Ten Point Plan

Posted on August 20, 2013

Writing a simple plan for a project or campaign—even just a page or two makes for better execution.  Why?  The writing forces more careful thinking, allows for better coordination between team members, and memorializes our best thinking.  They also are helpful in getting approvals from the boss and other team members.

Respond to these ten points below (pausing as needed to reflect, or to carry out research or discussions with others), and you’ll be on your way to having a good plan.  Then you’ll have the confidence to commit to a delivery date on your One Page Business Plan.

We urge you to complete one of these to support every action plan on any one page plan, UNLESS:  Your project is almost complete, or if it’s so simple that writing it out isn’t necessary, or if you have a very detailed project plan already completed (with an executive summary that is sharable), or your boss tells you that it’s not needed. We’re not interested in wasting time, but rather deepening the thinking behind our most important projects, and being able to communicate them effectively.

1. Describe the project/campaign in general terms. (<200 words)
2. What is the purpose of the plan?  What are we trying to achieve?
3. Who will lead execution of the plan?  Who else will be on the team?
4. Why is it essential that we carry out this plan?  What is at stake if we do not?
5. List all of the activities that need to be executed to succeed in the plan, in rough chronological order.  Also list the key decisions that will need to be made, and when (things like price, location, selection of partners/vendors, product features, etc.) Also list all the things we decided we WILL NOT do (so we won’t have to debate them again).
6. What are the dependencies for this plan? List each person, departments, event or situation, or other thing upon which you will depend for the success of this plan.
7. What resources – both time and money – will be required to execute the plan?  Be specific as to timing as well.
8. What are the contingencies that might affect this plan? Certain things that if they do happen, or don’t happen, will change this plan?
9. How will we know that this plan has succeeded? What can we measure that will show the level of success, or lack thereof?
10. What are the biggest risks that are faced in executing this plan?

Download an editable Word version of the Ten Point Plan here…