/action-plan-essay-topics/.

StudyCorgi . (2023) '84 Action Plan Essay Topics'. 27 January.

1. StudyCorgi . "84 Action Plan Essay Topics." January 27, 2023. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/action-plan-essay-topics/.

Bibliography

StudyCorgi . "84 Action Plan Essay Topics." January 27, 2023. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/action-plan-essay-topics/.

StudyCorgi . 2023. "84 Action Plan Essay Topics." January 27, 2023. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/action-plan-essay-topics/.

These essay examples and topics on Action Plan were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on June 20, 2024 .

What is an Action Plan? Learn with Templates and Examples

Planning on turning your vision into reality? And what’s your best way to avoid challenges and problems during this journey? A solid action plan.

We have outlined 6 steps explaining how to write an action plan. Once you familiarize yourself with them, go ahead and use the editable templates below to start planning right away.

What is an Action Plan?

Why you need an action plan, how to write an action plan, action plan templates.

An action plan is a specific list of tasks in order to achieve a particular goal. It can be regarded as a proposed strategy to execute a specific project to achieve a specific or general goal effectively and efficiently. It outlines steps to take and helps stay focused and organized, whether it’s personal or work-related. Breaking down the goal into smaller, manageable steps, makes it easier to stay motivated and track progress.

It’s an essential part of the strategic planning process and helps with improving teamwork planning Not only in project management, but action plans can be used by individuals to prepare a strategy to achieve their own personal goals as well.

Components of an action plan include

• A well-defined description of the goal to be achieved
• Tasks/ steps that need to be carried out to reach the goal
• People who will be in charge of carrying out each task
• When will these tasks be completed (deadlines and milestones)
• Resources needed to complete the tasks
• Measures to evaluate progress

What’s great about having everything listed down on one location is that it makes it easier to track progress and effectively plan things out.

An action plan is not something set in stone. As your organization grows, and surrounding circumstances change, you will have to revisit and make adjustments to meet the latest needs.

Sometimes businesses don’t spend much time on developing an action plan before an initiative, which, in most cases, leads to failure. If you haven’t heard, “failing to plan is planning to fail” said Benjamin Franklin supposedly once.

Planning helps you prepare for the obstacles ahead and keep you on track. And with an effective action plan, you can boost your productivity and keep yourself focused.  

Here are some benefits of an action plan you should know;

• It gives you a clear direction. As an action plan highlights exactly what steps to be taken and when they should be completed, you will know exactly what you need to do.
• Having your goals written down and planned out in steps will give you a reason to stay motivated and committed throughout the project.  
• With an action plan, you can track your progress toward your goal.
• Since you are listing down all the steps you need to complete in your action plan, it will help you prioritize your tasks based on effort and impact.

From the looks of it, creating an action plan seems fairly easy. But there are several important steps you need to follow with caution in order to get the best out of it. Here’s how to write an action plan explained in 6 easy steps.

Step 1: Define your end goal

If you are not clear about what you want to do and what you want to achieve, you are setting yourself up for failure.

Planning a new initiative? Start by defining where you are and where you want to be.

Solving a problem? Analyze the situation and explore possible solutions before prioritizing them.

Then write down your goal. And before you move on to the next step, run your goal through the SMART criteria . Or in other words, make sure that it is

• Specific – well-defined and clear
• Measurable – include measurable indicators to track progress  
• Attainable – realistic and achievable within the resources, time, money, experience, etc. you have
• Relevant – align with your other goals
• Timely – has a finishing date

Use this SMART goal worksheet to simplify this process. Share it with others to get their input as well.  

• Ready to use
• Fully customizable template
• Get Started in seconds

And refer to our easy guide to the goal-setting process to learn more about setting and planning your goals.

Step 2: List down the steps to be followed

The goal is clear. What exactly should you do to realize it?

Create a rough template to list down all the tasks to be performed, due dates and people responsible.

It’s important that you make sure that the entire team is involved in this process and has access to the document. This way everyone will be aware of their roles and responsibilities in the project.

Make sure that each task is clearly defined and is attainable. If you come across larger and more complex tasks, break them down to smaller ones that are easier to execute and manage.

Tips: Use a RACI Matrix template to clarify project roles and responsibilities, and plan projects

Step 3: Prioritize tasks and add deadlines

It’s time to reorganize the list by prioritizing the tasks . Some steps, you may need to prioritize as they can be blocking other sub-steps.

Add deadlines, and make sure that they are realistic. Consult with the person responsible for carrying it out to understand his or her capacity before deciding on deadlines.

Step 4: Set milestones

Milestones can be considered mini goals leading up to the main goal at the end. The advantage of adding milestones is that they give the team members to look forward to something and help them stay motivated even though the final due date is far away.

Start from the end goal and work your way back as you set milestones . Remember not to keep too little or too much time in between the milestone you set. It’s a best practice to space milestones two weeks apart.  

Step 5: Identify the resources needed

Before you start your project, it’s crucial to ensure that you have all the necessary resources at hand to complete the tasks. And if they are not currently available, you need to first make a plan to acquire them.

This should also include your budget. You can assign a column of your action plan to mark the cost of each task if there are any.  

Step 6: Visualize your action plan

The point of this step is to create something that everyone can understand at a glance and that can be shared with everyone.

Whether your action plan comes in the shape of a flowchart , Gantt chart , or table , make sure that it clearly communicates the elements we have identified so far – tasks, task owners, deadlines, resources, etc.

This document should be easily accessible to everyone and should be editable.

Step 7: Monitor, evaluate and update

Allocate some time to evaluate the progress you’ve made with your team.

You can mark tasks that are completed as done on this final action plan, bringing attention to how you’ve progressed toward the goal.

This will also bring out the tasks that are pending or delayed, in which case you need to figure out why and find suitable solutions. And then update the action plan accordingly.

Business action plan

You may like to read: The Easy Guide to Making a Business Plan for Presentations

Marketing action plan

Strategic action plan, corrective action plan template.

Learn more about: Corrective Action Plan template .

Additional resources: The Easy Guide to Creating a Business Contingency Plan

Simple action plan template

Any more tips on creating an action plan.

An action plan is designed to guide your way to accomplishing your goals. It turns your vision into actionable goals and steps. And it helps you stay focused and motivated.

From an individual employee in an organization to larger departments can make use of action plans to steer their way towards completing their goals.

Maybe you are about to create your very first action plan, or you are already a pro at writing them. Either way, we’d like to hear your opinions on how to write an action plan. Do share them with us in the comments section below.

Join over thousands of organizations that use Creately to brainstorm, plan, analyze, and execute their projects successfully.

FAQs About Action Plan

Lack of clarity on goals: Make sure the team understands the goals and objectives of the action plan. The goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

Unclear responsibilities: Assign clear roles and responsibilities for each team member to avoid confusion and ensure accountability.

Overcomplicating the plan: Keep the action plan simple and easy to understand. Avoid adding unnecessary complexity or detail that may confuse the team.

Failure to prioritize tasks: Prioritize tasks based on their importance and urgency. This will ensure that the team focuses on the most critical tasks first.

Inadequate resources: Ensure that the team has access to the necessary resources such as time, budget, and equipment, to carry out the action plan successfully.

Lack of communication: Effective communication is crucial to the success of any action plan. Ensure that team members are regularly updated on progress and any changes to the plan.

Failure to monitor progress: Regularly monitor progress and adjust the action plan as needed to ensure that it stays on track and achieves its goals.

Strategic action plan: This type of plan outlines the long-term goals and objectives of an organization, and the actions that will be taken to achieve them. It typically covers a period of several years and includes high-level strategies and initiatives.

Operational action plan: This plan focuses on the day-to-day operations of an organization, outlining the actions that will be taken to achieve short-term goals and objectives. It typically covers a period of one year or less and includes specific actions and timelines.

Project action plan: This type of plan is used for individual projects and outlines the actions that will be taken to achieve specific project goals and objectives. It includes a detailed breakdown of tasks, timelines, and responsibilities.

Sales action plan: This plan focuses on the actions that will be taken to increase sales and revenue. It includes specific strategies for marketing, sales, and customer service.

Marketing action plan: This plan outlines the actions that will be taken to promote a product or service and increase brand awareness. It includes strategies for advertising, social media, public relations, and other marketing initiatives.

Crisis management action plan: This type of plan outlines the actions that will be taken in the event of a crisis, such as a natural disaster or security breach. It includes specific protocols for communication, evacuation, and other emergency procedures.

An action plan can be used by anyone who wants to achieve specific goals or objectives. It is a useful tool for individuals, teams, and organizations in a variety of contexts. Here are some examples:

Individuals: An individual can use an action plan to achieve personal goals such as losing weight, completing a degree, or starting a business.

Teams: A team can use an action plan to achieve goals related to a specific project or initiative. For example, a marketing team may use an action plan to launch a new product.

Small businesses: Small businesses can use an action plan to achieve goals related to sales, marketing, operations, or finance.

Non-profit organizations: Non-profit organizations can use an action plan to achieve goals related to fundraising, volunteer recruitment, or program implementation.

Government agencies: Government agencies can use an action plan to achieve goals related to policy implementation, disaster response, or public safety.

Educational institutions: Educational institutions can use an action plan to achieve goals related to improving student outcomes, increasing enrollment, or expanding programs.

More Related Articles

Amanda Athuraliya is the communication specialist/content writer at Creately, online diagramming and collaboration tool. She is an avid reader, a budding writer and a passionate researcher who loves to write about all kinds of topics.

7 Steps for Writing an Essay Plan

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

Learn about our Editorial Process

Have you ever started writing an essay then realized you have run out of ideas to talk about?

This can make you feel deflated and you start to hate your essay!

The best way to avoid this mid-essay disaster is to plan ahead: you need to write an Essay Plan!

Essay planning is one of the most important skills I teach my students. When I have one-to-one tutorials with my students, I always send them off with an essay plan and clear goals about what to write.

Essay Planning isn’t as dull as you think. In fact, it really does only take a short amount of time and can make you feel oh so relieved that you know what you’re doing!

Here’s my 7-Step method that I encourage you to use for your next essay:

The 7-Step Guide on How to write an Essay Plan

• Figure out your Essay Topic (5 minutes)
• Gather your Sources and take Quick Notes (20 minutes)
• Brainstorm using a Mind-Map (10 minutes)
• Arrange your Topics (2 minutes)
• Write your topic Sentences (5 minutes)
• Write a No-Pressure Draft in 3 Hours (3 hours)
• Edit your Draft Once every Few Days until Submission (30 minutes)

I’ve been using this 7-Step essay planning strategy since I was in my undergraduate degree. Now, I’ve completed a PhD and written over 20 academic journal articles and dozens of blog posts using this method – and it still works!

Let’s go through my 7 steps for how to write an essay plan.

Prefer to Watch than Read? Here’s our video on writing an Essay Plan.

how to write an essay plan

1. figure out your essay topic. here’s how..

Where did your teacher provide you with your assessment details?

Find it. This is where you begin.

Now, far, far, far too many students end up writing essays that aren’t relevant to the essay question given to you by your teacher. So print out your essay question and any other advice or guidelines provided by your teacher.

Here’s some things that your assessment details page might include:

• The essay question;
• The marking criteria;
• Suggested sources to read;
• Some background information on the topic

The essay question is really important. Once you’ve printed it I want you to do one thing:

Highlight the key phrases in the essay question.

Here’s some essay questions and the key phrases you’d want to highlight:

This strategy helps you to hone in on exactly what you want to talk about. These are the key phrases you’re going to use frequently in your writing and use when you look for sources to cite in your essay!

The other top thing to look at is the marking criteria. Some teachers don’t provide this, but if they do then make sure you pay attention to the marking criteria !

Here’s an example of a marking criteria sheet:

Sample Essay Topic: Is Climate Change the Greatest Moral Challenge of our Generation?

Now, if you have a marking criteria you really need to pay attention to this. You have to make sure you’ve ticked off all the key criteria that you will be marked on. For the example above, your essay is going to have to make sure it:

• Takes a position about whether climate change is a serious challenge for human kind;
• Discusses multiple different people’s views on the topic;
• Explores examples and case studies (‘practical situations’);
• Uses referencing to back up your points.

The reason you need to be really careful to pay attention to this marking criteria is because it is your cheat sheet: it tells you what to talk about!

Step 1 only takes you five minutes and helps you to clearly clarify what you’re going to be talking about! Now your mind is tuned in and you can start doing some preliminary research.

2. Gather your Sources and take Quick Notes. Here’s how.

Now that you know what your focus is, you can start finding some information to discuss. You don’t want to just write things from the top of your head. If you want top marks, you want some deep, detailed and specific pieces of information.

Fortunately, your teacher has probably made this easy for you.

The top source for finding information will be the resources your teacher provided. These resources were hand picked by your teacher because they believed these were the best sources available our there on the topic. Here are the most common resources teachers provide:

• Lecture Slides;
• Assigned Readings.

The lecture slides are one of the best resources for you to access. Lecture slides are usually provided online for you. Download them, save them on your computer, and dig them up when it’s time to write the essay plan.

Find the lecture slides most relevant to your topic. To take the example of our climate change essay, maybe climate change is only discussed in three of the weeks in your course. Those are the three weeks’ lecture slides you want to hone-in on.

