From solution to plan
Your solution statement says what you're going to build or do. Now you plan how to get it done. This page walks you through the five lines in the Mobilize box of your Innovation Plan, one at a time.
Where you're headed
Long term goal and short term goal: the change you want to see, and the first step that gets you there.
Who and what
Who will help and potential roadblocks: the people on your side, and what you'll do if something gets in the way.
What it costs
Budget: what your short term goal needs, what it costs, and what's already covered.
We'll keep using the example from Module 1: a workshop series with a short follow-up activity each week and a one-page recap to take home.
Set your long term goal
Your long term goal is the change you want to see for the people you're building for, if everything works. Think one to two years out.
Start from the need
Go back to your Need row and your problem statement. Your long term goal should describe that need being met.
Describe the change, not the activity
“Run workshops” is an activity. “Participants keep using what they learn” is a change. Say what's different for your people.
Make it something you could picture
If you can't picture what success looks like, neither can a partner or funder. Add a timeframe and who it's for.
Too vague
Help participants learn better.
Stronger
Within two years, the workshop series runs every season, and most participants say they still use what they learned months later.
Set your short term goal
Your short term goal is the first step toward your long term goal. It's something you can finish in the next three months, and you'll know for sure whether you did it.
By [date], we will [do what] with [how many people or how much], so we can [what you'll learn or show].
By March 31, we will run a four-week pilot of the workshop series with 12 participants, so we can see whether the weekly follow-up and recap help people keep using what they learn.
- Dated. It has a deadline, not “soon.”
- Countable. It has a number, so anyone can tell if you hit it.
- Doable. You could start it with the people and money you have, or can get, in the next few weeks.
- Connected. If you reach it, you're clearly closer to your long term goal.
Name who will help
No one does this alone. List the people who can help you reach your short term goal, and write down exactly what you'll ask each of them for.
Skills
Who knows how to do something you don't, like design, data, or running a session?
Access
Who can connect you to the people you're building for, or to a space or partner?
Feedback
Who will tell you honestly what's working and what isn't?
| Who | How they'll help |
|---|---|
| Program coordinator at the community center | A room for the pilot, and help recruiting participants |
| Two parents from our interviews | Try the recap sheet and follow-up activity before the pilot starts |
| Lab Accelerator mentor | Check in on the plan every two weeks |
A specific ask gets a yes more often. “Can you share our sign-up link in your newsletter this week?” is easier to say yes to than “Can you help us out?”
Plan for roadblocks
List what could slow you down, then write what you'll do if it happens. Think about time, money, people, space, and skills.
| Roadblock | What we'll do |
|---|---|
| Not enough people sign up | Recruit in the parent Facebook group where we first heard the feedback |
| Participants skip the weekly follow-up | Keep it under 10 minutes and send it by text |
| The community center room isn't free on weeknights | Ask the public library as a backup |
Hip tip
Naming a roadblock isn't negative. Right now, before you've started, is the cheapest time to solve it.
Build your budget
Your budget covers what it takes to reach your short term goal, not your whole long term vision. Use the budget template to keep it in one place.
Google will ask you to make a copy. Click Make a copy, and you'll have your own version to edit.
List what you need
Go through your short term goal step by step. Think about people, space, materials, tools, and getting the word out.
Estimate each cost
A careful guess is fine. Look up real prices where you can, and round up.
Mark what's already covered
Donated space, volunteer time, and things you already have still count. Write them down with a cost of $0, so you can see the full picture.
Find the gap
Add up what isn't covered. That's the amount you'll need to find, and it tells you who to ask.
| Item | Cost | Covered? |
|---|---|---|
| Room for four sessions | $0 | Donated by the community center |
| Printing recap sheets, 12 people for 4 weeks | $40 | No |
| Snacks for four sessions | $120 | No |
| Texting tool for weekly follow-ups | $15 | No |
| Gap to find | $175 |
These numbers are made up for illustration. Yours will depend on your project.
Where this goes in your Innovation Plan
This is the Mobilize box from your Innovation Plan. The colored boxes are what you built on this page.
Who is the key stakeholder and what is their problem?
Stakeholder:
From Module 1.
Problem:
From Module 1.
What solution does your initiative offer?
Solution Statement:
From Module 1.
Values:
Not covered in this module.
What goal do you want to achieve? Who can help you along the way? How much time and money are needed to get this done?
Long Term Goal:
The change you want to see, one to two years out.
Short Term Goal:
Your first step, with a date and a number.
Who will help:
Each person and what you'll ask them for.
Potential Roadblocks:
Each roadblock and what you'll do about it.
Budget:
Your copy of the budget template.
What needs to get done or be created in order to achieve the solution goals?
Add tasks / deliverables
How will you gather and incorporate feedback? What key metrics will you measure to know you are achieving the goals?
Key Metrics:
Testing Plan:
Based on how things went, what are our next steps?