5W2H Action Plan: Get your projects off the paper!
5W2H Action Plan: 7 Questions That Will Take Your Ideas from Imagination to Action
Every entrepreneur has gone through this: after analyzing the market and operating results, he realizes that something needs to be done in his company and decides to start a big project. He brings the team together, everyone has a long meeting, they discuss for hours, several notes are taken, emails are sent, and PPT presentations are watched over and over again.
And after all that, he hits the hammer and is decided: - Let's put the plan into action!
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And, in a short time, what does he notice? Realize that more emails were sent, PPT presentations watched and even spreadsheets were created. But absolutely nothing concrete happened...
Do you know why this happens? Because deadlines, tasks, goals, people in charge and responsibilities were not determined. People often have an idea of what needs to be done and where they want to go, but things are vague, in the air, without foundation.
However, it is very easy to solve this problem and put your project into practice. Just answer the seven questions that are summarized in the so-called 5W2H Action Plan. Do you know what these letters mean and how they can help move things towards effective results in your company?
See all this in our post!
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5W2H Action Plan: Get Started Now!
Answer 7 questions and take action!
What does 5W2H mean?
5W2H is an acronym in English that corresponds to the following seven questions in that language:
- What?
- Why?
- Who?
- Node?
- When?
- How?
- How much?
The Portuguese translation of the 5W2H action plan is:
- Which?
- Why?
- Who?
- At where?
- When?
- Like?
- How much?
Realize that if the entrepreneur or company manager answers these questions at the end of that first meeting in which they intend to plan their project, everyone involved will know what to do and things will move in the company!
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Let's now detail how to answer each of these questions.
Another very effective management tool that can be used in conjunction with the 5W2H action plan is called Ishikawa Diagram, see everything about it: Ishikawa Diagram: it solves problems in your company!
Which? Why? Who? At where? When? Like? How much? 7 fundamental questions
Answering the 7 Questions of the 5W2H Action Plan
What? Which?
You need to set a goal, what you want to achieve. Also, which activities are necessary and which must be performed, phases and stages of the project.
Why? Why?
What justifies dedicating yourself to this project? Does the cost benefit have the potential to be positive and bring more advantages than expenditure of resources? What problem will be solved?
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Who? Who?
This step is one of the most important in the 5W2H action plan. And it's not just about saying who will do what. It is necessary to define the teams, who will be the leader of each team, how each participant will be able to collaborate with the others, who will do the operational part and who will draw up strategies and tactics. In addition, it is up to the overall project leader to carefully delegate the right responsibilities to the most suitable contributors.
Node? At where?
Apparently this is an easy question to answer, but many tasks take place in different places, especially when it comes to sales actions. Where are the customers to be visited? How to reach them? Furthermore, not everything takes place within the four walls of the company. Visits to suppliers, banks, consultants etc. All of this needs to be defined and planned.
When? When?
It is not enough to define a deadline for the end of your project, it is necessary to build a detailed schedule in which each delivery date of the various tasks must be documented so that everyone knows when they will be able to count on that result or resource. Remember that teamwork requires perfect synchronization so that everyone's efforts are utilized to the full. “Passing the baton” is very important and a well-defined schedule will help a lot.
How? Like?
Is there a methodology to be followed by the team? You need to see if this is a type of project that is widely documented and if there is a standard way to do it. For example, if the team decides that a marketing plan is needed, there are already several books and authors that teach how to do this. Choosing one of them to follow as the default is a good idea, avoiding future doubts or repetition of tasks.
How much? How much?
Of course, a detailed budget must be made, but it is good to remember that it is not just monetary resources, money, that “cost” the company. Time spent by the team, their working hours also need to be included in these costs. And other resources, such as supplies and machines, even if they do not have to be purchased, are no longer used in other activities of the company while they are part of the project.
Have you answered the questions? Take action!
What did you think of the 5W2H methodology for action plans? The ideal is to build a document to record answers to all these questions and share the material with the professionals involved in the project. Furthermore, not everything that is planned always comes out as expected. It is necessary to redefine answers to some of the questions as the project evolves and new scenarios are presented to the group.
Are you thinking of putting an action plan into practice in your company? Well, you already know what questions you have to answer before you start!
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It's not enough to set a deadline for your project. Each task must be detailed so everyone can see when they can count on it. To ensure that everyone's efforts are maximized, teamwork is essential. It is important to pass the baton and have a clear schedule. best recruitment agencies in Qatar