Action Planning

Check Model for Action Planning When planning, people either seem to come through or they don’t This model only works when used correctly, as it was intended Contains six different elements: Title/name Vision/desired objectives What Who By When Check Check Model for Action Planning

What Specific tasks to be done The tasks should be brainstormed separately Make sure they are listed in chronological order Have someone act as “coach”, reminding the group of things they might have forgotten Looking at the BIG PICTURE What

Who Assign responsibility to for each task to a specific person Tasks can be accomplished by more than one person – but only ONE person is ultimately responsible for getting it completed Tasks should be equally divided Take a risk and take on a task you might see as a challenge or out of your comfort zone Who

By When This is the date the task ABSOLUTELY must be completed This is the date that is must be done in order for the entire project to be a success This is not a “non-deadline” – don’t pad the date with extra days so you know you have some leeway Deadline – there is a reason it is called “dead” By When

“Comfort date” Date by which the team would LIKE the task completed but not the “by when” This is the date the group is targeting, NOT the “by when” The group and the person responsible for the task must all agree on this date and be comfortable with it If the task cannot be done on time, the team must communicate and reassign the responsibility Check

Every time your group meets, use the first few minutes to be “Check Time” Project manager should use the time to check on those people you have check dates coming up Check date conversations should look like the following: Is the task completed? Do you need help? How to Use It

How to Use It The answer to “is it completed” must always be YES or NO If yes, congratulate them and thank them If no, go onto the second question “do you need help” If they need help there are four common reasons why: Lack skill Lack knowledge Lack resources Forgot How to Use It

Forgot Most common reason people don’t do what they say they will Gently remind them of their commitment Remind them of the By When date and set a new check date for the very next day The team member must let the manager know when it is completed How to Use It

Lack Skill Sometimes people don’t know how to begin a task they take on If they do not have the skill to complete the task, team them or set a time when you or someone else will teach them Coach your team by helping them build skills Don’t just do the work yourself! How to Use It

How to Use It Lack Knowledge Sometimes people have the skill to do the task but are unsure of some of the key facts Ask them if there is anything they need to know in order to complete the task Take time to either get them the knowledge or connect them with someone who can help Don’t do the task yourself! How to Use It

How to Use It Lack Resources They could lack the time or money or some other resource preventing them from completing the task Figure out with them what resource is scarce Could require a collaborative effort to acquire the resources If time is the resource – they need to recommit or reassign the task How to Use It