Step 5: Make a Plan and Act

Community champions can help activate early wins and encourage participation.

Once you know what change you want to see and decide on a goal (see Step 4), the next step is to create a plan to make it happen. An action plan turns ideas into concrete steps and is created by the people who care about the issue and can help move it forward. It helps to begin with the desired change and decide on a goal that feels doable, useful, and meaningful for the people involved.

Break a big goal into small, manageable steps

The purpose of an action plan is to make the work clear and realistic. Each step should:

Describe what needs to be done
Name who is responsible
Include a timeline
List what is needed for success
Identify who needs to stay informed

A strong action plan answers questions like:

What small steps could help us reach our goal?
What are we going to try?
Who is responsible for each task?
When will changes be made?
What help or resources do we need?
Who needs to know about the work as it moves forward?

Considering a written policy or updating a current policy?

A written policy helps guide behavior and decisions by clearly stating expectations and procedures. It can be a useful strategy for creating and maintaining desired change. Policies can range from simple statements to more detailed documents but ultimately serve as a supportive framework. The Step 5a Worksheet provides a policy writing template and an example policy.

Keep the plan flexible

An action plan is a living tool. As the work begins, the plan should be revisited and updated. Adjusting the plan helps the change team stay focused on what is working and respond early to challenges or new opportunities.

Using the action plan during regular team check-ins supports follow-through and keeps the group moving forward.