1. Action Planning

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. “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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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