Action Plans

The term “action plans” refers to specific actions that respond to short- and longer-term strategic objectives. Action plans include details of resource commitments and time horizons for accomplishment. Action plan development represents the critical stage in planning when strategic objectives and goals are made specific so that effective, organization-wide understanding and deployment are possible. In the Criteria, deployment of action plans includes creating aligned measures for all departments and work units. Deployment might also require specialized training for some employees or recruitment of personnel.

An example of a strategic objective for a supplier in a highly competitive industry might be to develop and maintain a price leadership position. Action plans could entail designing efficient processes and creating an accounting system that tracks activity-level costs, aligned for the organization as a whole. Deployment requirements might include unit and team training in setting priorities based upon costs and benefits. Organizational-level analysis and review likely would emphasize productivity growth, cost control, and quality. See also the definition of “strategic objectives”.

Go to Baldrige Application Information Capture and Response Template: Strategic Action Plans

The term "action plans" appears in the Baldrige Criteria in the following locations:

Item 1.1 - Area 1.1a and Area 1.1b;

Item 2.2 - Area 2.2a;

Item 4.1 - Area 4.1a and Area 4.1b;

Item 5.1 - Area 5.1a and Area 5.1b;

Item 5.2 - Area 5.2a;

Item 7.4 - Area 7.4a;

Item 7.6 - Area 7.6a