The decisions you make, and the steps you take, to put your plan into action benefit from focused planning as well. A useful Web plan is a live document. As you review implementation results with the people responsible, you will often find the need to set new goals and make course corrections. Keep track of the original plan and manage changes carefully. Although changes should be made only with good reason, don't be afraid to update your plan and keep it alive. We recommend using a computer for your budgets and forecasts so you can easily make changes, as described below.
Prescription for Live Planning
- After your plan starts, type actual results into the sales forecast, expense budget, and milestones. Watch what the plan vs. actual worksheets tell you.
- Note when actual results indicate you need to make changes.
- Stay in the Actual mode and make adjustments to future months of your Actual cash plan. After all, it is already more accurate than the original plan because it has actual results for the months already completed.
- As each month closes, type actual results over your revised plan numbers into the Actual area.
