Suppose you are a project manager and working on a new software product. The top management assigns you a task to schedule a meeting and present the project’s progress.
During the meeting, you give a detailed presentation covering the technical challenges, achievements, and work completed. The presentation is going well, but as you conclude with a ‘thank you’ note, everyone in the meeting room looks blank and uncertain.
Well, the scenario would have been different if you had added the ‘Next Steps’ slide before the ‘Thank You’ slide.
The Next Steps slide converts uncertainty into action by focusing on what needs to be done next. It provides alignment, clarity, and direction to involved stakeholders so they can stay proactive and confidently move ahead toward goal achievement.
Want to learn about how to create an impactful next steps slide? Keep reading the article!
Types of Next Steps Slides
1. Action-Oriented
This slide focuses on specific tasks that need immediate attention and the responsible person for each task. This slide can be included in process improvements and project kickoff presentations.
2. Timeline-Based
This slide emphasizes the milestones and deadlines for each step. It can be incorporated into presentations related to strategic planning, project updates, and long-term initiatives.
3. Risk-Based
This slide visualizes the challenges and risks associated with each next step and strategies to overcome them. It is the best visual aid for project management presentations.
4. Collaboration-Focussed
It accentuates tasks that need collaboration between cross-functional teams or departments. Best-suited for presentations on mergers, acquisitions, etc.
5. Phased Next Steps
Shows next steps in phases, the timeline of each phase, and completion criteria before moving to the next phase. This slide can be used in presentations related to product development, transformation initiatives, etc.
Objectives of a Next Steps Slide
(i). Prioritizing Tasks
This slide intends to clarify doubts by throwing light on what needs to be done next. It shows the priority of tasks in a sequence, enabling quick decision-making.
(ii). Maintaining Momentum
This slide encourages the team members to act on discussed tasks, driving momentum after the conference or meeting. It helps avoid inaction and keep pace with the project timeline.
(iii). Managing Expectations
By highlighting realistic and achievable milestones, potential risks, and expected outcomes, this slide aids in managing expectations for success.
(iv). Establishing Accountability
The next steps slide portrays the roles and responsibilities of each team member. As team members know their respective accountabilities, they work diligently to avoid delays.
(v). Ensuring Alignment
The slide presents the key tasks, milestones, and deadlines, as well as the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder. Thus, it keeps everyone aligned and committed. It also facilitates easy progress tracking.
Features of an Excellent Next Steps Slide
a). Organized and Structured
An effective next steps slide shows priority tasks in a logical sequence, making it easy for the team members to follow. Use sections or bullet points to give your information a structured look.
b). Visual Appeal
Use high-definition design elements, such as icons, shapes, timelines, Gantt charts, and colors, to differentiate various tasks/actions, responsibilities, dependencies, and deadlines. Ensure the look and feel of this slide aligns with the rest of the presentation to maintain visual consistency.
c). Actionable
This slide encourages the audience to act quickly, meeting the presentation’s goal. Precisely, it includes a powerful call to action that reflects the urgency to draw the audience’s immediate attention.
d). Realistic
The slide incorporates realistic and achievable milestones or deadlines that keep all the team members on the same page and give them a clear direction to progress.
e). Conciseness and Clarity
The action items/tasks included in this slide should be specific and unambiguous. The language should be easy to understand, and sentences should be short and punchy.
What Should be Included in a Next Steps Slide?
1. Actions to be Taken
Showcase all the actions/tasks to be done, the person responsible and accountable for each task, and the timeline/deadline of each action.
2. The Sequence of Actions
Visualize the sequence or priority of tasks and dependencies among them so that the important and critical tasks can be done without delay. Also, highlight key milestones the team needs to achieve.
3. Resources and Support Required
A few tasks require additional resources or support in terms of manpower, budget, tools, management approval, etc., for their completion. Present all those requirements clearly.
4. Risks or Challenges
Shed light on the potential challenges or risks the team can come across. Also, depict the strategies and methods to overcome the issues.
5. Follow-Up Schedule
Highlight the interval or date for reviewing the progress of tasks. It will help make timely decisions regarding changing the priority or assigning additional resources (if required) to avoid delay.
6. Call to Action
Visualize immediate actions to be taken just after the completion of the meeting or conference. Use strong action verbs like download, subscribe, buy, book, etc., to drive quick actions.
7. Contact Information
Showcase the contact details of the person who must be reached out to clarify doubts or seek answers to task-related questions.
Examples of Next Steps Templates
(i). What’s Next
A stunning template comprising beautifully designed slides to help you showcase next steps of your business improvement plan, product launch process, strategic plan, and more. The eye-catching visuals will instantly grab the audience’s attention and make information processing and retention effortless.
(ii). Next Best Action
This template is an excellent addition to your decision-making, contingency planning, and risk management presentations. With the high-definition slides, you can showcase the best next action that perfectly suits the given scenario or context.
(iii). Next Step
Incorporated with visually engaging slides, this template helps you present the next steps of your plan, process, or initiative to team members. The striking layout, vibrant color patterns, and self-explanatory icons make your information distinct and meaningful.
(iv). Next Steps Infographic
Get this template to visualize next steps in the career progression, crucial milestones to achieve success, tasks to complete before moving to the next project phase, etc. The customizable design elements and text placeholders allow you to repurpose these slides for multiple presentations.
(v). Next Steps and Considerations
This template is an ideal visual resource to showcase the next steps of a process, plan, project, or initiative with focus on key considerations to be taken into account at each step. The thoughtful use of white spaces and self-explanatory icons in slides make your content readable and comprehensible.
(vi). Project Summary and Next Steps
Use this template to present your project’s summary, including its scope, components, milestones, assumptions, issues, estimated duration, etc. You can also portray the next steps to be taken by team members to complete the project on time.
Conclusion
The ‘Next Steps’ slide makes your presentations more valuable and action-oriented, focusing on implementation and execution rather than discussion. Not including this slide will make your presentation directionless and confuse the audience.
So, consider this slide important and design it carefully.
