Action Plans
There are two primary decision areas that pertain to projects: Accountability and Action Plans.Action Plans
Action Plans are an organized series of steps designed to achieve an objective. Action plans look at project components in a present-future tense, each project management:- Process Group: Project Initiation through Project Closure
- Knowledge Area: Project Communications Management through Project Time Management
- Tactical Plans: work packages that define in detail work tasks to be completed, i.e., Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
- Strategic Plans: high level reviews that address mission, vision and values of an organization
- Contingency Plans: proactive just-in-case using "what if scenarios", i.e., risk management plans using risk registers to address non-disaster events, i.e., theft, loss of business, change in suppliers, etc. These occurrences can be anticipated or expected.
- Business Continuity Plans: Policies and procedures put in place to address a disruption in service or operational functions
- Disaster Recovery Plans: reactive solutions that are proposed or alternatives that are reviewed in the event a catastrophic event occurs. These plans are much more intense in nature and address Black Swan events (i.e., tornadoes, floods, hurricanes and fires). Disaster is not planned for, but rather happens.
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To create an action plan:
- Consult previous lessons learned.
- Determine the required steps to meet your objective.
- Create a priority list by ranking using a scale, i.e., 1-10.
- Define resources (people, systems, equipment, facilities, and supplies).
- Set schedule to include milestones.