Developing actions and setting targets

Developing Actions
Actions form the foundation of your APC action plan. Setting powerful actions that align with
the organisations internal and external requirements as well as the relevant APC goals and
KPIs has been identified as a key challenge for many signatories.
Organisations across all industries and sectors struggle to set powerful actions which
facilitate the delivery of strategic objectives and ultimately enhance performance.
Powerful actions are fundamental to:

Set direction, as they provide the organisation with a strong understanding of what
it is doing, why it is doing it, when it needs to be done, and what resources are
required.

Drive strategy, as when effectively aligned with the organisations broader strategies
or plans, they facilitate delivery of strategic objectives and help to guide
responsibilities and accountabilities.

Enhance performance, as when they are well planned, developed, implemented and
monitored, they place the organisation on a path of continuous improvement in
those areas of strategic importance for both the organisation and its stakeholders.

How powerful are your actions?

Consider the actions in your APC action plan. Are they:

Aligned

Do they go beyond a business as usual approach?

Purposeful

Do they address the companys priority issues?

Current

Do they relate to a current issue? Are they forward looking?

Accountable Has someone been assigned responsibility?

Progressive

Do they go beyond a business as usual approach?

Remember the APCAP acronym when you revise or write your action plan!
What is its purpose?
It is possible to develop actions that conflict with or neutralise efforts in other parts of the
organisation. In order to align actions with broader internal, external and APC requirements,
it is important to identify and understand any external obligations the organisation is required
to meet, as well as any relevant internal responsibilities of the organisations various
functions and/or departments.

Developing actions and setting targets

Are your actions aligned?
Consider the actions in your APC action plan and see if you can answer yes to any or
all of the following questions?

Do actions align with APC Goals and KPIs?

Do actions align with other external initiatives and regulations affecting the
Company?

Do actions align with Companys strategic goals and objectives?

Are the actions supported by and aligned with well-defined targets?

Remember to check the alignment of all actions in your action plan!

Setting Targets
Setting robust targets to deliver the actions in your action plan is also critical. Again,
some APC signatories could improve the strength and effectiveness of the targets in
their action plans. Good target setting allows an organisation to:

Set direction, as targets place the focus on the desired outcomes of actions
and ensures efforts are streamlined to reach desired objectives;

Drive strategic outcomes, as targets are a commitment by the organisation to

deliver results through strategic actions; and

Measure performance, as targets provide a benchmark against which an

organisation can evaluate achievement and ascertain the effectiveness of
specific actions and initiatives.

SMART is a well-established approach to developing and setting targets for a range

of business aspects. SMART targets are:

When developing targets for your action plan it is recommended that you make
them SMART as this will enable you to effectively drive strategic outcomes and
measure and monitor your performance.

Developing actions and setting targets

Do you have SMART Targets?

Consider the targets set in your action plan. Can you answer yes to any or all of the
following questions.

Are they direct, succinct and unambiguous?

SPECIFIC

Can they be quantified, assessed and reported?

MEASURABLE

Can they be acted upon and implemented?

ACHIEVABLE

Do they relate to the overall objective to be achieved?

RELEVANT

Do they have a timeframe for completion/achievement?

TIME-BOUND

Remember the SMART acronym and make your action plan targets SMART!

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