How can you adjust a client's action plan when it isn't working?

1 Assess the situation

In order to adjust an action plan, the first step is to assess the situation and identify the reasons why it isn't working. You can do this by asking your client some questions to gain clarity, insight, and feedback on the current situation and the action plan. Examples of questions you may ask include: what goals and outcomes are desired? How is progress and success being measured? What obstacles are being faced? How are they being addressed? What are the benefits and costs of sticking with or changing the action plan? How committed and motivated is your client to follow the action plan? Answering these questions can help you and your client make informed decisions about how to proceed.

2 Review the goals

Adjusting an action plan begins with reviewing the goals that your client has set. These goals need to be evaluated to make sure they are relevant, realistic, and achievable. You can use the SMART criteria to assess whether or not the goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. If the goals don't meet these criteria, they should be modified or replaced to reflect your client's changing circumstances, preferences, and priorities. By reviewing the goals in this way, you can help your client set more effective and meaningful goals that will guide their action plan.

3 Adjust the steps

The third step to adjust an action plan is to adjust the steps that your client needs to take to achieve their goals. This could mean breaking down large or complex steps into smaller or simpler ones, prioritizing the most important or urgent steps, delegating or outsourcing some steps if possible, adding contingency plans or alternative options for unexpected situations, incorporating rewards or incentives for completing each step, and seeking feedback or support from others if needed. These adjustments will help your client create an action plan that is flexible and feasible for their individual needs and abilities.

4 Monitor the progress

The fourth step to adjust an action plan is to monitor the progress that your client is making towards their goals. This can help evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the action plan, recognize improvements, and identify areas for further adjustment. To monitor the progress, you can use tools or systems to track and record it, such as charts, graphs, journals, or apps. It's important to review the progress regularly and consistently, such as weekly, monthly, or quarterly. Compare the actual progress with the expected progress and goals. Acknowledge the strengths and successes and address any weaknesses or failures. Additionally, provide constructive feedback and encouragement to your client. By monitoring the progress, you can ensure your client remains on track and motivated to follow the action plan.

5 Communicate effectively

The fifth step to adjust an action plan is to communicate effectively with your client throughout the process. Communication is an essential part of building trust, rapport, and collaboration between you and your client. To do this, you should clarify expectations and responsibilities, express thoughts, feelings, and opinions, listen and understand perspectives and needs, resolve conflicts or misunderstandings, and support each other in achieving goals. You can use open-ended and probing questions, active listening and paraphrasing, positive and respectful language, non-verbal cues and gestures, empathy, and compassion to communicate effectively with your client. This will help them feel valued, heard, and supported to follow the action plan.

6 Learn and improve

The sixth and final step to adjust an action plan is to learn and improve from the experience. Doing so can help you and your client grow and develop as individuals and as a team, while reflecting on the lessons and insights gained from the action plan. Identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the action plan, recognizing the achievements and challenges, applying the learning and improvement to future action plans, and celebrating the outcomes and results of the action plan are all important steps in this process. To learn and improve from the action plan, you can use a SWOT analysis to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the action plan. Additionally, a feedback loop can be used to collect, analyze, and implement feedback from yourself, your client, and others. Embracing challenges with a growth mindset, learning from mistakes, seeking improvement, and utilizing a gratitude practice to appreciate everyone's efforts are also important tools for learning and improving. Ultimately, by learning and improving you can help your client achieve their goals while enhancing their satisfaction and fulfillment.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?