Unlocking the full potential of your coaching clients takes more than just passion; it demands a structured approach in your coaching programs. That’s why coaching plans are the backbone of successful coaching relationships. They provide a clear roadmap for your coaching process and action steps for your client.

Let’s explore how you can create a step-by-step plan for your coaching process to maximize the results you deliver, including:

• What a coaching plan is
• What to include in a coaching plan
• How to write a coaching plan
• A free coaching plan template

What is a Coaching Plan?

A coaching plan is a structured framework that outlines the goals and strategies of a coaching engagement. This strategic planning coaching tool does the following:

• Serves as a roadmap for the coaching process with a clear direction for both the coach and the client
• Defines the client’s desired outcomes
• Breaks goals down into key milestones to keep the sessions on track throughout the coaching journey
• Track tangible progress as you provide constructive feedback and offer ongoing support

Without these key benefits, both you and your client might float aimlessly, lack tangible results, and miss opportunities. But by coaching with a plan, you can track and evaluate your client’s progress at every step and keep them accountable to take action. 

Your plan should be: 

• Individualized to each client upon your initial assessment and tailored to their aspirations and challenges
• Clear enough to move the client’s steady progress in the desired direction as you provide client feedback
• Flexible enough to evolve as new insights emerge during the coaching relationship as you track progress

Pro tip: Want to keep your coaching plan in one place with your bookings, payments, contracts, digital resources, and more? Try Paperbell for free to start running your coaching business from a single platform.

What to Include in a Coaching Plan

The most important part of an effective coaching plan is the client’s desired outcome when working with you. This should be clearly defined in your very first session with them and inform other elements of your coaching plan, such as:

• Clear objectives that support that outcome
• The key measurable milestones that will signal progress
• The action plan required to reach them
• A specific timeline with practical steps
• The evaluation criteria for the client’s goals
• How you provided actionable feedback while guiding clients

The objectives you first define with your client might shift throughout their personal development. An “aha” moment could prompt them to refine their goals or head in a new direction.

For example, your client might come to you with a desire to build a million-dollar business. However, after digging deeper into their real motivations, they might discover that their true business goals are about wanting to feel seen and have a sense of purpose. These goals can be achieved in simpler ways.

[ Read: 12 Types Of Coaches and How They Win Clients In Their Niches ]

How to Write a Coaching Plan

Here’s how to write a clear plan that aligns your coaching framework with your client’s goals and leads to meaningful results.

1. Establish Clear Goals.

Begin by working with the client to clearly define their goals and desired outcomes for the coaching engagement. This is the time to dream. Remove any mental limitations and encourage your client to expand their frame of mind.

For example, you can ask them:

• If everything were possible, what would you want to achieve?
• What would you do if time and money weren’t an issue for you?
• What did you always wish you could’ve done but never had the chance to?

It’s also worth exploring their core motivations to achieve these coaching goals. A technique that helps do this is the five “whys.” By repeatedly asking your client why their objectives matter to them, you can get to the root of their desires and make sure they are aiming for what matters. 

Once you know your client’s goals, you can refine them with the SMART goals framework. Make sure their objectives are:

• Specific: Clarify the fine details of the goal, for example, by answering who, what, where, when, and why.
• Measurable: Make sure there’s a way to determine when the goal is achieved.
• Achievable: Ensure the goal is realistic and attainable, given the resources available.
• Relevant: Align the goal with the client’s values, priorities, and ultimate vision.
• Time-bound: Make sure the goal can be completed within a set time frame (more about this later).

2. Break The Goals Down.

Big goals, even SMART goals, can feel overwhelming to act on. To make them more digestible, define some clear milestones for them. For example:

• Running research to gather new information
• Acquiring new skills to be able to work towards the goal
• Getting the resources necessary to move on
• Seeking out people who can help with their knowledge, advice, or support
• Carrying out a smaller version of the same project
• Developing a smaller version of the final outcome into something bigger

If your client wants to launch a new business, an actionable plan with key milestones for them could include:

• Identifying their target market and niche
• Registering their business
• Developing their first product
• Creating branding materials, such as a website and a professional biography
• Testing and refining their product with a focus group
• Launching marketing campaigns to build brand awareness and attract customers
• Monitoring their sales performance and developing new strategies

Provide guidance to your clients during this process. However, make sure they articulate their own objectives for themselves. Their goals and key milestones should be something they can wholeheartedly commit to.