Flick through those lecture slides and take quick notes on a piece of paper – what are the most important topics and statistics that are relevant to your essay question?

Now, move on to the assigned readings . Your teacher will have selected some readings for you to do for homework through the semester. They may be eBooks, Textbooks or Journal Articles.

These assigned readings were assigned for a reason: because they have very important information to read ! Scan through them and see if there’s any more points you can add to your list of statistics and key ideas to discuss.

Next, try to find a few more sources using Google Scholar. This is a great resource for finding more academic articles that you can read to find even more details and ideas to add to your essay.

Here’s my notes that I researched for the essay question “Is Climate Change the Greatest Moral Challenge of our Generation?” As you can see, it doesn’t have to be beautiful #Studygram notes! It’s just rough notes to get all the important information down:

Once you’ve read the assigned lecture slides and readings, you should have a good preliminary list of ideas, topics, statistics and even quotes that you can use in step 3.

3. Brainstorm using a Mind-Map. Here’s how.

Do your initial notes look a little disorganized?

That’s okay. The point of Step 2 was to gather information. Now it’s time to start sorting these ideas in your mind.

The best way to organize thoughts is to create a Mind-Map. Here’s how Mind-Maps often look:

For your essay plan Mind-Map, write the essay question in the middle of the page and draw a circle around it.

Then, select the biggest and most important key ideas that you think are worth discussing in the essay. To decide on these, you might want to look back at the notes you took in Step 2.

Each key idea will take up around about 200 – 350 words (1 to 2 sentences).

Here’s a rough guide for how many key ideas you’ll want depending on your essay length:

• 1000-word essay: 3 to 4 key ideas
• 1500-word essay: 5 to 7 key ideas
• 2000-word essay: 6 to 8 key ideas
• 3000-word essay: 9 to 12 key ideas

Once you’ve selected your key ideas you can list them in a circle around the essay question, just like this:

Last, we need to add detail and depth to each key idea. So, draw more lines out from each key ideas and list:

• Two sources that you will cite for each key idea;
• A statistic or example that you will provide for each key idea;
• Any additional interesting facts for each key idea

Here’s how it might look once you’re done:

4. Arrange your Topics. Here’s how.

You’re well and truly on your way to getting your essay down on paper now.

There’s one last thing to do before you start getting words down on the manuscript that you will submit. You need to arrange your topics to decide which to write first, second, third, fourth, and last!

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Start and end with your strongest points;
• Ensure the points logically flow.

To ensure your points logically flow, think about how you’re going to transition from one idea to the next . Does one key point need to be made first so that the other ones make sense?

Do two key points seem to fit next to one another? If so, make sure you list them side-by-side.

Have a play around with the order you want to discuss the ideas until you’re comfortable. Then, list them in order. Here’s my order for my Climate Change essay:

Each of these key ideas is going to turn into a paragraph or two (probably two) in the essay.

5. Write your topic Sentences in just 5 minutes. Here’s how.

All good essays have clear paragraphs that start with a topic sentence . To turn these brainstormed key points into an essay, you need to get that list you wrote in Step 5 and turn each point into a topic sentence for a paragraph.

It’s important that the first sentence of each paragraph clearly states the paragraph’s topic. Your marker is going to want to know exactly what your paragraph is about immediately. You don’t want your marker to wait until the 3 rd , 4 th or 5 th line of a paragraph before they figure out what you’re talking about in the paragraph.

So, you need to state what your key idea is in the first sentence of the paragraph.

Let’s have a go at turning each of our key ideas into a topic sentence:

6. Write a No-Pressure Essay Draft in just 3 Hours. Here’s how.

Okay, now the rubber hits the road. Let’s get writing!

When you write your first draft, don’t put pressure on yourself. Remind yourself that this is the first of several attempts at creating a great essay, so it doesn’t need to be perfect right away. The important thing is that you get words down on paper.

To write the draft, have a go at adding to each of your topic sentences to turn them into full paragraphs. Follow the information you wrote down in your notes and Mind-Map to get some great details down on paper.

Forget about the introduction and conclusion for now. You can write them last.

Let’s have a go at one together. I’m going to choose the paragraph on my key idea “Is climate change caused by humans?”

I’ve already got my first sentence and my brainstormed ideas. Let’s build on them to write a draft paragraph:

• “Most scientists believe climate change is caused by humans. In fact, according to the IPCC, over 98% of climate change scientists accept the scientific data that climate change is caused by humans (IPCC, 2018). This figure is very high, signalling overwhelming expert consensus. This consensus holds that the emission of carbon from burning of fossil fuels in the 20 th Century is trapping heat into the atmosphere. However, a minority of dissenting scientists continue to claim that this carbon build-up is mostly the fault of natural forces such as volcanoes which emit enormous amounts of carbon into the atmosphere (Bier, 2013).”

Your turn – have a go at your own draft paragraphs based on your Mind-Map for your essay topic! If you hit a rut or have some trouble, don’t forget to check out our article on how to write perfect paragraphs .

Once you’ve written all your paragraphs, make sure you write an introduction and conclusion .

Gone over the word count? Check out our article on how to reduce your word count.

7. Edit your Draft Once every Few Days until Submission. Check out this simple approach:

Okay, hopefully after your three hour essay drafting session you’ve got all your words down on paper. Congratulations!

However, we’re not done yet.

The best students finish their drafts early on so they have a good three or four weeks to come back and re-read their draft and edit it every few days.

When coming back to edit your draft , here’s a few things to look out for:

• Make sure all the paragraph and sentence structure makes sense. Feel free to change words around until things sound right. You might find that the first time you edit something it sounds great, but next time you realize it’s not as good as you thought. That’s why we do multiple rounds of edits over the course of a few weeks;
• Check for spelling, grammar and punctuation errors;
• Print out your draft and read it on paper. You notice more mistakes when you read a printed-out version;
• Work on adding any more details and academic sources from online sources like Google Scholar to increase your chance of getting a top grade. Here’s our ultimate guide on finding scholarly sources online – it might be helpful for this step!

Before you go – Here’s the Actionable Essay Plan Tips Summed up for you

Phew! That essay was tough. But with this essay plan, you can get through any essay and do a stellar job! Essay planning is a great way to ensure your essays make sense, have a clear and compelling argument, and don’t go off-topic.

I never write an essay without one.

To sum up, here are the 7 steps to essay planning one more time:

The 7-Step Guide for How to Write an Essay Plan

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 25 Number Games for Kids (Free and Easy)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 25 Word Games for Kids (Free and Easy)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 25 Outdoor Games for Kids
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 50 Incentives to Give to Students

1 thought on “7 Steps for Writing an Essay Plan”

Nice fun and concise approach to essays, thank you

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Project Management

Turning Desires Into Reality: How to Write an Action Plan, With Examples

Max 10 min read

Click the button to start reading

It’s so easy to lapse into a daydream over all the things we’d like to be doing in our life. Maybe on a walk with the dog around the block, you start to fantasize about the new career you want to break into, the second home you want to purchase or the dream vacation you hope to take someday. And on the way, you see your neighbors achieving so much. They’re buying new cars, expanding their homes, and growing lush green gardens.

It can feel like salt in the wounds when you finish the loop and return to your own life that looks pretty much the same as it did a decade ago: the same income, the same job, the same beat up car. It’s so common to put forth an honest effort yet feel as though life is just going in circles.

If you’re wishing to make a big change or pursue goals, the good news is that all these dreams are not far away castles in the clouds. Achieving goals and pursuing dreams is about getting practical and establishing systems. It’s about following an action plan.

Whether our goals are career or health related, or something else entirely, a simple practical approach is key to getting there. Let’s look at the six essential steps of an action plan, and then some examples for achieving goals in all areas of our lives.

The 6 Steps in Every Action Plan

An action plan is simple and intuitive. The problem for many is that they do not make the effort to put one into place. Rather than working towards goals, they instead spiral into patterns of procrastination or stagnation. And so simply following a plan places you a cut above the rest. The following six steps cover the essentials to any action plan.

Step 1: Name the Goal

The first step in an action plan is to identify and transcribe the real goal. This may sound so basic, yet it’s so often the case that a goal is never clarified or broken down into specifics.

For example, maybe someone sets out with a goal to lose weight. When she really digs down into her motivations, however, she discovers that her actual objective is to develop an active lifestyle that includes recreational activities like biking and skiing. This is a very different goal than simply reducing the number on the scale. While weight loss may be fundamental to achieving this true goal, it certainly isn’t the only criteria.

Once the true goal is identified, the next step is to outline some parameters around it. This makes it possible to understand whether or not the goal has truly been achieved. A goal to “lose weight,” for example, is so vague that it’s impossible to determine whether or not it’s been attained. The SMART formula is effective at this stage . This is an acronym that stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. A goal that fulfills these five criteria is both meaningful and measurable.

A final component to this first step is to transcribe the goal and place it in a visible location, such as a bulletin board or screen saver. This not only crystalizes the objective, but it also instills the goal into the subconscious. Your energy centers around the goal, and you attract those circumstances and persons necessary to achieve it.

Step 2: List Tasks & Obstructions

Once the goal has been sufficiently identified, the next step is to list all of the tasks needed to achieve the goal. These tasks cannot be general, but rather must be specific and measurable. Take the goal of losing weight. The task of “exercise regularly” is too vague, and can be revised to something more specific such as “walk for 30 minutes every day.”

This is also the point at which to identify obstructions alongside corresponding solutions. Mental block is a common obstruction to achieving a goal. When a goal requires doing something for the first time, fear of the unknown can cause people to stop dead in their tracks. Obstructions also can be budget or skill related. If someone doesn’t have the proper skills or sufficient funds, then the goal is impossible. And so it’s necessary to identify these obstructions and then come up with creative solutions. This could mean receiving training in a new skill, or engaging in exercises to get unstuck .

Step 3: Prioritize the Action List

The first draft of the task list usually covers an enormous number of tasks. It’s often the case, however, that only a few of these activities are critical to achieving the goal. As an action plan seeks to complete a goal as fluidly and efficiently as possible, it eliminates busywork and accentuates those tasks that advance you toward the finish line.

One method for ferreting out critical tasks is to answer the question, “If I could just complete one task, which one would bring me closest to my goal?” Once this task is identified, ask the question again of the remaining tasks, until 20% of the tasks have been singled out. This is the essence of the 80/20 rule, or Pareto Principle , which says that 20% of the tasks drive 80% of the results.

While this planning can be time consuming, in the long run it saves time. It means that every task is meaningful and resources are utilized wisely.

Step 4: Assign Work Sensibly

In the interest of saving money, it’s tempting to try and do everything yourself. But this may not be the best use of resources. Sometimes outsourcing makes more sense. When work is delegated with precision, it means that the person with the most suitable skill set is assigned to a task. It ensures quality, and saves time and other resources in the long run.

Step 5: Set a Deadline

Once the critical tasks are known, it’s possible to sketch out a realistic time frame. A deadline ensures that critical tasks are completed and that the workflow progresses steadily. It creates momentum and drive. If you don’t meet the deadline, however, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It’s simply an indication that the initial estimates were off, and that readjustments are necessary.

Step 6: Reflect & Adjust

Most every action plan requires adjustments as things proceed closer to the goal. As new information is gathered, it may become apparent that a pivot is necessary. Through periodic reflections, it’s possible to make a proper evaluation and adjustment of either the budget, task list, or timeline.

And this summarizes the six essential steps of an action plan. This methodical approach means all energy and resources are prudently dedicated toward achieving the goal. Now let’s look at some examples of what an action plan might look like in various areas of our lives.

Example 1: Business Development

For this example, let’s consider a service business that aspires to rebrand itself in order to attract a higher-income clientele and so increase its overall revenue.

This first step is to define the goal with precision. Rather than state the goal as something like, “Find clients in a higher income bracket,” a SMART goal is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time bound. This could be something like, “Re-brand coaching business over the next six months with the aim to attract clientele who earn $100K+ a year. Within 18 months, these clientele will constitute a majority in the business, and the overall yearly revenue will have increased by 30% above the current revenue.”

This next step is to identify each and every specific task necessary to achieve the goal, and would include things like refresh copy, update photos and select brand colors and fonts.

These tasks need to be specific and measurable. For example, market research and marketing are central toward achieving this goal. However, “create a marketing plan” is far too vague. A better task would be, “select three social media platforms for building and propagating the brand.”

This is also the stage for identifying obstructions and exploring solutions. Perhaps the business owner is not a skilled photographer, or has budget constraints. One way to get around these constraints is to offer free coaching services to a local photographer in exchange for his or her skills.

This stage means parsing through the task list and identifying what actions are really going to draw in and keep the target clientele. It’s quite possible that things like font, logo and brand colors would fall further down on this task list. While market research; digging down to understand what the target clientele really wants and then drafting a marketing plan that attracts them; would certainly be first and foremost.

Again, few of us have a skill set that mirrors a Swiss army knife. As much as we’d like to do it all ourselves, we don’t have the time or the talent to achieve everything on the task list on our own. This step, then, means delegating work with prudence. What other resources might be utilized in order to achieve the goal within the given time and budget constraints? This might mean hiring a virtual assistant to run social media and a copywriter to re-refresh website copy.

