> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.pears.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.pears.io/plan/action-plans/create-an-action-plan.md).

# Create an Action Plan

Learn how to create a new action plan in PEARS, including selecting a level, type, and program areas.

This article walks through the steps to create a new action plan in PEARS. An action plan defines your programming goals, connects to program areas, and establishes the framework for tracking outcomes.

{% hint style="info" %}
**TIP:** The red asterisk **\*** next to the heading of a field indicates that the field is required.
{% endhint %}

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Navigate to Action Plans

From the PEARS homepage, hover over the **Plan** menu in the top navigation bar and click **Action Plans**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Click Add Action Plan

On the Action Plans list page, click the **Add Action Plan** button to open the action plan form.

![Screenshot: The Action Plans list page with the Add Action Plan button highlighted in the top-right area of the page](https://2560412328-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Ff0820LrBGQ9ZA8SC4BR1%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-4ebdaf9de4ee887edd2c189bb4de6eff83fdec08%2Faction-plan-add-button.png?alt=media)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Enter a Title

In the **Title** field, enter a descriptive name for this action plan. Choose a title that clearly identifies the plan's focus or purpose.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Select a Reporting Period

In the **Reporting Period** field, select the reporting period that this action plan covers. The available reporting periods are determined by your organization's settings.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Select a Level

In the **Level** field, select the scope of this action plan:

* **Individual** — A plan created by an individual staff member for their own programming.
* **Unit** — A plan created for an entire extension unit.
* **State** — A state-level plan that goes through the approval workflow.
* **Multi-State** — A national-level plan for multi-state coordination.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**NOTE:** The level you select determines which plan types are available and whether the plan goes through an approval process. State-level plans require review and approval before they are finalized.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Select a Plan Type

In the **Plan Type** field, select the type of plan. The available options depend on the level you selected:

* **Individual/Unit level:** Local, Pilot
* **State level:** Pilot, Core, Signature
* **Multi-State level:** Multi-State
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Link to a State or Multi-State Plan (if applicable)

If the **Linked State Action Plan** or **Linked Multi-State Action Plan** fields are available, select the parent plan that this action plan supports.

* Individual plans can link to a state-level plan.
* State plans can link to a multi-state plan.

{% hint style="info" %}
**TIP:** Linking your plan to a higher-level plan allows your organization to track how individual and unit efforts contribute to state and national goals.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Select Program Areas

In the **Program Areas** field, select the program area(s) that this action plan addresses.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Select a Unit (if applicable)

If the **Unit** field is available, select the extension unit associated with this action plan.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Answer "Does this plan include evaluation?"

Choose **Yes** or **No**. This defaults to **Yes**.

Choosing **No** skips the [Situation Assessment](/plan/action-plans/situation-assessment.md) and [Outcomes & Indicators](/plan/action-plans/outcomes-and-indicators.md) sections — they are hidden from the plan and from its [action plan reports](/reflect/action-plan-reports.md), and they no longer have to be filled in before the plan can be marked complete.

{% hint style="info" %}
**TIP:** Use **No** for a plan that documents outputs without formal evaluation. Outputs, collaborators, and custom data are still required.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Link Partners (optional)

In the **Partners** field, select the [partners](/engage/partners.md) contributing to this plan.

{% hint style="info" %}
**TIP:** If the partner you need does not exist yet, click **Create a new partner.** below the field — it opens in a new tab. Partners carry forward when the plan is copied.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Select Critical Issues (if applicable)

If the **Critical Issues** field is available, select any critical issues that this action plan addresses. More than one issue may be selected.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**NOTE:** Critical Issues is now an organization-level setting. If your organization has turned **Use Critical Issues** off, the field does not appear here, on quarterly efforts, or in the action plan export. See [Organization Settings](/administration/administration/organization-settings.md).
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Select Crisis Impact (if applicable)

If the **Crisis Impact** field is available, select a crisis if this action plan was created in response to or impacted by a specific crisis event.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Add Comments and Uploads (optional)

In the **Comments** field, enter any additional notes about this action plan.

In the **File Attachments** section, upload any relevant files or documents.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Save and Continue

Click **Save and Continue** to save the action plan and proceed to the [Collaborators](/plan/action-plans/collaborators.md) page.

To save without continuing, click **Save** instead.

![Screenshot: The action plan General Information form showing all fields including Title, Reporting Period, Level, Plan Type, Program Areas, Unit, Comments, and File Attachments, with the Save and Save and Continue buttons at the bottom](https://2560412328-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Ff0820LrBGQ9ZA8SC4BR1%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-f1d61f84289a8b155423f52a5b6dfd478f1e0671%2Faction-plan-progress-panel.png?alt=media)
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}