Action Plan Worksheet

This worksheet consists of 7 steps, and is an opportunity for you to get your thoughts down
on paper and organize them. It does not have to be perfect. You are encouraged to print out
2-3 copies of this worksheet; jot down what comes to mind with each question, scratch it
out as new ideas develop, and add or start again as necessary. An example of a completed
Action Plan worksheet is in the tools and templates section of DreamBuilder.

When organizing your thoughts on opening or expanding your business, it is best to start
with the end in mind. Think about your motives and what you want to accomplish with your
business in both the short and long-term. Answer the questions in the next seven sections to
start narrowing your idea into a concrete action plan.

Step 1: Write Your Objectives for Starting or Expanding Your

Business
What do you want to accomplish by starting or expanding your business? List at least 3 of
your objectives.

Your Objectives for Starting or Expanding Your Business

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Step 2: Brainstorm How to Accomplish Your Objectives
After considering your objectives in starting or expanding your business, now begin to
brainstorm what you will need to do to accomplish the objectives identified in the previous
section. In this section, it is especially important to write down everything that comes to
mind. Begin to think about when you will be able to accomplish these objectives.

Brainstorm How to Accomplish Your Objectives

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Step 3: Create Your “SMART” Goals

The brainstorming that you did in Step 2 will be the foundation for creating concise and
achievable goals. Revisit Step 2 and refine what you wrote down into “SMART” goals.
Remember, “SMART” goals should be specific, measurable, actionable, relevant, and time-
bound:

- A specific goal makes it clear that you know exactly what you want to do.
- A measurable goal means that you will know when you have achieved the goal.
- An actionable goal means that you are able to do what it takes to achieve the goal.
- A relevant goal means that it is the right goal for your situation.
- A time-bound goal means that you have set a completion date by which you will
achieve the goal.

e.g.
General Goal: I want my bakery to sell a lot of brownies.

“SMART” Goal: I want my bakery to sell a dozen brownies to 200

customers within the first month of business.

Next, sort your goals by the area of your business to which they apply. These areas include:
1. Management
2. Marketing
3. Finance
4. Operations

Lastly, consider when you will be able to complete your “SMART” goals. Setting a
Completion Date will allow you to develop an all-encompassing Action Plan.

Now, fill out the next worksheet, and remember that you can find an example of a
completed Action Plan worksheet in the tools and templates section of DreamBuilder.

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 Business “SMART” Goals Completion
Area Date:

Management 1. ____/____/____

2. ____/____/____

3. ____/____/____

4. ____/____/____

5. ____/____/____

Marketing 1. ____/____/____

2. ____/____/____

3. ____/____/____

4. ____/____/____

5. ____/____/____

Finance 1. ____/____/____

2. ____/____/____

3. ____/____/____

4. ____/____/____

5. ____/____/____

Operations 1. ____/____/____

2. ____/____/____

3. ____/____/____

4. ____/____/____

5. ____/____/____

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Step 4: Identify the Challenges:
Every “SMART” goal that you identified in Step 3 will come with its own unique challenges.
Drill down into these “SMART” goals and identify the unique challenges that you may face.
Again, categorize these challenges as they address each area of your business.

Challenges to Completing Your “SMART” Goals

1.
Management
2.

3.

4.

5.

1.
Marketing
2.

3.

4.

5.

1.
Finance
2.

3.

4.

5.

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 1.
Operations
2.

3.

4.

5.

Step 5: Consider Your Allies and Resources:

Now that you have considered your “SMART” goals in Step 3, and the challenges you may
face to achieve them in Step 4, it’s time to consider your allies and resources. Your allies and
resources can help you overcome challenges and reach your goals.

Allies are the people that you can reach out to for help, and resources are the things that
you can use to overcome challenges.

In the box below, list the allies and resources that will help you overcome the challenges
you identified for each business area in Step 4. If you need to review the allies and
resources topic, now is the time to open the next topic of the “Turning Your Dream Into
Reality” course.

Allies and Resources to Accomplish Your “SMART” Goals

1.
Management
2.

3.

4.

5.

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 1.
Marketing
2.

3.

4.

5.

1.
Finance
2.

3.

4.

5.

1.
Operations
2.

3.

4.

5.

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Step 6: Make Your Action Plan Matrix
Congratulations! The previous five steps were a lot of work. Now it is time to create your
Action Plan Matrix using the information that you input in Sections 3-5.

The following four pages are organized by each area of your business: Management,
Marketing, Finance and Operations. On each page, you will transfer the information that you
wrote down in Steps 3-5 about the Goals, Completion Date, Challenges, and the Allies and
Resources that you have in each area of your business.

*Action Plan Matrix for Each Business Area on Next 4 Pages

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 Action Plan Matrix - MANAGEMENT Today’s Date ______/_______/_______

Goals Completion Challenges Allies and Resources

Date

1. ___/____/____ 1. 1.
MANAGEMENT

2. 2. 2.
___/____/____

3. 3. 3.
___/____/____

4. 4. 4.

___/____/____

5. 5. 5.

___/____/____

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 Action Plan Matrix - MARKETING Today’s Date ______/_______/_______

Goals Completion Challenges Allies and Resources

Date

1. ___/____/____ 1. 1.
MARKETING

2. 2. 2.
___/____/____

3. 3. 3.
___/____/____

4. 4. 4.

___/____/____

5. 5. 5.

___/____/____

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 Action Plan Matrix - FINANCE Today’s Date ______/_______/_______

Goals Completion Challenges Allies and Resources

Date

1. ___/____/____ 1. 1.

2. 2. 2.
___/____/____
FINANCE

3. 3. 3.
___/____/____

4. 4. 4.

___/____/____

5. 5. 5.

___/____/____

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 Action Plan Matrix - OPERATIONS Today’s Date ______/_______/_______

Goals Completion Challenges Allies and Resources

Date

1. ___/____/____ 1. 1.
OPERATIONS

2. 2. 2.
___/____/____

3. 3. 3.
___/____/____

4. 4. 4.

___/____/____

5. 5. 5.

___/____/____

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 Step 7: Get Feedback on Your Plan
It is important to get honest feedback about your plan from people who you trust and
respect. They may bring a different perspective to your idea, or help you make your plan
more concrete.

In the box below write the name of up to five people with whom you would be willing to
show your Action Plan. These people can be family or friends. However, it is helpful if they
have experience in the market that you are targeting, the product or service that you are
providing, or running their own business.

People to Provide Feedback on Your Plan

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Now that you have completed all seven steps in this worksheet, you can go back and add
any new information to your business plan. This worksheet should help you make your
business plan more concise, and also give you an idea of the next steps you need take to
either expand your existing business or start a new venture. You now have the foundation
to turn your dream into reality.

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