With the critical tasks identified, it’s time to establish realistic yet firm timelines. Without a deadline, a goal like rebranding could drag on forever. Some key milestones might include completing market research, launching the new website and implementing the marketing plan.

Step 6: Reflect and Adjust

Once the action plan is underway, plenty of adjustments will be called for. Perhaps the marketing plan isn’t connecting to the target audience. It may be necessary to return to the drawing table, looking carefully at statistics and market research, then tweak the plan going forward.

And this summarizes what a rebranding action plan might look like. Let’s move onto an action plan for a personal health goal.

Example 2: Personal Health

For this next example, let’s consider a goal to improve overall health and fitness.

The first step is to dig down and identify the true objectives, then outline the goal with precision. In this instance, let’s say the individual aims to improve his health in order to increase his lifespan and his ability to participate in lifetime sports such as skiing and tennis. The objective, then, is to both lose weight, improve diet, and strengthen core muscles. A SMART goal might be stated as, “Over the next twelve months, lose twenty pounds, eliminate carbs from my diet while increasing fruit and fiber, and visit the gym four times a week.”

This next step is to list all of the steps necessary to achieve the goal. Many of these tasks are fairly straightforward, such as sign up for a gym membership, purchase gym clothes, outline healthy meal plans and research healthy recipes.

A key component at this stage is also to identify obstructions and solutions. Perhaps a busy work schedule makes regular exercise difficult. A solution might be to start the workday thirty minutes later a few times a week in order to fit in a morning workout. If the obstruction is diet related, then maybe joining a weekly group such as Weight Watchers is the answer to keeping on track.

This stage is about looking over the task list and answering the question, “If I could only select one of these tasks, which one would be most critical toward achieving the goal?” over and over again until the top 20% of the tasks have been identified. Perhaps the most important tasks are getting to the gym and eating healthy meals, while purchasing the perfect pair of sneakers drops to the wayside.

Naturally with a fitness goal, much of the work must be completed by the individual and cannot be delegated. However, if the goal is a team effort, say between spouses, then perhaps one individual is more suited to completing some of the tasks than another. Maybe one person prepares healthy meals, or the two juggle workloads so as to allow each other time to visit the gym.

Ideally, a long-term goal is broken down into short bursts of work. This allows for focus and also the space to pivot and reflect. For this example, the goal of losing twenty pounds over a year might be broken down into losing five pounds every three months.

The final step is to pause regularly to assess. After six weeks of implementing the action plan, perhaps the weight loss isn’t happening, or the diet plan is too difficult. Staying on track may require taking a new approach.

Example 3: Professional Development

In this final example, let’s consider the goal of a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to break away from a corporate position and establish an independent practice.

A SMART way to state this goal is, “Transition into independent employment as a CFP over the next nine months, with the objective to regain my current income level within two years.”

Some of the tasks toward working independently as a CFP would include acquiring necessary licensing, finding a new office, and researching ways to market and solicit business. Purchasing office equipment would also be on order, as well as possibly hiring a VA or bookkeeper. One clear obstruction to reaching this goal would be regulations around soliciting business from current clients.

At this point the 80/20 rule comes into play. What tasks are the most important? Which can be deferred? Licensing and marketing would be critical, while hiring additional help might not be necessary right away.

Once the critical tasks are outlined, the next step is to delegate. Perhaps the clerical work could be outsourced to a VA.

With the critical tasks laid out, this step determines milestones. Is nine months a reasonable target date?

And the final step is to reflect periodically. Is the marketing plan attracting clients? If not, perhaps a new approach is necessary.

We have dreams and aspirations in all areas of our life. Oftentimes, a life milestone such as a 40th birthday or the birth of a child triggers us to set out to tackle life goals.

However, unless goals are approached methodically, they often can be out of reach. They can seem overwhelming, and you may not attempt them at all.

With an action plan, the impossible becomes attainable. An action plan makes goals practical and reachable. This plan not only specifies the true goal, it also charts a realistic path toward getting there.

What is one goal you’d like to reach over the next twelve months?

#ezw_tco-2 .ez-toc-title{ font-size: 120%; ; ; } #ezw_tco-2 .ez-toc-widget-container ul.ez-toc-list li.active{ background-color: #ededed; } Table of Contents

Manage your remote team with teamly. get your 100% free account today..

PC and Mac compatible

Teamly is everywhere you need it to be. Desktop download or web browser or IOS/Android app. Take your pick.

Get Teamly for FREE by clicking below.

No credit card required. completely free.

Teamly puts everything in one place, so you can start and finish projects quickly and efficiently.

Keep reading.

Agile Methodology

The Beginners Guide to Agile Project Management and PMP Certification

The Beginners Guide to Agile Project Management and PMP CertificationBeing in charge of a project can be as exciting as it is challenging. If you’re brand new to taking ownership of a project you may be wondering how to even start. Or maybe you’re looking to expand your skillset and get certified in project management …

Continue reading “The Beginners Guide to Agile Project Management and PMP Certification”

Max 8 min read

Productivity

The Secrets of the Successful: The Best Morning Routine to Effect a Fruitful Day

The Secrets of the Successful: The Best Morning Routine to Effect a Fruitful DayIt’s easy to wonder how successful and wealthy people thrive and stay on top of their games. It’s not uncommon to hear that successful personalities like Oprah Winfrey credit their productivity to having the best morning routine. By taking advantage of their …

Continue reading “The Secrets of the Successful: The Best Morning Routine to Effect a Fruitful Day”

Losing Your Competitive Edge? Here Are the Best Books to Read on Increasing Your Focus, Organization & Productivity

Losing Your Competitive Edge? Here Are the Best Books to Read on Increasing Your Focus, Organization & ProductivityIt’s easy to be cynical when you pick up a book on productivity. As you flip through it, you may come across puzzling concepts like “finding the weakest link,” “going agile” and “incorporating the principles of lean.” Or …

Continue reading “Losing Your Competitive Edge? Here Are the Best Books to Read on Increasing Your Focus, Organization & Productivity”

Max 17 min read

Project Management Software Comparisons

Asana vs Wrike

Basecamp vs Slack

Smartsheet vs Airtable

Trello vs ClickUp

Monday.com vs Jira Work Management

Trello vs asana.

Get Teamly for FREE Enter your email and create your account today!

You must enter a valid email address

You must enter a valid email address!

• Contact sales

Start free trial

How to Write an Action Plan (Example Included)

What Is an Action Plan?

In project management, an action plan is a document that lists the action steps needed to achieve project goals and objectives. Therefore, an action plan clarifies what resources you’ll need to reach those goals, makes a timeline for the action items and determines what team members are required. We’ll define what project goals, project objectives, action items and action steps are later in this guide.

An action plan is similar to a project implementation plan, and it’s very helpful during the project planning and project execution phases. That’s because an action plan documents the execution of the project plan; it’s a detailed list of the work that must be done to complete the project goals, from the start of the project to the finish.

Action Plan Sample

Take a look at this sample of an action plan. We used our free action plan template for Excel and filled out some potential marketing tasks, phases and assignees. It’s a thorough action plan that accounts for progress, timelines, planned hours, resources and even costs. It’s a great place to start when making your own action plan. Download it and keep reading to make an ideal action plan.

Action Plan Components

An action plan answers the who, what and when of what you’re proposing. Those questions are answered by the various components that make up an action plan. The following are the basic building blocks of a successful action plan.

• Action Plan Steps: The action plan steps are the answer to the question of what. They’re the activities that’ll lead to achieving your goal. Action plan steps detail what will happen, and the more detail, the better.
• Action Items: The action items are the specific, small tasks that make up the action plan steps. These are the tasks that, when executed, lead to the next action plan step.
• Action Plan Timeline: An action plan timeline is the whole action plan laid out from start to finish. It shows the full duration of the action plan and every step and task is also plotted on this timeline, including their start and end dates.
• Action Plan Resources: Resources are anything needed to execute the action plan. That includes labor, materials, equipment, etc. You’ll want to identify the resources you’ll need for the action plan and attach them to the tasks to which they’ll be applied.
• Action Plan Matrix: A matrix is just a tool to help you determine which tasks you need to complete and in what order. Use our free action plan template to outline the steps, items, timeline and resources you’ll need to get the plan done right.
• Action Plan Report: Once you start to execute the action plan, you’ll need to ensure your actual progress matches your planned progress. To track progress, you’ll want to use an action plan report, which is a snapshot of your time, costs and more over a specific period.

Not only are you figuring out the action steps and timeline, but you’ll also determine who you’ll assemble for your project team to work on those tasks. This requires robust project management software like ProjectManager . ProjectManager offers multiple action planning tools such as Gantt charts, kanban boards, project calendars and more. Best of all, these project planning views sync with project dashboards, timesheets and workload charts to keep track of progress, project resources and costs.

Types of Action Plans

There are many different types of action plans that are used on various kinds of strategic initiatives. Each is similar in makeup but differs in their goals. Here are a few of the varieties of action plans.

Business Action Plan

A business action plan is used to set goals and tasks when you want to start a business or grow an existing business. It outlines the vision for the business and the actions you’ll take to achieve that vision.

Project Action Plan

An action plan for a project is really no different from a general action plan. The only difference is that it’s about producing a deliverable at the end of the plan, whether that be a product or service.

Personal Action Plan

Again, a personal action plan differs little from any other action plan except for the goal. For example, a personal action plan might be for an individual to exercise more. Therefore, the goal might be to walk for a half-hour a day, say, during lunchtime.

Get your free

Action Plan Template

Use this free Action Plan Template for Excel to manage your projects better.

How to Write an Action Plan for Project Management in 10 Steps

The benefits of an action plan are simple: you’ve now outlined what action steps and what resources are needed to reach your stated project goals. By having this collected in a single project management document, you can more successfully plan out how to execute your project plan.

People get overwhelmed by project management jargon when having to plan out a project, but the word “action” everyone can understand. The fundamentals to getting an action plan together for any project follow these four project planning basic steps:

1. Define Your Project Goals

There’s a difference between project goals and project objectives. Project goals refer to the high-level goals that the project will achieve. Those generally align with the strategic planning and business objectives of organizations.

2. Define Your Project Objectives

The project objectives are much more specific than the project goals. Project objectives refer to the deliverables and milestones that need to be completed to achieve your project goals.

3. Define Action Steps

The action steps are a group of related tasks or action items that must be executed to produce project deliverables.

4. Identify and Prioritize Action Items

Action items are small, individual tasks that make up the action steps that are outlined in your action plan. First, you need to identify task dependencies among them, and then assign those action items a priority level so that they’re executed sequentially.

5. Define Roles & Responsibilities

Now that you’ve divided the work required to accomplish your action plan, you’ll need to assign action items to your project team members and define their roles and responsibilities.

6. Allocate Resources

As with your project plan, your action plan has resource requirements. Having identified your action steps and action items will help you understand what resources are needed for each task and allocate them accordingly.

7. Set SMART Goals

Your action plan needs to be monitored and controlled to measure its performance. That’s why it’s important that you set SMART goals for your action items, action steps and your project objectives. SMART goals stand for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely.

8. Set a Timeline for Your Action Plan

As a project manager, you’ll need to do your best to estimate how long it’ll take to complete your action items and action steps. Once you do so, you’ll have a timeline. You can use project management techniques like PERT charts or the critical path method to better estimate the duration of your project action plan.

9. Write an Action Plan Template

Create or use a simple action plan template to collect tasks, deadlines and assignments. This is the place where everything task-related goes in your project action plan, so you have a place for all this crucial information.

Writing an action plan template it’s a great idea because you’ll need to use that format throughout the project. That’s why we’ve created a free action plan template that you can download. There are also dozens of other free project management templates for Excel and Word that can help you with every phase of your project.

10. Use a Project Management Tool

Use a project management tool to keep you on task. ProjectManager has project planning features that help you monitor and report on project progress and performance. Get a high-level view of the action plan with our live dashboards. Unlike other tools, we don’t make you set up the dashboard.

Once you’ve mapped out your action plan, you can use project planning tools to zoom into all the details about your action steps and action items. With ProjectManager, you can calculate various metrics, such as project variance, workload and more. They’re displayed in easy-to-read charts and graphs. Share them with stakeholders to give them updates on action steps whenever they want.

Tips to Write an Action Plan

Once you have an action plan, how do you work with it to run a successful project? Here are some tips to help with implementing your action plan:

• Focus on priorities and what’s due now when identifying action steps and setting your action plan timeline
• When you complete action steps, mark them off
• Have your team members work on one project management platform
• Set up alerts
• Discuss pending or overdue tasks

Action Plan Example

We’ve been talking a lot about an action plan, but let’s take a look at one in-depth. Below, you’ll see our free action plan template . It’s set up for the development of a website.

It’s broken down into phases, the first being the project planning phase , which includes the action steps, market research and the design of the site. You’ll see that tasks are outlined for each action step, including a description of that task, who’s assigned to execute it, the priority and even the status of its completion.

This is followed by the third action step, which is the launch of the site. This is the execution phase of the action plan, but it follows the same format, such as noting the priority, who’s responsible for the work, what that work is and its status.