3. Establish the Timeline.

Goals are only effective if they are tied to a specific timeline. While big goals and milestones can have a broader deadline (for example, buying a new property in 5-10 years), short-term and mid-term steps should be defined within a specific time frame.

Your coaching plan should ideally revolve around a key milestone of personal growth. For example, you may agree with your client to work towards overcoming their stage fright in the next 3 months. 

This way, they know what overarching objectives they are working towards while committing to a specific coaching process with you on a key target.

Writing down the exact date for a goal in your client notes can be extremely motivating. For example, “I’ll make my first sale by 31st March.” 

With Paperbell, you can store all your client notes and information in one place and refer back to them any time you need to. This makes it easier to review progress when providing feedback sessions.

4. Define Accountability Measures. 

Once a timeline is clear, define action steps at the end of each session with your client to move closer to their objective.

If your client has certain responsibilities, for example, sending you a check-in every week, include that in your coaching plan, too. For habits and action steps that need to be completed regularly, you can set up a digital progress tracker where your coachee can check off tasks they’ve completed.

5. List Relevant Coaching Tools.

Gather the exercises and tools that might help make your coaching process with the client more effective. These may be:

• Coaching questions
• Coaching models
• Exercises
• Assessments
• Digital planners
• Additional resources
• Online courses
• Referrals to support groups or other professionals

If you feel your client is hitting a roadblock or needs more clarity on a particular area, you can always return to this customized toolkit to help them reach their next step.

You should also:

• Define and agree on the frequency of sessions with the client that would be most effective in helping them reach their goals
• Decide on the communication channels and the frequency of check-ins for your contract with them
• Automate reminder and post-session emails to make sure your client always books their next session and never misses one (if you’re using Paperbell, you can set this once per coaching package and forget it)

6. Review and Revise.

Review your coaching plan regularly to ensure it still aligns with your client’s:

• Priorities
• Motivations
• Values
• Updated life situation (if it arises)

Be open to their feedback during coaching conversations. Make any necessary revisions or adjustments based on their input.

Remember, your coaching plan should be flexible to evolve as the coaching relationship progresses and your client gains new insights. At the same time, it should serve as a basis for your sessions that you can refer back to and use to keep your client accountable.

Coaching Plan Template

Here’s a simple coaching plan template that includes all the key elements that you can use with your clients.

Client Name:

Coaching Period:

1. Client overview: 

Describe the client’s profile, previous experience with coaching, and the main reason they approached you.

2. Client goals and milestones:

Define the client’s overarching goals and key milestones.

GOAL 1:

Key Milestones:

•  
•  
•  

GOAL 2:

Key Milestones:

•  
•  
•  

GOAL 3:

Key Milestones:

•  
•  
•  

3. Timeline:

Establish a timeline and schedule for the coaching engagement with specific deadlines.

5. Accountability Measures:

Define how progress tracking will work and how you’ll evaluate personal growth throughout the coaching process, including regular check-ins, progress reviews, and assessments.

6. Coaching tools:

Identify the coaching tools and resources that might help make the coaching engagement and goal-setting more effective.

Build a Thriving Coaching Practice

A coaching plan helps maximize the results of your coaching programs. Creating lasting change in your clients’ lives will ultimately make you successful in the field, but only if your business doesn’t distract you from it.

To streamline the admin side of your coaching business, we recommend Paperbell.

It’s an all-in-one coaching business and client management tool specifically designed for coaches by coaches. It handles your contracts, schedule, payments, landing pages, and more.

Try Paperbell for free to get your coaching website launched and selling today.

Coaching Plan FAQs

How do you structure a coaching package?

Identify your target audience’s goals, then design a package with specific sessions (number, duration, frequency). Define client responsibilities, like check-ins. List coaching tools and exercises you’ll use throughout the process.

What makes a good coaching session plan?

A good coaching session plan starts with a clear agenda outlining topics and outcomes. Include reviewing past action steps, setting session focus, using coaching questions and frameworks, evaluating skill development, summarizing insights, and defining next steps. Adapt to your client’s needs and pace.

What are the 7 steps of coaching?

The 7 steps of coaching are: build rapport with the client, clarify goals and objectives, explore their current reality and challenges, discuss strategies for overcoming obstacles, explore patterns or limiting beliefs, develop an action plan, and provide accountability as you track progress.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in April 2024 and has since been updated for accuracy.