When the goal gets broken into smaller steps, the goal becomes easier to manage. Detailing the critical steps also helps the board to plan for obstacles or barriers that might arise during each action step. This section also refers to who should be included and who is responsible for making decisions if any decisions are required. Boards, and people in general, tend to work more efficiently when they are given a timeframe. Placing a timeframe also helps the board to better strategize each sequence of steps to reach the completed target date.
Resources can include money, time, people, locations, events, etc.
Resources also refer to both internal to the board and external-those resources not a part of the board but that may be required or helpful for carrying out the action step. Action plans should be followed up on a regular basis. If you are asking board members to be accountable and get things done, following up to check progress helps keep members motivated to complete their assigned tasks. Depending on your goals, timeframes, and resources, your action plan may need more information or less. Regardless of your board's style for reaching goals, the key to board success is having clearly defined goals that all member's support.