There’s also a timeline to define the start dates of each of the tasks in the action steps, including the planned hours. This allows you to determine the length of each task and the duration of the entire action plan, from start to finish.

Finally, there’s a place to add your resources. They’re broken down into departments, for example, marketing, web development, etc. Then the materials that are required for each task are listed, including their costs. This allows you to estimate the cost of the plan.

How to Make An Action Plan With ProjectManager

Follow along with this action plan example to see how action plans are typically laid out using project planning software .

1. Map Action Plan Steps Using Multiple Project Views

ProjectManager can help you build your action plan and then execute it. Collect all your action steps tasks on our list view, which does more than light-weight to-do list apps because it allows you to then map your action plan with Gantt charts , project calendars and kanban boards. These robust project management tools allow you to prioritize action items, customize tags and show the percentage complete for each task. Our online project management software gives you real-time data to help you create an action plan and stick to it.

2. Assign Action Items to Your Team Members

Once you’ve mapped out your action plan steps with ProjectManager’s project planning tools , you can assign tasks to your team members and indicate what resources are needed for the completion of each action item. Indicate their roles and responsibilities and set priority levels for each task to ensure the work is carried out properly.

3. Set Action Plan Steps and Deliverables

It’s important to note all the phases of the project timeline to know what action steps and tasks will take place and when. In addition, ProjectManager’s Gantt chart allows you to identify project phases, find the critical path, and set due dates for project milestones and deliverables

4. Track Progress With Real-Time Dashboards

Once you start the project, you’ll need to chart the progress of the work being done. This leads us to the real-time project dashboard , where you’ll check whether your action plan is on schedule and under budget.

Manage Your Project With an Action Plan

Getting a plan together is only the first part of managing a project . Remember, it’s not something to write and put away, but rather it’s a living document that should follow you throughout the project life cycle. Jennifer Bridges, PMP, offers more tips on how to write an action plan in the video below.

Here’s a screenshot for your reference:

ProjectManager’s Action Planning Tools are Ideal for Managing Action Plans

If you’re looking to make an action plan and then take action on it by executing, monitoring and reporting on a project, then you’ll want ProjectManager. Our online project management software lets you make an action plan online with multiple project planning tools such as Gantt charts, task lists, kanban boards and project calendars. Then, you can use timesheets, project dashboards and resource management tools to keep track of progress, time and costs.

Plan & Schedule With Gantt Charts

ProjectManager’s Gantt chart is ideal to map out your action plan on an interactive project timeline that helps you organize your tasks, link dependencies and set milestones. More than that, you can filter for the critical path. When you’re done scheduling your action steps you can set a baseline. This allows you to always see the planned versus actual progress of your action plan to help you stay on track.

Manage Action Items with Kanban Boards, Task Lists and Project Calendars

Once you’ve used the Gantt chart to create a timeline for your action plan, you can zoom into the nitty-gritty details of everyday work with kanban boards , task lists and project calendars. With these tools, you can assign tasks and give teams a collaborative platform to comment and share relevant documents with unlimited file storage and real-time communication features.

Track Progress, Resources and Costs With Real-Time Action Plan Dashboards

ProjectManager’s real-time action plan dashboards sync with all its project management tools so you can check the status of your action plan at any time. You can check on your team members’ progress to see who’s over or underallocated, check labor costs and track whether your team is on schedule.

ProjectManager gives you all the tools you need to create and implement a successful action plan. Regardless of the type of action plan that you need to create, our award-winning project management software makes it easy to do so. Get started with a free 30-day trial today. 

Deliver your projects on time and on budget

Start planning your projects.

Essay plans

An essay plan is a way to identify, select, and order the points you want to make in your essay. It helps you to work out your argument and your structure before writing, which should make the writing process more efficient and focussed. Sometimes essay plans are set as formative assignments so tutors can provide feedback before you write your full essay. 

Scroll down for our recommended strategies and resources. 

Enough detail for feedback

If you have an essay plan as an assignment, the main purpose is to give your lecturer enough information about your structure and main points so they can give you useful feedback. Follow any guidance you have been given, but usually an essay plan doesn’t have to be in full sentences; an outline structure of main points in a bullet point list, maybe with some further details of the evidence you will use or explanation under each point, is often enough. See these guides on how to do simple outline plans for an essay:

How to plan an essay (University of Newcastle)

Structuring the essay (Monash University)

Different ways of planning

Group similar ideas.

The aim of planning is to put down all your ideas and then to sort through them and order them. Look at where the ideas group together to see if any common themes start emerging, as these might form the paragraphs in your essay. See the video below for an example of how to group and order ideas in a plan.

Planning: General structure [video] (University of York)

Changes are normal - reverse outline

We rarely follow our essay plans exactly because our ideas develop as we write. If you don’t keep to your plan, it isn’t a sign of failure or a sign that planning doesn’t work. However, you may need to reflect on your planning process - are you over-planning and it takes too much time, or are your plans too vague and more detail would help? If you have strayed from your plan, a good strategy is to check the structure of your essay afterwards to make sure it all matches up. See the guide below on how to do a reverse outline as a useful part of your redrafting process.

Reverse outlines (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Back to top

Cookie statement

Plan of Action Examples: How to Master Action Plans

Learn all about action plans. We cover the benefits, specific steps, and provide you with some great plan of action examples.

Start using Motion today

• Replace all the tools you use to be productive and organized, with one simple app
• Get a personalized schedule each day, without manual planning
• Make your team 30% more efficient by eliminating manual planning

We all juggle multiple tasks daily, so we all know that being disorganized can unleash some serious chaos. It can transform a productive day into an inefficient and stressful one.

Disorganization drains time and energy and can leave essential tasks in the unfinished pile.

That’s why so many teams turn to action plans. They provide a clear and structured approach to task management.

In this guide, we explore how these plans can be a solution for your organization and provide a few plan of action examples to help you get started.

What is a plan of action?

An action plan is a detailed sequence of steps to achieve a certain goal.

They usually consist of:

• A clear objective
• Necessary tasks
• Assigned team members

It’s a framework that ensures a goal is accomplished.

Its roots can be traced back to military strategies where detailed planning was vital. As businesses grew in the 20th century, they adopted action plans, too.

These plans helped them to:

• Drive growth
• Streamline projects
• Set a clear direction

How does an action plan differ from generic plans or to-do lists?

A simple  to-do list  or a generic plan isn’t nearly as strategy-oriented and specific as an action plan.

Lists or basic plans might detail tasks but wouldn’t necessarily dive into the specifics. An action plan, on the other hand, is far more comprehensive and strategic.

‎It doesn’t just outline the "what" but delves deep into the "how" and "why" of each task. It ensures that every step is well-thought-out, which reduces the risk of oversight.

Action plans are also distinct in that they incorporate timelines, metrics, and accountability. So, they’re great tools to clarify all team members' roles.

Why create an action plan?

An action plan is a powerful tool that lays the foundation for your team's objectives and effective communication.

It breaks down a larger goal into smaller, tangible steps. This detailed, systematic roadmap to success allows teams to see what needs to be done — and how to do it.

As a result, efforts are aligned with the desired outcome.

You can also think of your action plan as a shared reference point from which team members can communicate, understanding how their roles and tasks fit into the broader plan.

What are the primary benefits?

Let’s now cover the benefits your team can reap using these action plans.

Increased efficiency and productivity

With a well-structured action plan, teams can swiftly move from one task to another without losing momentum. The clarity it provides reduces the time spent on figuring out the next steps or other types of decision-making.

Ultimately, with an action plan you ensure energy is directed toward execution and progress rather than having to use it to keep the momentum going.

Reduced risks and errors

A solid action plan outlines the needed steps and anticipates potential challenges. That allows for the ability to recognize pitfalls earlier and proactively address obstacles.

For example, a startup launching a new product could use an action plan to detail which features need to be ready by what date. The team members can identify challenges like supply chain disruptions or software bugs and have contingency plans in place before a problem arises.

Components of a plan of action

Next, let’s break down the key components of an action plan.

Goals and objectives

Recognizing your desired outcomes guides your focus for the project. It clarifies priorities and end goals.

Determine what you want to achieve in specific, measurable terms.

For example,  a team might aim to launch their new product by the holiday season or achieve a four-star average rating in customer reviews in the first month.

Tasks and actions

Each overarching goal must be transformed into a series of actionable steps.

Each task should include an exact deadline and who’s best suited for each task.

For example , the marketing team could be assigned a campaign to complete by the end of September or the development team could be given a series of deadlines for tasks that lead to product completion.

Every action plan needs a well-defined timeframe, with realistic start and end dates for the project.

You’ll also need key milestones that act as progress checkpoints.

For example,  a team could create a  Gantt chart  against a calendar with milestones such as finalizing the prototype and securing the first 100 pre-orders.

Evaluation criteria

Your plan also needs metrics for how you'll measure the success of each task and the overall plan.

There should be set intervals, whether weekly or monthly, to review progress. These checkpoints will be moments to evaluate and pivot strategy where necessary.

For example,  A team’s KPI (key performance indicator) might be their customer retention rate or the number of units produced without defects. Based on their early data, they could see their successes and where they needed to improve.

Step-by-step guide to creating an action plan

Let’s get into the nuts and bolts of each step, including actionable tips for each.

‎Step #1: Understand the objective

Your planning starts with a clear destination. Don’t rush through this step, because an unclear vision at the start will complicate all the later steps.

Gather your core team and discuss the overarching goal. This is the time for big-picture thinking.

Frame the outcome in relatable terms and put it in writing. This will become your team’s North Star.

Expert tip:  Use the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound) to ensure your goal is well-defined and actionable.

Step #2: Brainstorm tasks

With a clear objective, it's time to break it down into manageable tasks.

Enlist your team members in this phase, as they can provide valuable insights. Encourage out-of-the-box thinking and jot down every task. Organize related tasks together to keep a logical order and make the process seem less daunting.

Expert tip:  Use brainstorming tools like mind maps or sticky notes on a board. This visual approach can help you see the entire process and identify potential gaps or overlaps.

Step #3: Prioritize

Next, host a workshop with your team to determine task importance.

Team leads can help articulate and align each task's implications with the larger objective.

You can use a tool like the Eisenhower box to categorize and prioritize tasks.

Expert tip:  Variables change, and so should your priorities. Regularly revisit them and adjust based on new info or unforeseen challenges.

Step #4: Allocate resources

First, map out all the requirements for each task.

Then, hold individual meetings with your team to assign tasks based on their strengths and current bandwidth. Also, identify and resolve gaps in tools, software, or other  resources . That might mean training, investing in new tools, or hiring additional help.

Expert tip:  Open communication is key. Set up open communication channels so team members can report on their needs as the project progresses.

Step #5: Set a timeline

You want to maintain a balance between setting goals that are ambitious  and  realistic.

Define start and end dates and milestones with adequate buffer time.

Determine task dependencies with your team, and always have a contingency plan.

Expert tip:  Use project management tools that allow for visual timeline representation, making adjustments easier.

Step #6: Monitor and adjust

Next, set up regular progress-tracking sessions.

These should be short-focused, allowing team members to voice concerns or ask for adjustments.

During these sessions, go beyond just ticking off completed tasks. Probe deeper by asking team members about any roadblocks they're facing. If a task is lagging, investigate the root cause early and make changes.

Expert tip:  Cultivate a feedback-friendly culture. When team members feel their input is valued, they're more likely to share vital information.

Step #7: Review

Once your project reaches completion, gather your team for a review session.

The emphasis should be on learning and growing. Discuss what went well, where there were hiccups, and what could be improved.

Engage in open dialogue and encourage feedback from all team members, no matter their position. Take the insights from these discussions and integrate them into your strategy for future projects.

Expert tip:  Conduct a post-project debrief involving all key stakeholders to gain a holistic view of the project's successes and areas for improvement.

Plan of action examples

It helps to see exactly what we’re talking about. That’s why we’ve put together a couple of examples.

Consider this first one here. It has an overarching goal and the different components necessary for achieving it.

‎Here’s another example. This one focuses on multiple goals and spells them out as well.

‎How automation is changing action plans

Automation has created a new era of streamlined processes. But automated planning tools aren’t just about speed. They're about precision and adaptability.

These tools quickly generate plans while maintaining consistency. That dramatically reduces manual intervention and related errors.

One of the other main benefits of automated planning is flexibility.

When circumstances inevitably change, automated tools can recalibrate plans in real time. As a result, businesses remain agile and respond well to ever-evolving challenges.

But automation isn't a replacement for traditional action planning. It’s more of a collaboration between human strategy and time-saving technology.

Automation can take over repetitive tasks and allow the team to focus on higher-level thinking and decision-making.

Despite advances in automation, the value of the human touch in planning remains irreplaceable. You need both human and machine to generate real magic.

‎Motion, in particular, exemplifies how automation and traditional planning can coexist. It merges the best of both worlds for action plans that are

With its real-time adjustments, businesses stay ahead of the curve.

Best practices for action plans

Use these tips to dive a little deeper and master the art of effective action plans.

Scenario planning

While flexibility is essential, being proactive can set you apart.

Engage in "what if'' scenario planning, where you visualize possible challenges and decide responses in advance. That way, you're better equipped to navigate unforeseen circumstances.

