Overview of the APT method

Here’s a quick overview of the APT method.

This visual is APT’s equivalent of an architect’s plan

Let me now quickly show how you can use this method to translate your business ideas into reality.

Or to use some project planning jargon, ‘convert thinkables’ into ‘deliverables’.

The first three steps of the APT Planning Method are similar to the three steps of the house build planning.

You start with ideas about the desired end result.
You become the architect of a visual APT solution plan.
Then add action-plan details (or implementation specifications).

The APT method makes implementation simpler (even if you lack the knowledge for some of the how-to solutions).

Now let me quickly walk you through the steps I will teach you about the APT planning method.

Visual Planning

There are five steps in the creation of an APT style plan. The first three steps are about creating a one page visual plan.

I’ll now quickly overview these first three steps. I’ll then describe steps four and five.

APT Step 1
The Top Box

At the top of any APT business or project plan is one large box. This is called the Top Box.

It has one simple purpose -- to name or describe the total result (or outcome) you seek to achieve.

Here are some examples of what your Top Box might look like.

Typically Step one is a five minute job. (If it takes longer you're likely overthinking the task)

I’ll use the very simple ‘Nice Cup of Tea Plan’ Top Box to continue this explanation.

APT Step 2
The Major Boxes

Step 2 is where the magic starts -- it's where APT 'Visual Logic' kicks in.

In Step 2, I will ask you to ‘breakdown’ what is named in the Top Box, into its ‘Major Parts.

This example shows the six major parts or components that make up ‘A Nice Cup of Tea’. The desired end result.

In practice, Step 2 is not as simple as Step 1. Typically for a strategic business plan, it will take about an hour. And it’s my job to show you how.

APT Step 3
The Detail Boxes

The detailing breakdown

You’ll notice I’ve broken down Major Boxes 5 and 6 vertically. This makes it easier to get a lot more detail on a single page

Detail Breakdown

For this Step 3 example, let’s decide that the first four ‘Majors’ don’t need to be further broken down.

However, Majors Boxes 5 and 6 need to be broken down in order to explain what we plan to deliver in better detail. (Continued below)

In step 2, we did our first ‘breakdown’ step. We broke-down what was named in the Top Box into what we believe were its Major Parts.

Step 3 continues this ‘breakdown’ procedure, one more time.

In step 3, (where needed) you break down each of the Major Parts into smaller component parts.

In this example, Major Boxes one, two, three and four did not need to be further broken down. However, by breaking down Major Boxes 5 and 6, we can enhance the description of what is required to achieve what we mean by a ‘Nice Cup of Tea’.

I think you will agree that in this example, step 3 in just a few words, can add significant clarity to your planning intentions.

More breakdown? You May Be Thinking?

Maybe you are thinking, should there be another breakdown step?

The answer. Where possible, use the KISS (keep it simple Smith) option.

In my experience, in about 90% to 95% of APT plans, further breakdown is not needed on the visual diagram.

When we get to APT Step 5, the Action Plans, there is scope for further breakdown if needed.

APT Steps 4 and 5 - Keep It Alive

I’m sure you will be aware that many, many business plans are prepared – only to die on a bookshelf.

Later I’ll explain my contribution to solving this well known problem. But here’s a quick description of what APT steps 4 and 5 are all about.

APT Step 4
Priorities and Resources

Here’s one of the major reasons for business plan failure – insufficient resources. Just keeping up with daily workload does not provide enough time to get your head around business goals and problems and who does what etc etc.

There’s quite a bit to Step 4, but here’s three words that will be part of it – Simple Ruthless Priorities.

APT Step 5
Getting the plan done

Over the past twenty something years, when working with my clients, I’ve learned some ingenious ways that business leaders use to ‘make it happen’. For Step 5 I’ll share some of these. One is ‘Just-In-Time’ Action Plans. I’ll let you choose the one that suits your work culture.

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