![Essential Elements icon](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120921140100im_/http://www.ihs.gov/MedicalPrograms/Diabetes/images/mockups/webdev-ee-128x128.png) Essential Elements
All the program planning elements can be put into a Visual Planning Tool or road map. There is no right or wrong way to create a road map. The key is that you and the team develop it together, understand it and use it.
What are the 5 elements of a visual planning tool? ![up arrow](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120921140100im_/http://www.ihs.gov/MedicalPrograms/Diabetes/images/arrow_up2.gif)
- Resources (inputs or what we invest)
- Activities (things program does)
- Products (who was served, what was developed)
- Results or outcomes can include learning: awareness, knowledge, skills and actions such as: behavior, practice, decisions, policies)
- Impact or the long-term consequences (social, economic, environmental)
What does the Visual Planning Tool or road map look like when you’re finished? ![up arrow](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120921140100im_/http://www.ihs.gov/MedicalPrograms/Diabetes/images/arrow_up2.gif)
You should be able to read your program plan just like a book. For example,
“If we have these resources (time, money and people), then we will be able to implement these activities (The Best Practices), and if we do these activities then we should have these products (the numbers of things done), and if we have these products then we should have these results (the changes in learning, skills, behavior or policies) and if we have these results then we should have this impact (the longer range consequences of the program).
Programs must include a timeline. What is a timeline and why is it important? ![up arrow](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120921140100im_/http://www.ihs.gov/MedicalPrograms/Diabetes/images/arrow_up2.gif)
- A timeline is simply a schedule of events that need to occur at certain times.
- It can be as simple as an organized list that is broken into steps to provide information about each event and the time the events will take place.
- It can help make sure that you complete your program - on time.
- It can help us actually do the things we planned.
|