External experts

Bringing in an external expert or consultant with a fresh perspective can have a powerful impact.

An outsider’s view can highlight blind spots or suggest innovative approaches you hadn't considered.

In-depth risk analysis

Instead of a superficial look at potential risks, delve deep. Use tools like SWOT analysis or PESTEL analysis to understand internal and external factors that might impact your plan.

Advanced tech integration

Don’t just resort to basic tools. Consider tools like advanced analytics, AI-driven insights, or predictive modeling to take your planning process to a new level. These can provide genuine insights and forecast trends.

Cross-functional collaboration

Encourage teams from different departments to collaborate.

Their combined expertise can lead to a well-rounded plan that accounts for diverse perspectives and addresses organizational challenges.

Who needs an action plan?

The reach of action plans extends far beyond the corporate boardroom. Let’s explore how these action plans can be put to use.

‎Individuals aiming for personal development

An action plan provides a roadmap for individuals to reach their goals purposefully and precisely.

That could be for individuals:

• Charting a career path
• Pursuing a hobby
• Setting personal milestones

Teams working on projects

Teams benefit from a clear, shared vision. Action plans spell out:

• Responsibilities

That helps teams with anything from creative endeavors to logistical challenges.

Businesses aiming for growth

It doesn’t matter the size. Companies find value in action plans when launching new products, entering markets, or creating strategies for growth. They help to align resources and track progress.

Students and educators

Students can use action plans to navigate study goals or research projects in the academic world.

Educators can design lesson plans or academic calendars.

They serve as a tool to ensure alignment with learning objectives and timelines.

Plan better with Motion

You now have all the knowledge you need to start making powerful action plans. Remember to look back at our plan of action examples if you need a visual reminder of what to strive for.

In the intricate dance of planning and execution, leveraging tools like Motion is imperative. With its cutting-edge, AI-driven capabilities, Motion redefines the essence of efficient planning.

Don't let projects and tasks overwhelm you. Transform your action planning with our software.  Try Motion for free  today.

Related articles

Understanding the Sprint Backlog and How to Use It

The Poetry of Purpose: Inspirational Purpose Statement Examples

The Secrets to Effective Sprint Planning

Put motion to the test., tech and media companies are talking about motion.

• Design for Business
• Most Recent
• Presentations
• Infographics
• Data Visualizations
• Forms and Surveys
• Video & Animation
• Case Studies
• Digital Marketing
• Design Inspiration
• Visual Thinking
• Product Updates
• Visme Webinars
• Artificial Intelligence

How to Create an Effective Action Plan (Examples & Templates)

Written by: Raja Mandal

Since you're here, you might be struggling to achieve your personal, professional or company goals. And if you think an action plan is just what you need to help you create a clear path for reaching your goals, you're absolutely right!

An effective action plan is critical, whether sending out weekly email newsletters, putting together a presentation, or executing a marketing plan or business plan . However, creating an action plan from scratch can be even more troublesome if you don’t know how to do it.

Fortunately, with Visme’s action plan templates , anyone can create an effective action plan in minutes.

Continue reading to discover what exactly an action plan is, why you need one, how to create one and some template examples that you can use it for inspiration.

Table of Contents

What is an action plan and why do you need one, why do you need an action plan, how to create an effective action plan.

10 Action Plan Templates To Help You Execute Projects

As the name suggests, an action plan is the set of tasks or activities you need to complete to achieve a goal or complete a project. You can think of it as a timeline, a list of actionable steps, people responsible for each of them and who follows the progress of each step to come up with the best results.

This single document can help you plan and monitor activities, identify the resources needed, and how and when they should be used to ultimately achieve your stated goal.

Now, you might be wondering the difference between an action plan and a to-do list. The most significant difference between these two is that to-do lists are ongoing and include tasks for different goals and projects. On the flip side, an action plan is focused on a specific goal within a limited time frame.

The purpose of creating an action plan:

• Consumer Complaint Investigation
• Project Management
• Risk and Opportunity Management
• Product Launch
• Daily Meetings
• Market Research

According to a recent study, those who finish their business plan are twice as likely to succeed in their business than those who have no business plan. So, plan to be prepared for the obstacles ahead and keep yourself on track.

And an effective action plan helps you boost your productivity and keep yourself focused. Here are some of the reasons why you need an action plan.

Get a Clear Direction

An action plan highlights the steps you should take and the timeframe to complete them. Therefore, you will get a clear direction of what to do in order to achieve your goals. So, whenever you stress yourself about the next steps or the actions taken in the past, you have everything in hand.

Keep Everyone On the Same Track

An effective action plan can bring every team member or stakeholder on the same page. It can be an individual who is an expert in the area of work, the one who is experiencing the problem and stands to benefit from the change, or who can contribute towards the goal or project.

Get a Better Clarification of the Timeframe

Every action in your action plan should have an exact completion date. Once you assign all the tasks that need to be done to achieve your goal and understand the requirements of resources for it, you can quickly figure out how long the overall action plan will take.

Measure Your Success

Measuring the success of the progress of your goal is another crucial benefit of using an action plan. For example, if an objective is to write an action plan, there may be many steps towards that goal, including understanding the design process, writing the text, branding and many others.

You can measure each of these steps to ensure you achieve the goals and contribute to the larger objective of creating an action plan.

Learning to create an action plan might seem daunting at first, but it’s worth the effort to keep yourself productive towards the goal later on. Though there is no universal formula to create an action plan, and they may differ in terms of tasks and timelines, you can follow the simple steps below to create one.

Define S.M.A.R.T. Goals

The most important ingredients you need to create an effective action plan are the goals you want to achieve. Since you are reading this, you might have already defined goals. But, if you haven’t, use the SMART method to create specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound goals.

Use the infographic below to understand a SMART goal and try to create yours accordingly.

Once you have set SMART goals, you are already halfway through achieving them. If you struggle with creating SMART goals, use the worksheet template below.

Additionally, read the article on how to create SMART goals to learn more about it.

Prepare the List of Actions

Now, prepare a list of actions you need to take to reach your goal. It would be better to divide your main goal into smaller actionable steps to make the final goal less overwhelming and get closer to achieving your goal one step at a time.

However, make sure that the actions are realistic and relevant to your goal. For example, if you want to generate 30% more leads, some of your actions could be creating engaging content, optimizing your web pages, asking for referrals, and many others.

Identify and Allocate Resources

Before creating the action plan, you must identify all the resources required to complete the tasks. Some of the resources you need will include money, equipment, personnel, tools and others. And if you don’t have the resources available at the moment, you need to make a plan to acquire them.

Once you have your resources, allocate them to the right people. For example, suppose you are running a digital marketing campaign. In that case, you will need to have the applications and tools for content production, graphic design, and marketing analytics and hand them over to your content manager, social media manager and SEO manager.

Set the Deadline

As we have already discussed, the goals should be SMART. And here, T stands for time-bound, which means that you should have a start and finish date to achieve your goal. If you don’t do it, you are likely to never reach the goal.

Therefore, choose a specific deadline so the other team members involved can plan better for the execution of the action plan.

Additionally, you can break one large goal into smaller subgoals and set an individual deadline for each of them. For example, if you want to generate 30% more leads by the end of Q4 this year, you can set subgoals such as:

• Upload first YouTube video by X date.
• Publish 250 blog posts by X date.
• Host 25 webinars by X date.

Create a Visual Representation

Now, let’s move to the part where you will actually materialize your action plan. Creating a visual representation of the action plan is the best way to engage your team so that everyone knows the plan well.

But designing an action plan from scratch is not an easy task. Visme is there to help you design the action plan without stressing yourself out for the design part. Follow the steps below to visualize your action plan.

Pick a Template

Visme offers a wide range of professionally designed action plan templates for various business types and use cases. Choose a template from the library that suits your needs or that you can easily customize a little to create your very own action plan.

Input Your Text and Data

Now, edit the empty fields to fill in your objectives, tasks, deadline, budget, and many others. Click on one of the text boxes and start typing to insert your text or replace any pre-existing text with your own.

Change the Colors and Fonts

Customize the appearance of your action plan further by changing the colors and fonts. Select the element you want to change color for and use the color picker tool to change the color according to your need.

Once you are done with the colors, you can now change the font style, color and size. Double click on the text that you want to change the font for and use the editor on top to do it.

Use your brand colors and brand fonts in the action plan to perfectly represent your brand. Visme lets you save your brand assets so that you get customized templates according to your brand guidelines at your fingertips.

Watch the video below to learn more about setting up your brand identity kit in Visme.

Incorporate Icons and Illustrations

Icons and illustrations are the essential part of visually expressing actions and ideas. Add relevant icons and illustrations or swap out the ones included to ensure they match your action plan. Visme offers thousands of professionally crafted icons and illustrations that you can use in your design.

Additionally, take your design to the next level effortlessly by incorporating 3D animated assets in your action plan.

Collaborate with Your Team

To make the most of your action plan, ensure that you include all the team members that you think can contribute to the success of your plan. Start collaborating with your team and effectively create stunning designs right inside Visme.

Check out the video tutorial below to learn more about it.

Share Your Action Plan

Once you are satisfied with your action plan, you can share it with your team members. Download the action plan as a high-resolution JPG or PNG image file or share it via a link. If you want to publish your action plan on a website to blog, generate an embedded link and paste it wherever you want.

Monitor the Progress

Track your progress regularly and ensure that each step in your action plan is completed on time. You can use an internal reporting system or hold regular meetings to track progress. Mark tasks that are completed as done on the action plan to bring them to the attention of your team members.

This will help you better understand the pending or delayed tasks for which you need to find solutions. Finally, keep updating the action plan regularly according to your progress. With Dynamic Fields , it's easy to keep your action plan, and all other projects, updated. Once you input data into a dynamic field, it will change across all projects it’s used in.

If you are considering the action plan for a project, you can also opt for project management plan templates to keep track of your project progress and ensure a smooth operation.

Additionally, Visme offers a wide variety of other documents such as status reports , marketing plans , sales plans , project plans , organizational charts and many more.

10 Action Plan Templates to Help You Execute Projects

1. marketing action plan.

Planning marketing and promotional activities are critical aspects of your business process as they help you achieve your business goals and grow your business. If you are a marketer, you should plan activities each month and compare them with your expected results.

This action plan template can help you track the actual results of those activities and help you with your future plans. Whether your marketing objective is increasing sales or brand awareness , you can use this template as a part of your overall marketing plan .

2. 90-Day Action Plan

The position of C.E.O. comes with high expectations. With the unknowns of a new role in a new organization, the pressure to perform and the need to be accepted as a new leader by the team, it can be challenging to know where to start.

Use this 90-day action plan to understand your new organization, its target market, functional interdependencies, growth opportunities, and much more.

3. Employee Corrective Action Plan

As a business owner, you need to take corrective actions when the goals and objectives are not in line with your expectations and the process starts experiencing flaws. An employee corrective action plan is one of the crucial ones of them.

This often happens when the employee lacks key skills or doesn’t understand your organizational processes or objectives. An employee corrective action plan template like the one below allows you to record the disciplinary action that needs to be taken and suggest improvements and comments.

4. Project Action Plan

When starting or running a new project like website designing or anything else, you need to juggle many things at once. Use this website design project action plan to ensure that the project goes more smoothly.

It gives you complete visibility of the objectives, tasks and the given timeframe, making it easier for you to organize teams, assign tasks, track performance and measure the execution of the project.

Additionally, learn more about how Visme can help you better manage projects .

5. S.M.A.R.T Action Plan

You might already know that SMART goals push you further, giv1425287609es you a sense of direction and help you organize and reach your goals. Imagine what will happen if you combine your SMART goals with the action plan. Every action you take will be completely aligned with the specific goal.

This action plan template helps you do just that. Edit this template and add your SMART goal and the action steps altogether.

6. Emergency Action Plan

As a business owner, you must always be prepared for emergencies while running the business. These emergencies include hazardous materials spills, fires, natural disasters, and many others. The most effective way of handling a crisis situation is to prepare in advance by creating an emergency action plan.

The emergency action plan template helps you prepare the evacuation plan for your workplace in the event of a natural disaster. Edit this template or use it as is to do as much as possible to keep your employees safe in case of disaster.

7. Disciplinary Action Plan

The goal of a disciplinary action plan is to warn employees about what is and is not acceptable behavior in the workplace. This is mainly provided to employees during the onboarding process, but you can also use it for existing employees.

Edit this template by filling out the empty spaces with the necessary information and hand it over to the employee you want to warn of unacceptable behavior.

8. 30-60-90 Day Action Plan

The 30 60 90 day action plan is a structured way of enlisting goals and strategies in 3 steps timeline. Project managers, new hires, sales executives, and many other professionals can use this template to plan the company’s objectives and ensure that the goals are met.

This action plan template includes a 90-day action plan for a tech project split into three parts. The first 30 days show the initial steps, such as discussing project breakdown and planning with clients. Similarly, the next 60 and 90 days include other crucial actions such as quality assurance, bug fixes, feature rollout, final launch, KPI tracking, updates and many more.

