What is an Annual Plan or Workplan?

An annual plan is an operational plan that indicates specific goals and objectives for a particular program or programs within a specific timeframe (usually one year). It often includes a detailed plan outlining which activities will be accomplished, by when and by whom.

How is an annual plan linked to a strategic plan? The annual plan references the specific goals of the strategic plan, and indicates how the program and activities will contribute to the longer-term strategic goals. It will also be tied to your annual budget, with specific activities accounted for in both costs and revenues.

How is an annual plan constructed? The steps in creating an annual plan include:
• Refer to the strategic plan. Determine which strategic goals your program area or department is responsible for or contributes to achieving. Transfer these strategic goals to your annual plan.
• For each strategic goal and objective, what activities do you need to undertake within this specific timeframe (usually one year) to move towards achieving that goal? Who is responsible for achieving that goal? What resources are required to achieve it? How will you measure success?
• Take into account what systems and processes need to be in place to allow the work to happen, as well as what human, financial and facilities resources are required. Do you need to back up, and articulate the steps you need to take to ensure that the required resources are available when you need them? This may affect the timing of activities, what portion of the goal you will achieve within the workplan’s timeframe, and what your measure of success will be.
• Given that every organisation faces some limitations on its available resources, you may need to make choices about which activities you will take on and when. An opportunity matrix can help. (See IFEX Strategic Planning Tools: Opportunity Map)

What does an annual plan look like? There are many ways to organise and present an annual plan or workplan. These include:

Example 1:
Strategic goal: [from Strategic Plan]
Strategic objective: [from Strategic Plan]

Example 2:
Strategic goal: [from Strategic Plan]
Strategic objective: [from Strategic Plan]

For examples of IFEX member annual plans and workplans, see IFEX Planning Snapshots along with strategic plans and workplans from a number of members.