Action Planning Retreats
Turning strategic direction into meaningful momentum
A strong strategy creates clarity about direction.
Action planning is where that clarity turns into movement.
At Tilia Consulting, our action planning retreats (and related action planning processes) are designed to help organizations move from knowing what matters to knowing what happens next, with clear ownership, realistic timelines, and shared accountability.
While this work often takes the form of a focused retreat, it doesn’t have to. Depending on your context, action planning may unfold through a short series of workshops, one-on-one coaching with leaders, or facilitated check-ins over time. Our role is to help you design the approach that best supports your people, your capacity, and the work ahead.
Grounded in the Transformational Strategy model from the Technology of Participation (ToP), our action planning work focuses on translating strategic direction into coordinated, achievable action – so your strategy doesn’t stall once the planning conversation ends.
Action planning is especially valuable when:
a strategic plan or strategic directions have been approved
momentum risks stalling after a planning process
roles, responsibilities, or sequencing feel unclear
teams need a shared roadmap for implementation
capacity is stretched and you need to focus energy where it will matter most
For many organizations, this is the moment where good intentions either take root …or quietly dissipate.
Clarity enables action
Our action planning work is grounded in simple belief: clarity enables action. Rather than creating long task lists or overly detailed workplans, we help groups focus on a small set of essential questions:
What needs to happen to move the strategy forward?
Who is responsible? And who needs to be involved?
Where does this work live (team, role, committee, or function)?
When will progress be made, reviewed, and adjusted?
This is how strategic direction becomes implementation, without relying on wishful thinking.
Designed for contribution (and reality)
Action planning is most effective when it reflects how work actually happens.
Rather than assigning actions from the top down, we design participatory processes that help teams:
interpret strategic directions together
identify realistic actions based on lived experience
surface dependencies, risks, and constraints early
align on priorities before committing to timelines
Because the people closest to the work are best positioned to determine what’s feasible, this approach builds both ownership and credibility – two ingredients that we think every implementation effort needs.
Bridging strategy and day-to-day operations
Action planning often brings together people working at different levels of the organization, including:
leadership and management teams
operational teams
project leads or coordinators
The goal is to translate strategic priorities into operational reality. This may include:
clarifying decision-making authority
aligning workplans across teams
identifying resourcing or capacity gaps
establishing simple check-in and review rhythms
Done well, this work bridges the space between governance-level strategy and the realities of day-to-day operations.
Sequencing work over time
Not every organization needs the same planning horizon. We often support teams in developing operational plans across different timeframes, such as:
3-month plans focused on early momentum, traction and quick wins
6-month plans that align sequencing, roles, and resourcing
12-month plans that establish implementation rhythm, accountability, and review cycles
Across all timeframes, the focus stays consistent: who is doing what, where the work lives, and when progress will be reviewed – so the strategy continues to move your organization forward without burnout.
What teams typically walk away with
Our action planning processes often result in:
clearly defined actions aligned to strategic priorities
named owners and collaborators
realistic timelines, milestones, and immediate next steps
shared understanding of dependencies, risks, and constraints
a practical roadmap for the next phase of work
Just as importantly, teams leave with confidence that the plan reflects reality – not just aspiration.
Ongoing support & implementation coaching
For many organizations, implementation is not a one-time handoff. We can support follow-through through:
implementation coaching check-ins
facilitated progress reviews at 3, 6, or 12 months
course-correction sessions when conditions change
support for communications and reporting (internally or externally)
This helps action plans remain living tools that are adaptable, relevant, and actually used.
Action planning as an act of care
At its best, action planning isn’t about pressure or productivity theatre. It’s about creating conditions for people to do meaningful work well.
By grounding action planning in clarity, participation, and realistic pacing, organizations are better equipped to move forward – together.
Moving from strategy into action?
We help organizations design action planning retreats and processes that honour the strategy you’ve created, respect capacity, and build momentum that lasts.