9. 30-Day Action Plan

Like the 30-60-90 day action plan, the 30-day action plan is a set of steps that you need to take within 30 days to achieve the specific goal. If the project is going to take not more than 30 days or if you want to finish the project in 30 days, this action plan template is perfect for you.

This action plan template also lets you break down the project into three smaller parts to make the actions more realistic and effective. Edit this template to create the perfect 30-day action plan for any type of project you want.

10. Sales Action Plan

Create a colorful sales action plan using this template. It will help you explain how you will operate and manage the sales process to skyrocket your sales. Set goals to manage your inventory, project sales, expenses, timeline and many others.

Furthermore, the template allows you to set different plans for online and in-store sales, making the template a must-have for your overall sales plan.

Learn more about how Visme can help you close more sales and take your business to the next level.

Create Your Action Plan Using Visme

Are you ready to create an effective action plan and track your progress while executing and running projects? Choose your favorite action plan template from the list above and start editing it using Visme’s professional document creator .

Almost every part of these templates is editable and the easy-to-use drag and drop tool helps you create action plans in a few clicks.

Sign-up for a free account in Visme today and your action plans are just a few clicks away.

Design an effective action plan quickly and easily using Visme.

Trusted by leading brands

Recommended content for you:

Create Stunning Content!

Design visual brand experiences for your business whether you are a seasoned designer or a total novice.

About the Author

Raja Antony Mandal is a Content Writer at Visme. He can quickly adapt to different writing styles, possess strong research skills, and know SEO fundamentals. Raja wants to share valuable information with his audience by telling captivating stories in his articles. He wants to travel and party a lot on the weekends, but his guitar, drum set, and volleyball court don’t let him.

Academic Action Plan

When we see a variety of schools or universities, we think that this is an easy concept to think about. Handling a university filled with students is not as much of a challenge as owning your own business or company. However, what the majority of us may fail to see is that, a school or a university is basically like owning a business or a company, because you or you are going to assign a person to handle the place. What we may also fail to see at some point is that, just like a company or a business, there is also a plan behind it. The only difference is that this kind of action plan caters to academics rather than business. With that being said, here are some examples of making an academic action plan .

10+ Academic Action Plan Examples

1. academic action plan template.

• Google Docs

2. Student Academic Action Plan

Size: 301 KB

3. Academic Facility Action Plan

Size: 151 KB

4. Academic Recovery Action Plan

Size: 200 KB

5. Standard Academic Action Plan

Size: 20 KB

6. Academic Success Action Plan

Size: 150 KB

7. University Academic Action Plan

Size: 39 KB

8. Academic Action Plan Proposal

Size: 89 KB

9. Academic Success Personal Action Plan

Size: 26 KB

10. Academic Office Action Plan

Size: 326 KB

11. Academic Action Plan in PDF

Size: 96 KB

What Is an Academic Action Plan?

An academic action plan is a strategic plan that provides information and strategies in order to make the project or the outcome a success. This strategic plan not only provides but also outlines the basis of the strategies and how you may want to view the action when it is done. In addition to that, an academic action plan helps by giving you a learning curve as to what is necessary for the school, the faculty, the students and the lessons. Lastly, an academic plan is made to help identify and discuss the academic goals you may have in order to improve and to achieve your academic goals for the school year.

How to Make an Academic Action Plan

To make an academic action plan, you only have to be certain of some things. Since to make or to write an academic action plan is not a laughing matter, nor something that you should not take seriously. This is going to help you in the long run, so you must at least understand the seriousness of this. With that, here are steps on making an academic action plan.

1. Do Plan Ahead of the Time

Planning ahead of time on what you want your action plan to have is part of the process. Planning ahead in general in order to make your academic goal a success is a part of the process as well. Why do you need to plan ahead of time? The reason is simple, planning ahead helps you understand, do your research, discuss with your team and of course it also helps you outline how you want to achieve the academic goals you may have for the academic year. May it be for the students, the school , the employees or the general idea.

2. Form an Academic Team to Help

To make your academic goals possible, make sure to form an academic team to help you out. Make sure to add this to your academic action plan as well. Forming an academic team can help you by dividing the tasks ahead. It also helps by giving you different strategies that can be taken or used from each of the team member. The more strategies you have, the better chance for you to achieve that academic goal.

3. List Down the Strategies and the Results

What you should expect and see in your academic action plan, apart from your goals and objectives will be your strategies and results. Your results may vary depending on the strategies you are using and what your main target or main audience will be. What part of the goal are you going to handle your strategies for? List them all down and the results, whether they may be positive or negative. This is part of your action plan.

4. Add Some Milestones to Your Academic Plan

Milestones or small successes in your academic action plan is welcome. These milestones or small successes help you see the progress or the growth of your academic action plan. In addition to that, it also helps you assess and evaluate the progress, whether it would be a small growth or a larger one.

What is an academic action plan?

An academic action plan is a kind of action plan in which you list your goals, objectives and strategies. In order for you to control the outcome of your goals and to achieve greater success.

Why is it important to have strategies for your action plan?

The strategies help you maintain better control and to have better success for your actions or projects.

Why do you need a team for an academic plan?

A team has a better way of giving you a better chance of making the academic action plan to be better. It also gives you the opportunity to achieve your goals with a lot of people to help you out.

Making an academic action plan helps. It helps by giving you an outline of your strategies and plans in order for your goals to be achieved as easy as it can be. Your action plan is your road map. How you make it will depend on how you want to take action for it as well. To get better results, strategies and your objectives should also be necessary.

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

Create a study plan for final exams in high school

Develop a project timeline for a middle school science fair.

How to Write a Research Proposal: (with Examples & Templates)

Table of Contents

Before conducting a study, a research proposal should be created that outlines researchers’ plans and methodology and is submitted to the concerned evaluating organization or person. Creating a research proposal is an important step to ensure that researchers are on track and are moving forward as intended. A research proposal can be defined as a detailed plan or blueprint for the proposed research that you intend to undertake. It provides readers with a snapshot of your project by describing what you will investigate, why it is needed, and how you will conduct the research.  

Your research proposal should aim to explain to the readers why your research is relevant and original, that you understand the context and current scenario in the field, have the appropriate resources to conduct the research, and that the research is feasible given the usual constraints.  

This article will describe in detail the purpose and typical structure of a research proposal , along with examples and templates to help you ace this step in your research journey.  

What is a Research Proposal ?  

A research proposal¹ ,²  can be defined as a formal report that describes your proposed research, its objectives, methodology, implications, and other important details. Research proposals are the framework of your research and are used to obtain approvals or grants to conduct the study from various committees or organizations. Consequently, research proposals should convince readers of your study’s credibility, accuracy, achievability, practicality, and reproducibility.   

With research proposals , researchers usually aim to persuade the readers, funding agencies, educational institutions, and supervisors to approve the proposal. To achieve this, the report should be well structured with the objectives written in clear, understandable language devoid of jargon. A well-organized research proposal conveys to the readers or evaluators that the writer has thought out the research plan meticulously and has the resources to ensure timely completion.  

Purpose of Research Proposals  

A research proposal is a sales pitch and therefore should be detailed enough to convince your readers, who could be supervisors, ethics committees, universities, etc., that what you’re proposing has merit and is feasible . Research proposals can help students discuss their dissertation with their faculty or fulfill course requirements and also help researchers obtain funding. A well-structured proposal instills confidence among readers about your ability to conduct and complete the study as proposed.  

Research proposals can be written for several reasons:³  

• To describe the importance of research in the specific topic  
• Address any potential challenges you may encounter  
• Showcase knowledge in the field and your ability to conduct a study  
• Apply for a role at a research institute  
• Convince a research supervisor or university that your research can satisfy the requirements of a degree program  
• Highlight the importance of your research to organizations that may sponsor your project  
• Identify implications of your project and how it can benefit the audience  

What Goes in a Research Proposal?    

Research proposals should aim to answer the three basic questions—what, why, and how.  

The What question should be answered by describing the specific subject being researched. It should typically include the objectives, the cohort details, and the location or setting.  

The Why question should be answered by describing the existing scenario of the subject, listing unanswered questions, identifying gaps in the existing research, and describing how your study can address these gaps, along with the implications and significance.  

The How question should be answered by describing the proposed research methodology, data analysis tools expected to be used, and other details to describe your proposed methodology.   

Research Proposal Example  

Here is a research proposal sample template (with examples) from the University of Rochester Medical Center. 4 The sections in all research proposals are essentially the same although different terminology and other specific sections may be used depending on the subject.  

Structure of a Research Proposal  

If you want to know how to make a research proposal impactful, include the following components:¹  

1. Introduction  

This section provides a background of the study, including the research topic, what is already known about it and the gaps, and the significance of the proposed research.  

2. Literature review  

This section contains descriptions of all the previous relevant studies pertaining to the research topic. Every study cited should be described in a few sentences, starting with the general studies to the more specific ones. This section builds on the understanding gained by readers in the Introduction section and supports it by citing relevant prior literature, indicating to readers that you have thoroughly researched your subject.  

3. Objectives  

Once the background and gaps in the research topic have been established, authors must now state the aims of the research clearly. Hypotheses should be mentioned here. This section further helps readers understand what your study’s specific goals are.  

4. Research design and methodology  

Here, authors should clearly describe the methods they intend to use to achieve their proposed objectives. Important components of this section include the population and sample size, data collection and analysis methods and duration, statistical analysis software, measures to avoid bias (randomization, blinding), etc.  

5. Ethical considerations  

This refers to the protection of participants’ rights, such as the right to privacy, right to confidentiality, etc. Researchers need to obtain informed consent and institutional review approval by the required authorities and mention this clearly for transparency.  

6. Budget/funding  

Researchers should prepare their budget and include all expected expenditures. An additional allowance for contingencies such as delays should also be factored in.  

7. Appendices  

This section typically includes information that supports the research proposal and may include informed consent forms, questionnaires, participant information, measurement tools, etc.  

8. Citations  

Important Tips for Writing a Research Proposal  

Writing a research proposal begins much before the actual task of writing. Planning the research proposal structure and content is an important stage, which if done efficiently, can help you seamlessly transition into the writing stage. 3,5  

The Planning Stage  

• Manage your time efficiently. Plan to have the draft version ready at least two weeks before your deadline and the final version at least two to three days before the deadline.
• What is the primary objective of your research?  
• Will your research address any existing gap?  
• What is the impact of your proposed research?  
• Do people outside your field find your research applicable in other areas?  
• If your research is unsuccessful, would there still be other useful research outcomes?  

  The Writing Stage  

• Create an outline with main section headings that are typically used.  
• Focus only on writing and getting your points across without worrying about the format of the research proposal , grammar, punctuation, etc. These can be fixed during the subsequent passes. Add details to each section heading you created in the beginning.   
• Ensure your sentences are concise and use plain language. A research proposal usually contains about 2,000 to 4,000 words or four to seven pages.  
• Don’t use too many technical terms and abbreviations assuming that the readers would know them. Define the abbreviations and technical terms.  
• Ensure that the entire content is readable. Avoid using long paragraphs because they affect the continuity in reading. Break them into shorter paragraphs and introduce some white space for readability.  
• Focus on only the major research issues and cite sources accordingly. Don’t include generic information or their sources in the literature review.  
• Proofread your final document to ensure there are no grammatical errors so readers can enjoy a seamless, uninterrupted read.  
• Use academic, scholarly language because it brings formality into a document.  
• Ensure that your title is created using the keywords in the document and is neither too long and specific nor too short and general.  
• Cite all sources appropriately to avoid plagiarism.  
• Make sure that you follow guidelines, if provided. This includes rules as simple as using a specific font or a hyphen or en dash between numerical ranges.  
• Ensure that you’ve answered all questions requested by the evaluating authority.  

Key Takeaways   

Here’s a summary of the main points about research proposals discussed in the previous sections:  

• A research proposal is a document that outlines the details of a proposed study and is created by researchers to submit to evaluators who could be research institutions, universities, faculty, etc.  
• Research proposals are usually about 2,000-4,000 words long, but this depends on the evaluating authority’s guidelines.  
• A good research proposal ensures that you’ve done your background research and assessed the feasibility of the research.  
• Research proposals have the following main sections—introduction, literature review, objectives, methodology, ethical considerations, and budget.  

Frequently Asked Questions  

Q1. How is a research proposal evaluated?  

A1. In general, most evaluators, including universities, broadly use the following criteria to evaluate research proposals . 6  

• Significance —Does the research address any important subject or issue, which may or may not be specific to the evaluator or university?  
• Content and design —Is the proposed methodology appropriate to answer the research question? Are the objectives clear and well aligned with the proposed methodology?  
• Sample size and selection —Is the target population or cohort size clearly mentioned? Is the sampling process used to select participants randomized, appropriate, and free of bias?  
• Timing —Are the proposed data collection dates mentioned clearly? Is the project feasible given the specified resources and timeline?  
• Data management and dissemination —Who will have access to the data? What is the plan for data analysis?  

Q2. What is the difference between the Introduction and Literature Review sections in a research proposal ?  

A2. The Introduction or Background section in a research proposal sets the context of the study by describing the current scenario of the subject and identifying the gaps and need for the research. A Literature Review, on the other hand, provides references to all prior relevant literature to help corroborate the gaps identified and the research need.  

