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Annual planning Example: Best Practices, Explanations, and Free Downloads
Without a solid plan, goals often remain loose intentions. Whether you are an entrepreneur, leading a team, or simply looking for more personal structure: a yearly plan makes all the difference. But where do you start, which formats really work, and how do you prevent your plan from ending up forgotten in a drawer? Discover here how to create an effective yearly plan step by step.
OGSM.com has helped over 60+ organizations with OGSM such as:
OGSM.com has helped us a lot in setting up a clear multi-year strategy and effectively translating it to our divisions and business units. With their guidance, our MT has not only turned the strategy into action, but also implemented a process that allows us to continuously improve and continue to focus on our shared goals in a result-oriented way.
Ron Krekels
Managing Director Uniekaas Holland B.V.
OGSM has really given us direction and structure. Our teams now understand better how they complement each other and where their own responsibility lies. The cooperation with OGSM.com went smoothly; they challenged us, got us excited and had a great eye for who we are as an organization. Thanks to their guidance, we now have plans that everyone supports and that really help us move forward in daily practice.
Pauline Escudero Lamboo
Customer Relations Division Manager - DICTU
OGSM helps me and my teams transform annual plans into a clear, concrete framework that provides direction throughout the year and allows us to manage effectively. As a director at Port of Moerdijk and now at Leidingenstraat Nederland, I’ve experienced the power of this structured approach firsthand. Our OGSM.com advisor helps us refine our goals and ensures our plan remains up-to-date and results-focused. This turns it into a dynamic tool that truly drives our organisation forward.
Ferdinand van den Oever
Algemeen Directeur LSNED
Together with OGSM.com, we drew up a sharp and supported plan in a short time. The OGSM method helped us to make ambitions concrete and clarify priorities. She asked the right questions and provided structure without losing the pace. Prior to the process, OGSM.com also held interviews with internal and external experts, so that we could immediately include best practices. The result is a clear compass for our team in the coming months.
Paula van den Boer
Lead Customer Success - Toyota Louwman Financial Services
OGSM.com support was exactly what we needed. He not only helped us bring focus to our 2025 strategy, but also to make sharp choices that really fit where we want to go as an organization. The sessions were structured, energetic and gave us the clarity to continue building together. Thanks to his guidance, there is now a concrete plan that everyone feels ownership of. The implementation of our strategy is now in full swing!
Lisan van der Peet
VP Global HR
With guidance from OGSM.com, our team has significantly improved its collaboration. By focusing on a single, clear, and ambitious Objective, we now have a clear vision and roadmap for the years ahead. OGSM keeps us on track during planning and helps us focus on what truly matters. The result is a goal-oriented approach that allows us to move forward with confidence. Highly recommended for teams looking to seriously improve their strategy and results.
Rick Hunnink
Owner Videonieuwsbericht
Within our organisation, OGSM has been embraced as a strategic management tool. The fresh and independent perspective provided during the process was incredibly helpful in facilitating the right discussions without getting bogged down in lengthy debates. I would highly recommend OGSM.com if you’re looking for a partner and method to take your strategic planning and execution to the next level in your organisation.
Lucas van Schijndel
General Manager BYD
At Crest, we strive for personal leadership in the maritime sector. Before our collaboration with OGSM.com, we struggled to define a clear strategy. Thanks to OGSM.com, we now have an inspiring and focused strategy that challenges us to think bigger and act with more purpose. They also helped us formulate measurable initiatives, enabling us to effectively engage our stakeholders in the mission and execution of our plan. If you're considering working with OGSM, I'd definitely recommend OGSM.com!
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Seriena Bal
Program Director Crest Collective
Introduction: Why an Annual Plan Is Essential
You want to achieve your goals, but without a solid plan, they often remain just intentions. Whether you are a solo entrepreneur looking for growth, leading a team that needs structure, or simply want more personal clarity: an annual plan makes the difference. Yet many people struggle. Where do you start? Which formats actually work? And how do you make sure your plan doesn’t end up forgotten in a drawer?
On this page you’ll discover step by step how to create an effective annual plan. You’ll get practical instructions, free downloads, and proven formats like OGSM that are directly applicable. We show you how to combine an annual plan on one A4 with more detailed Excel structures, so overview and detail go hand in hand. You’ll also find answers to FAQs, annual plan examples for 2025, and useful tips for teams and organizations.
Discover the power of a structured annual plan, download free examples, and start today with plans that really work.
What Is an Annual Plan and What Do You Use It For?
We’ve all been there: you have ambitions and goals for the coming year, but without a clear plan you quickly lose sight. Deadlines get postponed, priorities shift, and most of the time you’re just reacting to the day-to-day. An annual plan helps prevent this. It’s a structured overview of goals, actions, deadlines, responsibilities, and milestones, often broken down by month or quarter.
The proven benefits of an annual plan:
• Keep control of goals and deadlines – see exactly where you stand.
• Work more efficiently – less ad hoc, more focus.
• Set better priorities – avoid wasting time on distractions.
• Plan budget and resources – lock in income and expenses.
• Adjust along the way – regular evaluation makes growth possible.
Research shows that companies who evaluate and adjust their annual plans grow on average 15% faster than those without structured planning (Harvard Business Review, 2023).
Making an Annual Plan in Excel – Step-by-Step, Pros and Cons
Sound familiar? You start the year with big ambitions, but lose oversight along the way. Deadlines slip, priorities blur, and the team works mostly ad hoc. A structured annual plan can change that. Many entrepreneurs and teams choose Excel because it’s accessible, flexible, and powerful.
