Create an Action Plan
The Action Plan helps make the Dream a reality. Encourage project teams to make it as concrete and specific as they can.
Create an action plan based on the goals and projects selected during the Dream the Future process.
Developing a plan and timeline for the objective you have decided to work on will help you identify the steps required to accomplish the objective.
- Each action step should be concrete and measurable.
- Identify the people and resources needed to accomplish the objective.
- Develop a realistic time frame for accomplishing the objective.
- Avoid giving in to "scope creep." A team doesn't have to do everything, just what is necessary to accomplish its objectives.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the action steps.
Note: Additional information on creating Action Plans is available in Penn State Cooperative Extension's Choosing Our Direction Work Book 4 (PDF).
Sample Completed Project Action Plan
| Goal: We want more choices of broadband vendors or types of broadband. | ||||
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Objectives:
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Timeline: Four to six weeks — it's important to complete this project quickly because other projects depend on the results. | ||||
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Follow-up tasks: Although this task should be completed early in the Connecting Communities project, it may be useful to update the results each year. | ||||
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Tools: Connecting Communities Broadband Vendor Comparison Checklist | ||||
| Specific Actions | Team Member(s) | Target Date | Completed | |
| 1. | Project team meets and assigns tasks. | Team | 9/20 |  |
| 2. | Contact local phone company | Mary Gabsalot | 10/4 | |
| 3. | Contact local cable company | Don Watcher | 10/4 | |
| 4. | Contact local ISPs | Mike Knows | 10/4 | |
| 5. | Contact satellite broadband vendors (Wild Blue, AT&T) | Charlie Outback | 10/4 | |
| 6. | Search online for other vendors serving the community | Marion Finder | 10/4 | |
| 7. | Meet and discuss results | Team | 10/4 | |
| 8. | Report back to leadership team | Project leader | 10/11 | |