Q3. How long should a research proposal be?  

A3. Research proposal lengths vary with the evaluating authority like universities or committees and also the subject. Here’s a table that lists the typical research proposal lengths for a few universities.  

Q4. What are the common mistakes to avoid in a research proposal ?  

A4. Here are a few common mistakes that you must avoid while writing a research proposal . 7  

• No clear objectives: Objectives should be clear, specific, and measurable for the easy understanding among readers.  
• Incomplete or unconvincing background research: Background research usually includes a review of the current scenario of the particular industry and also a review of the previous literature on the subject. This helps readers understand your reasons for undertaking this research because you identified gaps in the existing research.  
• Overlooking project feasibility: The project scope and estimates should be realistic considering the resources and time available.   
• Neglecting the impact and significance of the study: In a research proposal , readers and evaluators look for the implications or significance of your research and how it contributes to the existing research. This information should always be included.  
• Unstructured format of a research proposal : A well-structured document gives confidence to evaluators that you have read the guidelines carefully and are well organized in your approach, consequently affirming that you will be able to undertake the research as mentioned in your proposal.  
• Ineffective writing style: The language used should be formal and grammatically correct. If required, editors could be consulted, including AI-based tools such as Paperpal , to refine the research proposal structure and language.  

Thus, a research proposal is an essential document that can help you promote your research and secure funds and grants for conducting your research. Consequently, it should be well written in clear language and include all essential details to convince the evaluators of your ability to conduct the research as proposed.  

This article has described all the important components of a research proposal and has also provided tips to improve your writing style. We hope all these tips will help you write a well-structured research proposal to ensure receipt of grants or any other purpose.  

References  

• Sudheesh K, Duggappa DR, Nethra SS. How to write a research proposal? Indian J Anaesth. 2016;60(9):631-634. Accessed July 15, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5037942/  
• Writing research proposals. Harvard College Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. Harvard University. Accessed July 14, 2024. https://uraf.harvard.edu/apply-opportunities/app-components/essays/research-proposals  
• What is a research proposal? Plus how to write one. Indeed website. Accessed July 17, 2024. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/research-proposal  
• Research proposal template. University of Rochester Medical Center. Accessed July 16, 2024. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/MediaLibraries/URMCMedia/pediatrics/research/documents/Research-proposal-Template.pdf  
• Tips for successful proposal writing. Johns Hopkins University. Accessed July 17, 2024. https://research.jhu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Tips-for-Successful-Proposal-Writing.pdf  
• Formal review of research proposals. Cornell University. Accessed July 18, 2024. https://irp.dpb.cornell.edu/surveys/survey-assessment-review-group/research-proposals  
• 7 Mistakes you must avoid in your research proposal. Aveksana (via LinkedIn). Accessed July 17, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/7-mistakes-you-must-avoid-your-research-proposal-aveksana-cmtwf/  

Paperpal is a comprehensive AI writing toolkit that helps students and researchers achieve 2x the writing in half the time. It leverages 21+ years of STM experience and insights from millions of research articles to provide in-depth academic writing, language editing, and submission readiness support to help you write better, faster.  

Get accurate academic translations, rewriting support, grammar checks, vocabulary suggestions, and generative AI assistance that delivers human precision at machine speed. Try for free or upgrade to Paperpal Prime starting at US$19 a month to access premium features, including consistency, plagiarism, and 30+ submission readiness checks to help you succeed.  

Experience the future of academic writing – Sign up to Paperpal and start writing for free!  

Related Reads:

How to write a phd research proposal.

• What are the Benefits of Generative AI for Academic Writing?
• How to Avoid Plagiarism When Using Generative AI Tools
• What is Hedging in Academic Writing?  

How to Write Your Research Paper in APA Format

The future of academia: how ai tools are changing the way we do research, you may also like, dissertation printing and binding | types & comparison , what is a dissertation preface definition and examples , how to write your research paper in apa..., how to choose a dissertation topic, how to write an academic paragraph (step-by-step guide), maintaining academic integrity with paperpal’s generative ai writing..., research funding basics: what should a grant proposal..., how to write an abstract in research papers..., how to write dissertation acknowledgements.

Title Page Setup

A title page is required for all APA Style papers. There are both student and professional versions of the title page. Students should use the student version of the title page unless their instructor or institution has requested they use the professional version. APA provides a student title page guide (PDF, 199KB) to assist students in creating their title pages.

Student title page

The student title page includes the paper title, author names (the byline), author affiliation, course number and name for which the paper is being submitted, instructor name, assignment due date, and page number, as shown in this example.

Title page setup is covered in the seventh edition APA Style manuals in the Publication Manual Section 2.3 and the Concise Guide Section 1.6

Related handouts

• Student Title Page Guide (PDF, 263KB)
• Student Paper Setup Guide (PDF, 3MB)

Student papers do not include a running head unless requested by the instructor or institution.

Follow the guidelines described next to format each element of the student title page.

Professional title page

The professional title page includes the paper title, author names (the byline), author affiliation(s), author note, running head, and page number, as shown in the following example.

Follow the guidelines described next to format each element of the professional title page.

Action Plan: Effectiveness of Organization Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Introduction

Work breakdown structure (wbs), concepts to make the organization more effective.

The government spends billions of dollars on development every year, and thus, it needs a high-level action plan for the successful completion of public projects. The schema provides a clear direction and mandate for the execution of sustainable procurement and an outstanding framework for creating a comprehensible and well-coordinated approach, especially to development projects. An executive-level action plan is based on a desk study and findings of a status assessment report, social readiness for the mission, sustainable public procurement prioritization report, legal reviews, and feedback from the appropriate technical consultants. The essay examines the relationships between the elements of a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) to explain how organizations can use the concept to increase effectiveness.

The execution of one activity in the WBS leads to another. The structure starts with the identification of the problem or opportunity, which guides the program manager to the development of an achievable objective. The project leader creates the infrastructure needed to design and start up the mission. Three important factors considered during the initial stage include time, cost, and specification (Feldman, 2017). The project must have a tentative timeline indicating when particular elements, such as prototypes and progress reports, must be delivered. The projected cost of the initiative is also determined to avoid budgetary problems after commencement. Refining the scope of work is also essential at this level. Deliverables, at this level, include a project proposal or a business plan that defines the nature of the problem, goals, and objectives of the project (Lenzen et al., 2017). Next, the project manager leads the team in identifying project initiatives, constructing a workflow, preparing a project proposal, and approximating the resource requirements (Zecheru & Olaru, 2016). Project execution involves the selection of a dynamic team and the allocation of the necessary resources for the project.

The step goes together with project monitoring and control in line with the plan. In case the project does not meet the anticipated results, project planning is started again to brainstorm new ideas and seek alternative implementation strategies (Lenzen et al., 2017). The last step of the WBS is project close-out and evaluation, which involves creating a rollout plan before compiling a final report.

The concepts presented in the above action plan can be effectively integrated into an implementation strategy for the realization of a successful project by adhering to numerous fundamental steps. From a program manager’s perspective, the holistic integration is critical for ensuring that all the project activities progress collectively, considering any dynamics that can arise in due course (Lenzen et al., 2017). Thus, the organization should develop a project charter, scope statement, and plan to direct, manage, monitor, and control any unforeseen changes. The program manager should also define the scope and time of the overall activity. Government contracting projects need to have elaborate parameters, which must be broken down and managed using a WBS (Q Visible, 2012). They should also have a definite schedule, showing the start and end of the planned development. Since projects consume resources, there is a need to manage the investment to create value by ensuring that the resulting benefits exceed the amount spent.

An executive action plan is an inevitable tool for defining the integration of processes, project scope, time and cost management, maintenance of quality throughout its lifecycle, staffing, and management of risks in line with government procurement and acquisition policies. Project managers need to use this schema to increase effectiveness, ensure professionally responsible and sustainable procurement and emphasize the government’s role to lead by example.

Feldman, S. W. (2017). does government contracting have a remedies problem-a response to Eric M. Singer, competitive public contracts. Nev. LJF , 2 , 13.

Lenzen, S. A., Daniëls, R., van Bokhoven, M. A., van der Weijden, T., & Beurskens, A. (2017). Disentangling self-management goal setting and action planning: A scoping review. PloS one , 12 (11), e0188822.

Q Visible. (2012). Project network diagrams – project management . YouTube.

Zecheru, V., & Olaru, B. G. (2016). Work breakdown structure (WBS) in project management. Review of International Comparative Management/Revista de Management Comparat International , 17 (1), 61-69.

• The Factors That Affect Project Management
• Cultural Considerations in Strategy Development
• Nursing Informatics: Relational Schema
• Gender-Schema and Social Cognitive Theory in Parenting Styles
• Experimental Studies on Williams Syndrome Disease
• Global Expansion and Competition
• KARLEE: Managing for Quality and Performance Excellence
• The Leadership Challenge Overview
• Kpis for Operations Managers
• Eight Dimensions of Organizational Capacity for Change
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2022, June 7). Action Plan: Effectiveness of Organization. https://ivypanda.com/essays/action-plan-effectiveness-of-organization/

"Action Plan: Effectiveness of Organization." IvyPanda , 7 June 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/action-plan-effectiveness-of-organization/.

IvyPanda . (2022) 'Action Plan: Effectiveness of Organization'. 7 June.

IvyPanda . 2022. "Action Plan: Effectiveness of Organization." June 7, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/action-plan-effectiveness-of-organization/.

1. IvyPanda . "Action Plan: Effectiveness of Organization." June 7, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/action-plan-effectiveness-of-organization/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Action Plan: Effectiveness of Organization." June 7, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/action-plan-effectiveness-of-organization/.

Attacks on Walz’s Military Record

By Robert Farley , D'Angelo Gore and Eugene Kiely

Posted on August 8, 2024 | Updated on August 12, 2024 | Corrected on August 9, 2024

In introducing her pick for vice presidential running mate, Kamala Harris has prominently touted Tim Walz’s 24 years of service in the Army National Guard. Now, however, GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance and the Trump campaign are attacking Walz on his military record, accusing the Minnesota governor of “stolen valor.”

We’ll sort through the facts surrounding the three main attacks on Walz’s military record and let readers decide their merit. The claims include:

• Vance claimed that Walz “dropped out” of the National Guard when he learned his battalion was slated to be deployed to Iraq. Walz retired to focus on a run for Congress two months before his unit got official word of impending deployment, though the possibility had been rumored for months.
• Vance also accused Walz of having once claimed to have served in combat, when he did not. While advocating a ban on assault-style weapons, Walz said, “We can make sure that those weapons of war that I carried in war, is the only place where those weapons are at.” Update, Aug. 12: The Harris campaign says that Walz “misspoke.”
• The Republican National Committee has criticized Walz for misrepresenting his military rank in campaign materials. The Harris campaign website salutes Walz for “rising to the rank of Command Sergeant Major.” Walz did rise to that rank, but he retired as a master sergeant because he had not completed the requirements of a command sergeant major.

A native of West Point, Nebraska, Walz joined the Nebraska Army National Guard in April 1981, two days after his 17th birthday. When Walz and his wife moved to Minnesota in 1996, he transferred to the Minnesota National Guard, where he served in 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery.

“While serving in Minnesota, his military occupational specialties were 13B – a cannon crewmember who operates and maintains cannons and 13Z -field artillery senior sergeant,” according to a statement released by Army Lt. Col. Kristen Augé, the Minnesota National Guard’s state public affairs officer.

According to MPR News , Walz suffered some hearing impairment related to exposure to cannon booms during training over the years, and he underwent some corrective surgery to address it.

On Aug. 3, 2003, “Walz mobilized with the Minnesota National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery … to support Operation Enduring Freedom. The battalion supported security missions at various locations in Europe and Turkey. Governor Walz was stationed at Vicenza, Italy, during his deployment,” Augé stated. The deployment lasted about eight months.

“For 24 years I proudly wore the uniform of this nation,” Walz said at a rally in Philadelphia where he was announced as Harris’ running mate on Aug. 6. “The National Guard gave me purpose. It gave me the strength of a shared commitment to something greater than ourselves.”

Walz’s Retirement from the National Guard

In recent years, however, several of his fellow guard members have taken issue with the timing of Walz’s retirement from the National Guard in May 2005, claiming he left to avoid a deployment to Iraq.

Vance, who served a four-year active duty enlistment in the Marine Corps as a combat correspondent, serving in Iraq for six months in 2005, advanced that argument at a campaign event on Aug. 7.

“When the United States of America asked me to go to Iraq to serve my country, I did it,” Vance said. “When Tim Walz was asked by his country to go to Iraq, you know what he did? He dropped out of the Army and allowed his unit to go without him, a fact that he’s been criticized for aggressively by a lot of the people that he served with. I think it’s shameful to prepare your unit to go to Iraq, to make a promise that you’re going to follow through and then to drop out right before you actually have to go.”

In early 2005, Walz, then a high school geography teacher and football coach at Mankato West High School, decided to run for public office. In a 2009 interview Walz provided as part of the Library of Congress’ veterans oral history project, Walz said he made the decision to retire from the National Guard to “focus full time” on a run for the U.S. House of Representatives for Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District (which he ultimately won in 2006). Walz said he was “really concerned” about trying to seek public office and serve in the National Guard at the same time without running afoul of the Hatch Act , which limits political speech by federal employees, including members of the National Guard.

