5-Step to Planning Model: Step Five DESIGNING IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES & MONITORING SUCCESS Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things . . . A powerful new idea can kick around unused in a company for years, not because its merits are not recognized, but because nobody has assumed the responsibility for converting it from words into action. Ideas are useless unless used. The proof of their value is only in their implementation. — Theodore Leavitt, from Inc magazine DEFINITIONS Creating implementation strategies requires assigning specific objectives and tasks to goals sought to be achieved. Monitoring success tracks milestone dates and responsible individuals or groups to assure accomplishment of specific tasks. BENEFITS Development of detailed action plans ensures that estimates of necessary monetary and personnel resources are keyed to desired enhancements in county courts' operations. PROCESSES To ensure that both the team and the people involved in the countywide planning effort actually achieve the goals they set in the courts' plan, it is important that they: Understand the importance of implementation strategies and action plans in achieving priority goals; Develop an action plan for each priority goal; Focus on the importance of intentional consideration of community elements and leadership strategies in designing strategies and plans; and Understand that monitoring progress on action steps includes both assessing progress relative to stated objectives and assessing community status. << Table of Contents