ACTION PLAN
DEVELOPMENT
Nontraditional Employment & Training Program
Center for Women in Government & Civil Society
University at Albany
State University of New York
Developing Your Action Plan
Vision
Goal Statement
Evaluation
Objectives
Mission
Objective 1
Objective 2
Objective 3
Outputs &
Outcomes
Operating
Values
Activities
Activities
Activities
Process &
Outcome
Indicators
Tasks
Tasks
Tasks
Timeline
Timeline
Timeline
Evaluation
Strategies
Developing the Goal Statement
Developing the Goal:
A statement of What Will Be Accomplished
Broad, Global, Overarching Program Purpose
Identifies 2 Items:
◦ The Audience
◦ The Situation or Behavior You Want to Change
SAMPLE GOAL
To increase the numbers of practicing female computer
engineers
Developing the Objectives
S
M
A
R
T
SPECIFIC
MEASURABLE
ATTAINABLE
REALISTIC
TIMED
Details
exactly what
needs to be
done.
Thoroughly
defines the
goal.
Provides a
checkpoint for
when tasks are
achieved. Gives
specific
feedback and
creates
accountability.
The tasks
assigned
should be able
to be
completed
and any
obstacles are
addressed.
There is
enough
resources
available to
achieve the
goal.
The timeline of
when tasks
need to be
completed and
when the goal
must be
achieved is
clearly stated
and is tangible.
Developing an Effective Objective
Goal/The Ideal/Desired State of Affairs/Result Area
Ex. To Increase the number of female computer engineers
Measurement
Indicators
Quantifiable parts of
the project’s result
areas.
Ex. Increase graduation
rates.
Performance
Measures
How much,
how little is
considered success?
Ex. Increase current
number by 20%.
Timeframe
Amount of time
needed to reach
your performance
standards.
Ex. The increase
will occur within 2
years.
Cost
Funds needed to
achieve results.
Ex. At a cost of
$50,000
OBJECTIVE
Objective = To (action verb) and measurement indicator + performance
standard + timeframe + cost
Ex. To increase graduation rates of female students in computer engineering
by 20% in 2 years at the cost of $20,000
Developing the Activities
The HOW
Each Objective Has a Number of Activities
If Activities are Conducted Successfully, Objectives are Achieved
and Goal is Attained
Based on Actual Program Plan for Available Timeframe &
Resources
Check: Is Activity Necessary? Will it Work to Achieve Objective?
Responsibilities Fit Agency
Developing Activities Often Leads to Revising Objectives and Goal
Activities Will Be Further Broken Down into Very Specific Tasks
SAMPLE ACTIVITY:
Provide tutoring program targeting female students
Developing Effective Activities for Your Objectives
Objective: To increase graduation rates of female students in computer
engineering by 20% in 2 years
1. Describe
activities that
will meet this
objective
2. Test how
these activities
will help
achieve project
objectives and
how they are
interrelated to
overall goal.
Activity 1: .Provide
tutoring program
for female students
in computer
engineering
Activity 2:
Provide
mentoring
program for
female students
Outcome: Female students gain
confidence and resilience and are
more likely to complete program
Activity 3:
Provide
specific
seminars and
Activity 4: Provide
faculty training to
address issues of
unconscious bias
retreats
featuring
female
computer
engineers as
role models
Outcome: Trained faculty
are more equipped to
deliver gender sensitive
instructions and transcend
unconscious bias
Consistent with objective to increase the graduation rates of female students in
computer engineering
Consistent with goal to increase the number of female computer engineers
Creating a Timeline
•Your timeline shows when you will
accomplish each activity.
•Include a staffing plan of who will
implement each activity
•Often, drafting a timeline helps you revise
your activities and your objectives to fit the
timeframe of the grant.
•Check carefully that all activities are
reflected in the timeline.
Creating a Timeline
Goal
Objective 1:
Activity 1
Task 1.1.
Task 1.2.
Task 1.3
M1
M2
M3
M4
M5
M6
M7
M8
M9
M10
Program Evaluation
• Identifies consequences as well as
opportunities for modification and
improvement.
• Provides timely and constructive
information for decision making.
Determining How to Measure Program Success
Objectives
Process
Measures
Outcome
Measures
Measurement
Strategies
Measurable
statements
focused on
outcomes.
Measure process
efficiency and
accountability.
Are activities and
tasks being
conducted in a
timely manner
and within
budget?
How is the
project
progressing?
How are we
carrying out its
activities?
Measure outcome
effectiveness, i.e.
results.
Are goals and
objectives being
met? Is project
realizing the
impact and
meeting its
expectations?
What was
accomplished?
What difference
did it make?
Strategies and
methods that
will be used to
measure process
efficiency and
effectiveness in
achieving
impact.
Objective
Process Measures Impact Measures
To increase
graduation
rates of
female
students in
computer
engineering
by 20% in 2
years.
•
•
•
•
Formal Tutoring
Program
established
Mentors
Assigned
4 Seminars and 1
retreat held
15 faculty
members
trained.
•
•
Measurem
ent
Strategies
Survey of
students
participati
ng in
tutoring
program.
At least 50% of
tutored students
indicate that
program helped
increase self
efficacy and
confidence
At least 20% will Student
experience
grades.
improved GPA