Federal Election Commission records show that Walz filed to run for Congress on Feb. 10, 2005.

On March 20, 2005, Walz’s campaign put out a press release titled “Walz Still Planning to Run for Congress Despite Possible Call to Duty in Iraq.”

Three days prior, the release said, “the National Guard Public Affairs Office announced a possible partial mobilization of roughly 2,000 troops from the Minnesota National Guard. … The announcement from the National Guard PAO specified that all or a portion of Walz’s battalion could be mobilized to serve in Iraq within the next two years.”

According to the release, “When asked about his possible deployment to Iraq Walz said, ‘I do not yet know if my artillery unit will be part of this mobilization and I am unable to comment further on specifics of the deployment.’ Although his tour of duty in Iraq might coincide with his campaign for Minnesota’s 1st Congressional seat, Walz is determined to stay in the race. ‘As Command Sergeant Major I have a responsibility not only to ready my battalion for Iraq, but also to serve if called on. I am dedicated to serving my country to the best of my ability, whether that is in Washington DC or in Iraq.'”

On March 23, 2005, the Pipestone County Star reported, “Detachments of the Minnesota National Guard have been ‘alerted’ of possible deployment to Iraq in mid-to-late 2006.”

“Major Kevin Olson of the Minnesota National Guard said a brigade-sized contingent of soldiers could be expected to be called to Iraq, but he was not, at this time, aware of which batteries would be called,” the story said. “All soldiers in the First Brigade combat team of the 34th Division, Minnesota National Guard, could be eligible for call-up. ‘We don’t know yet what the force is like’ he said. ‘It’s too early to speculate, if the (soldiers) do go.’

“He added: ‘We will have a major announcement if and when the alert order moves ahead.’”

ABC News spoke to Joseph Eustice, a retired command sergeant major who served with Walz, and he told the news organization this week that “he remembers Walz struggling with the timing of wanting to serve as a lawmaker but also avoiding asking for a deferment so he could do so.”

“He had a window of time,” Eustice told ABC News. “He had to decide. And in his deciding, we were not on notice to be deployed. There were rumors. There were lots of rumors, and we didn’t know where we were going until it was later that, early summer, I believe.”

Al Bonnifield, who served under Walz, also recalled Walz agonizing over the decision.

“It was a very long conversation behind closed doors,” Bonnifield told the Washington Post this week. “He was trying to decide where he could do better for soldiers, for veterans, for the country. He weighed that for a long time.”

In 2018, Bonnifield told MPR News that Walz worried in early 2005, “Would the soldier look down on him because he didn’t go with us? Would the common soldier say, ‘Hey, he didn’t go with us, he’s trying to skip out on a deployment?’ And he wasn’t. He talked with us for quite a while on that subject. He weighed that decision to run for Congress very heavy. He loved the military, he loved the guard, he loved the soldiers he worked with.”

But not all of Walz’s fellow Guard members felt that way.

In a paid letter to the West Central Tribune in Minnesota in November 2018, Thomas Behrends and Paul Herr — both retired command sergeants major in the Minnesota National Guard — wrote, “On May 16th, 2005 he [Walz] quit, leaving the 1-125th Field Artillery Battalion and its Soldiers hanging; without its senior Non-Commissioned Officer, as the battalion prepared for war. His excuse to other leaders was that he needed to retire in order to run for congress. Which is false, according to a Department of Defense Directive, he could have run and requested permission from the Secretary of Defense before entering active duty; as many reservists have.”

“For Tim Walz to abandon his fellow soldiers and quit when they needed experienced leadership most is disheartening,” they wrote. “When the nation called, he quit.”

Walz retired on May 16, 2005. Walz’s brigade received alert orders for mobilization on July 14, 2005, according to the National Guard and MPR News . The official mobilization report came the following month, and the unit mobilized and trained through the fall. It was finally deployed to Iraq in the spring of 2006.

The unit was originally scheduled to return in February 2007, but its tour was extended four months as part of President George W. Bush’s “surge” strategy , the National Guard reported. In all, the soldiers were mobilized for 22 months.

Responding to Vance’s claim that Walz retired to avoid deploying to Iraq, the Harris-Walz campaign released a statement saying, “After 24 years of military service, Governor Walz retired in 2005 and ran for Congress, where he was a tireless advocate for our men and women in uniform – and as Vice President of the United States he will continue to be a relentless champion for our veterans and military families.”

Walz on Carrying a Weapon ‘in War’

Vance also called Walz “dishonest” for a claim that Walz made in 2018 while speaking to a group about gun control.

“He made this interesting comment that the Kamala Harris campaign put out there,” Vance said, referring to a video of Walz that the Harris campaign posted to X on Aug. 6. “He said, ‘We shouldn’t allow weapons that I used in war to be on America’s streets.’ Well, I wonder, Tim Walz, when were you ever in war? What was this weapon that you carried into war given that you abandoned your unit right before they went to Iraq and he has not spent a day in a combat zone.”

In the video , Walz, who was campaigning for governor at the time, talked about pushing back on the National Rifle Association and said: “I spent 25 years in the Army and I hunt. … I’ve been voting for common sense legislation that protects the Second Amendment, but we can do background checks. We can do [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] research. We can make sure we don’t have reciprocal carry among states. And we can make sure that those weapons of war that I carried in war, is the only place where those weapons are at.”

But, as Vance indicated, there is no evidence that Walz carried a weapon “in war.”

Update, Aug. 12: In an Aug. 10 statement to CNN, the Harris campaign told CNN that Walz “misspoke.”

“In making the case for why weapons of war should never be on our streets or in our classrooms, the Governor misspoke,” campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt said in the statement. “He did handle weapons of war and believes strongly that only military members trained to carry those deadly weapons should have access to them.”

As we said, Augé, in her statement, said Walz’s battalion deployed “to support Operation Enduring Freedom” on Aug. 3, 2003, and “supported security missions at various locations in Europe and Turkey.” During his deployment, Walz was stationed in Vicenza, Italy, and he returned to Minnesota in April 2004, Augé said. There was no mention of Walz serving in Afghanistan, Iraq or another combat zone.

In the 2009 interview for the veterans history project, Walz said he and members of his battalion initially thought they would “shoot artillery in Afghanistan,” as they had trained to do. That didn’t happen, he said, explaining that his group ended up helping with security and training while stationed at an Army base in Vicenza.

“I think in the beginning, many of my troops were disappointed,” Walz said in the interview. “I think they felt a little guilty, many of them, that they weren’t in the fight up front as this was happening.”

In an Aug. 8 statement addressing his claim about carrying weapons “in war,” the Harris campaign noted that Walz, whose military occupational specialties included field artillery senior sergeant, “fired and trained others to use weapons of war innumerable times” in his 24 years of service.

Walz’s National Guard Rank

The Republican National Committee has criticized Walz for saying “in campaign materials that he is a former ‘Command Sergeant Major’ in the Army National Guard despite not completing the requirements to hold the rank into retirement.”

Walz’s biography on the Harris campaign website correctly says that the governor “served for 24 years” in the National Guard, “rising to the rank of Command Sergeant Major.” 

Walz’s official biography on the Minnesota state website goes further, referring to the governor as “Command Sergeant Major Walz.”

“After 24 years in the Army National Guard, Command Sergeant Major Walz retired from the 1-125th Field Artillery Battalion in 2005,” the state website says. 

Walz did serve as command sergeant major , but Walz did not complete the requirements to retire with the rank of command sergeant, Augé told us in an email. 

“He held multiple positions within field artillery such as firing battery chief, operations sergeant, first sergeant, and culminated his career serving as the command sergeant major for the battalion,” Augé said. “He retired as a master sergeant in 2005 for benefit purposes because he did not complete additional coursework at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy.”

This isn’t the first time that Walz’s National Guard rank has come up in a campaign. 

In their 2018 paid letter to the West Central Tribune, when Walz was running for governor, the two Minnesota National Guard retired command sergeants major who criticized Walz for retiring before the Iraq deployment also wrote: “Yes, he served at that rank, but was never qualified at that rank, and will receive retirement benefits at one rank below. You be the judge.”

Correction, Aug. 9: We mistakenly said a 2007 “surge” strategy in Iraq occurred under President Barack Obama. It was President George W. Bush.

Editor’s note: In the interest of full disclosure, Harris campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt was an undergraduate intern at FactCheck.org from 2010 to 2011.

Editor’s note: FactCheck.org does not accept advertising. We rely on grants and individual donations from people like you. Please consider a donation. Credit card donations may be made through  our “Donate” page . If you prefer to give by check, send to: FactCheck.org, Annenberg Public Policy Center, 202 S. 36th St., Philadelphia, PA 19104. 

Filing a complaint

If you have concerns about the quality of your care or other services, you can file a complaint (also called a "grievance").

Should I file a complaint or an appeal?

File a complaint if:

• You have a problem with the quality of the care you got or are getting
• You have a problem with how you’re being treated by your plans

File an appeal if:

• You have an issue with a plans’ refusal to cover a service, supply, or prescription.
• You got a bill for a claim you already submitted.
• Learn more about appeals.

How do I file a complaint?

Can I file a complaint anonymously?

Yes, you can file a complaint anonymously. The method for filing a complaint anonymously will also depend on what type of complaint you are filing, so refer to the contacts above for more information.

Can I get help filing a complaint?

• State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): Visit shiphelp.org to get the phone number for your local SHIP and get free, personalized health insurance counseling. SHIPs are state programs that get money from the federal government to give free local health insurance counseling to people with Medicare.
• Medicare: You can also contact us for help. Talk or live chat with a real person , 24 hours a day, 7 days week (except some federal holidays) by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
• Representative: If you have a family member or friend helping you with a complaint, you can appoint them as a representative. How do I appoint a representative?

Switch language:

Scotland’s Railway reveals climate action plan

The plan was published under Scotland’s Railway partnership and details the action that will be taken to reduce emissions.

• Share on Linkedin
• Share on Facebook

Network Rail and ScotRail have unveiled a five-year climate action plan for the railway network in Scotland that aims to reduce emissions and protect the country’s rail lines from the effects of climate change.

The plan, published under Scotland’s Railway partnership, details five “priority areas” for the network, including environmental management, biodiversity, social value, and climate readiness. 

Go deeper with GlobalData

Cloud in Railway: Centralised train control system

Environmental sustainability in railway: electric locomotives, data insights.

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

Network rail ltd.

The two organisations also focused on net zero in the plan, detailing their ambition to reach net zero across the network’s total footprint by 2045, and across its scope 1 and 2 emissions, operations under its direct control, by 2030. 

Liam Sumpter, managing director of Network Rail Scotland, said the network was already feeling the impact of climate change, he said: “Extreme weather is impacting passengers, freight customers and communities more frequently than ever. 

“We’ve developed this plan for the next five years, aiming to serve Scotland – now and in the future – with a greener, more resilient and responsible railway.” 

The plan highlighted that weather in Scotland has become warmer and more frequently extreme with the average annual temperature increasing by around 0.8 degrees Celsius and average rainfall increasing by more than 100mm a year, compared to the 20 th century. 

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

As a result, the report states that around £109m has been paid out by Network Rail to cover disruptions from track closures due to high winds, flooding and snow in Scotland since 2006, providing an additional cost benefit to improving climate resilience on the network.

The issue of climate disruption was notably highlighted earlier this year when ScotRail temporarily suspended all of its services after multiple severe storms hit the country in January and damaged or blocked infrastructure across the network.

Actions outlined by Network Rail to protect the railway included training staff to make better decisions on network resilience, continuing asset renewal and refurbishment programmes, and developing “adaptation pathways” to understand the long-term climate investment needed for the railway. 

Scotland’s Railway said the adaptation pathway plans will be published by 2027 for sections of the network deemed to be most susceptible to the impacts of climate change and need a “more transformational approach” to improving resilience.

The partnership’s plan highlighted the need to reduce the network’s own environmental impact. It said ScotRail would achieve its emissions targets both directly through actions such as improving energy efficiency and indirectly by capturing emissions through biodiversity and offsetting schemes. 

Joanne Maguire, managing director of ScotRail, said: “Taking climate action is one of our priorities and we’re making great progress through the decarbonisation of the network, identifying ways to eliminate fossil fuel use, increasing energy efficiency, and deploying renewable energy sources in our buildings.” 

The plan echoes commitments made by Network Rail in its five-year plan for the entire UK rail network during Control Period 7, where it described climate change as the “biggest challenge” facing the organisation.

Sign up for our daily news round-up!

Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights. 

More Relevant

Network Rail invests £1.3bn into Scotland’s rail infrastructure

India’s rail expansion continues under pm modi’s watchful eye, asian development bank to support philippines rail projects, boston to introduce first battery-electric trains to commuter rail line.

Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights.

Sign up to the newsletter: In Brief

Your corporate email address, i would also like to subscribe to:.

Railway Technology In Brief

Future Rail : Railway Technology Focus (monthly)

I consent to Verdict Media Limited collecting my details provided via this form in accordance with Privacy Policy

Thank you for subscribing

View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network.