A follow-up to “The Strategic Planning Cycle“
In my recent post on the Strategic Planning Cycle, a reader, Pervaiz Yaseeni, asked a vital question: “How do we develop an implementation action plan for a strategic plan based on SMART?”
It is a common pain point. Many strategies fail not because the vision is blurry, but because the execution plan is vague. A SMART objective tells you where you want to go; the Action Plan is the turn-by-turn navigation.
Here is how to bridge that gap.
1. The “Granularity” Rule
A SMART objective like “Increase market share by 15% by Q4” is still too big to “do.” To implement it, you must break it down into granular sub-tasks. Ask yourself: What are the three specific levers we must pull to hit that 15%? Those levers become the pillars of your action plan.
2. Map the “Who, What, and When”
For every SMART goal, create an Action Matrix. This moves the goal from a statement to a commitment. A successful matrix must define:
- The Task: A specific action verb (e.g., “Conduct 50 customer interviews”).
- The Owner: One single person accountable (shared ownership often leads to no ownership).
- The Resource: The budget, tech, or talent required.
- The Deadline: A firm date that aligns with the T (Time-bound) in your SMART goal.
3. Test for “Achievability”
The A in SMART is where most plans break. Before finalizing your action plan, conduct a “stress test.” Do your team members have the hours in the week to execute these new tasks alongside their daily operations? If the math doesn’t add up, you must re-prioritize or add resources.
4. Build in “Lead” and “Lag” Measures
- Lag Measures (The SMART Goal): Revenue, market share, or units sold. You see these after the work is done.
- Lead Measures (The Action Plan): Number of sales calls made or ads launched.
Your implementation plan should focus on tracking Lead Measures. If you hit your lead measures consistently, the SMART goal (the lag measure) usually takes care of itself.
5. The Review Rhythm
Strategy is a cycle, not a straight line. Implementation plans require a Monthly Course Correction. Use your measurable data to see if the plan is working. If the actions aren’t moving the metrics, don’t change the goal—change the action plan.
Summary for Execution:
An implementation plan is simply the SMART framework in motion. By assigning clear accountability and tracking the small actions that lead to big results, you ensure your strategy becomes a reality rather than just a document on a shelf.
What is the biggest challenge your team faces when moving from planning to execution? Let’s discuss in the comments.