Action Planning
Our best-laid plans are useless unless implementation and tracking are an integral part of the process. Farnsworth Consulting can provide the structure and impetus to take a broad-brushed plan and create a detailed how-to for your company. The action planning process typically follows a strategic planning process, but it can also be used independently to develop a workplan for a specific unit or project.

Goals/Objectives
If goals and objectives already exist for the company or business unit, then the action plan team will simply review and assure consensus regarding the use of these measurements. If these guides do not exist, the first step in developing an action plan is to assure there are goals and measurable objectives in place. This is typically done in a small planning session with the head of the organization and key staff.

Baseline Information
Measurable objectives often depend upon data collection and measurement for which the organization may not currently have a mechanism. Assuring baseline data exists and gathering this data for each objective is the first step.

Action Plan Development
The action plan is developed in a group meeting which includes all those individuals which may be assigned responsibility for achieving a specific objective. Each objective is reviewed, appropriate action is brainstormed, responsible personnel (both lead and others) are assigned, and a timeline for achievement is established. It is expected that while all necessary staff may attend, the upper management/head of the company will take the lead in making appropriate assignments.

Implementation
It is critical that the implementation of the action plan be guided by regular and ongoing status reports. On an ongoing basis, Farnsworth Consulting can provide the necessary focus on the action plan, assisting staff in problem solving as issues arise, and assuring the plan moves forward (as opposed to collecting dust). An external watchdog is particularly important at this stage due to the multiple pressures and priorities vying for a company's attention. Typically this process is managed through monthly status meetings with the consultant taking place over one year.