7.2.3 Action planning
Objectives
The action planning phase combines issues, questions and results identified during the previous phase. It translates ideas and suggestions into a realistic proposal, and represents the first step for implementing concrete activities. The aim of any Action Plan is to improve the integration of disability issues into the national PRS. The local DPOs and parents’ associations should be mainly responsible for the implementation of such plans. An Action Plan is a tool that translates a common vision and strategy into specific and locally adapted activities. It unites the different stakeholders, indicates the different steps to be undertaken, and identifies roles and responsibilities for each stage.
Any Action Plan needs to be clear, logical and transparent, but at the same time requires sufficient flexibility, as it needs to react to a dynamic and sometimes fast-changing environment. The two key issues that are essential in action planning concern the objectives to be achieved and the potential allies for a cooperation agreement, both of which have already been dealt with in detail in the previous sub-sections.
Action planning as a process
Action planning is a process that includes several steps (see also chapter 2). After an orientation phase, meetings with possible allies need to discuss the following issues:
- What are the specific national entry points into the PRS process? (see also chapter 3)
- Which issues in the field of disability are the most important in this country and need to be included in the national PRS? (priority-setting)
- How can you encourage and support the inclusion of the identified priorities in the national PRS? (brainstorm proposals as a group)
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of each proposal? How much time, money and personal effort will be needed for each proposal?
- Which proposal/plan should be accepted? (several suggestions may be possible).
- Who will do what, when, where and how? (Meta plan) - responsibilities
- What needs to be done first in terms of implementation? Define the next steps and priorities.
- How can the implemented activities be monitored? Who will be responsible for this? - monitoring
- Who should be involved in the evaluation, and at what point is an evaluation necessary?
More information
Tool: The Eight Sunrays of Planning with a list of key questions for a coherent planning
Tool: Action or implementation plan
INTRAC Praxis Publications: Experience from and for Capacity Building Practitioners
Lefevre, Pierre, Patrick Kolsteren, Marie-Paule De Wael, Francis Byekwaso and Ivan Beghin (2000): Comprehensive Participatory Planning and Evaluation.