Excel offers concrete benefits: you can design your own layout, add colors or fields, build dashboards with filters and pivot tables, and automate progress tracking with simple formulas. With Microsoft 365 or Google Sheets, you can even collaborate in real time. Not surprisingly, Microsoft templates are downloaded millions of times each year.
Step-by-step: creating your plan in Excel:
1. Download a free template, for example from Microsoft Templates.
2. Set your year, teams, and color codes.
3. Fill in goals, actions, and deadlines per month or quarter.
4. Assign responsibility, status, and budget for each task.
5. Use formulas like SUM or IF to measure progress.
6. Work with filters and colors to highlight priorities.
7. Schedule regular meetings to update and adjust the plan.
The limitations of Excel:
It’s less convenient on mobile, visually limited, and requires some formula knowledge for complex planning. Still, it’s the go-to starting point for many organizations to gain control of their annual plan and strategic goals.
Annual Plan Example: Practical Guide + Format
Most organizations start in Excel or Google Sheets. Useful, but often it ends up as just a list of actions without strategic connection. At OGSM.com we work differently: we translate your strategy into a one-page annual plan with focus and clear ownership.
How to build an OGSM annual plan:
1. Start with a clear Objective: what do you truly want to achieve this year?
2. Translate it into measurable Goals: numbers and results that guide you.
3. Work out your Strategies: initiatives and projects that support the goals.
4. Define Measures: KPIs, check-ins, and evaluations per month or quarter.
5. Use an OGSM template (Excel, PowerPoint, or our own format) to keep it clear and actionable.
With OGSM, your plan becomes a living document, easy to share across teams.
Download our free OGSM template or book a workshop with us in Amsterdam to build your annual plan together.
Effective Annual Plans for Entrepreneurs: What Works in Practice?
Many entrepreneurs start full of energy but lose focus after a few months. Too many goals, scattered actions, no clear tracking. The result? Wasted time, missed opportunities, and frustration.
From over 100 entrepreneurs we’ve spoken to, the key to success is focus, simplicity, and discipline. Stick to 3–4 overarching goals. More usually backfires. And always adjust regularly: monthly check-ins keep you on track.
Visualize your plan with colors, icons, and KPIs. Combine OGSM (strategy on one page: the what and why) with Excel/Sheets (details: the how and when). Assign responsibilities clearly.
Free Download: Annual Plan Example 2025 (Excel & OGSM)
Want to start right away with your 2025 plan? Free templates and samples help you step by step, without hidden costs or forced sign-ups.
The best approach? Combine OGSM and Excel. OGSM gives you strategy (what & why) and Excel details (how & when). You’ll have objectives, sub-goals, actions, and measures in one file. The result: a strategic yet practical plan ready for daily execution.
Download our free OGSM Excel template and put your strategy and planning on one page today.
FAQs: Annual Planning, Excel & Downloads
1. Can I download a free annual plan template?
Yes, on our OGSM template page. Excel and PowerPoint included.
2. Is OGSM suitable for small businesses?
Absolutely. It’s perfect for small teams and SMEs needing focus.
3. Must my plan be in Excel?
No, but Excel is popular for its flexibility. Prefer online? Use Google Sheets or our software.
4. How detailed should my plan be?
Keep it compact and current. 3–4 clear goals work better than a long unread document.
5. How often should I update it?
We recommend monthly check-ins for agility.
6. Are there free examples without sign-up?
Yes, OGSM.com offers direct downloads.
7. How do I link goals to actions?
Use OGSM: put your Goals in the model, expand in Excel/Sheets into actions, deadlines, and owners.
Templates
Discover our OGSM-templates
We have developed various OGSM templates for you for various formats that you can easily download here.
Frequently asked questions and blogs
Learn from our knowledge hub
How do I fill out an OGSM?
You fill out an OGSM by going through four parts step by step:
1. Objective — formulate a clear long-term ambition.
2. Goals — make that ambition measurable with 3 to 5 concrete goals.
3. Strategies — determine the most important choices to achieve those goals.
4. Measures — add KPIs and actions to measure and execute progress.
Preferably use a template and involve your team for support and ownership.
How long does an OGSM cycle last?
An OGSM cycle usually lasts 12 months and follows the rhythm of the annual plan. The OGSM itself is set up at the start, with quarterly reviews to measure progress, adjust actions and learn. Some organizations work with a biannual update, but the basis often remains valid for one year and is cyclically tightened.
What is the difference between OGSM and OKR?
OGSM and OKR are both methods for translating goals into results, but differ in design and application. OGSM stands for Objective, Goals, Strategies and Measures and provides a complete strategic plan on one page including direction, choices and actions. OKR stands for Objectives and Key Results and focuses primarily on ambitious, measurable quarterly results, without a fixed strategy or action plan. OGSM is suitable for organizations that want to connect direction and implementation. OKR is ideal for short cycle focus and alignment.
Is OGSM useful for my organisation?
Yes, the OGSM model is suitable for companies of all sizes and industries. Whether you're a startup or a multinational, OGSM helps you clarify goals, implement strategies, and achieve results.
Why use OGSM?
The OGSM model is popular because it:
• Provides structure: It offers a clear and easy-to-understand framework.
• Enhances effectiveness: It emphasises measurable results.
• Boosts engagement: Teams collaborate to achieve shared goals.
OGSM helps organisations translate their vision into concrete actions, driving improved performance and teamwork.
