Mutual Action Plan Template
Mutual Action Plan Template
Guide your champion through the sales process with mutual action plans.
Who this template is for
Sales leaders, account executives, sales teams, and their buyer champions who want to stay aligned, keep everyone accountable for next steps, and trade in spreadsheets and emails for a more streamlined and professional sales process. This mutual action plan template is especially useful for B2B sales teams navigating a complex sales cycle with multiple stakeholders and decision makers.
What this template is for
This mutual action plan template helps buyers and sellers collaborate effectively by outlining every step needed to close the deal. It simplifies the buying process by clarifying timelines, assigning responsibilities, and ensuring all stakeholders stay aligned throughout the journey.
By using this template, you can keep the buying team engaged, eliminate confusion, and make it easier for your buyer to champion your solution internally. It’s a critical tool for enhancing buyer engagement, improving the buying experience, and increasing win rates by identifying roadblocks and guiding the sales process toward a successful close date.
How to use the template
Use this mutual action plan template as a single space to outline everything needed to complete the sales process. Use it to communicate and collaborate on tasks, resources, and goals, and provide the necessary docs and materials your buyer needs to gain buy-in from stakeholders and decision makers.
- Sign up for a free Dock account.
- Create a new workspace and select the mutual action plan template to get started.
- Customize the template by adding milestones, due dates, and action items tailored to your sales process and client.
- Save your edits as a reusable template for future deals.
- Invite your client to collaborate—share the workspace after your discovery or product demo call to kick off the mutual action plan.
- Update and reference the plan regularly to guide conversations, adjust timelines, and help stakeholders stay focused on the steps needed to close deals.
What’s in this template?
Overview
A quick summary of what’s in the mutual action plan, including a target kickoff date, success criteria, key dates, and high-level goals. This helps stakeholders understand the plan at a glance and enables the selling team to align with the buying team.
Plan Progress
A summarized project timeline of the mutual action plan’s phases and current progress. This helps stakeholders visualize how far along the buying process is, track key milestones, and identify roadblocks that could delay progress or the close date.
Evaluation
A sample mutual action plan checklist for the evaluation phase of the sales process. Includes steps like platform demo, executive presentation, and proof-of-concept steps. Here, you can embed docs like case studies, meeting booking links, or your CRM integration details to support the buying experience.
Procurement
Sample steps for the procurement phase of the sales process—including legal review, security review, and contract signoff milestones. This ensures decision makers have everything they need to provide buy-in and move the deal forward.
Implementation
A preview of what’s to come post-signature with your customer success team, including onboarding steps, kickoff calls, admin onboarding, training sessions, and other key milestones needed to execute the plan successfully. By including implementation details in the mutual action plan, you give your buyer a sense of clarity and confidence as they move closer to the go-live date.
Why use this mutual action plan template?
Dock’s mutual action plan template is built to simplify collaboration between buyers and sellers by creating a clear, actionable roadmap to close a deal.
Mutual action plans are critical for guiding both sides through a complex sales process. Dock makes it easy to build, share, and manage these plans in one centralized workspace. Buyers can see exactly what’s required to move forward, while sellers stay organized and proactive about next steps. No more scattered spreadsheets, unclear timelines, or missed follow-ups—just a buyer-centric plan that keeps everyone aligned.
Dock’s template is designed for flexibility. You can quickly add milestones, assign action items, and embed relevant docs like case studies, pricing breakdowns, and proof-of-concept materials—all while tailoring the plan to each client’s unique needs. Dock also gives you real-time insights into buyer engagement, so you can prioritize follow-ups and address roadblocks before they stall the deal.
Create true buyer-seller alignment
- Clearly define milestones, deadlines, and responsibilities for both parties.
- Provide step-by-step guidance to help buyers navigate their internal approval processes and gain buy-in from decision makers.
- Keep all updates, resources, and next steps organized in one shared workspace.
Streamline the deal process
- Eliminate confusion by replacing email threads and static docs with a live, collaborative plan.
- Add, update, or rearrange milestones as the sales cycle evolves.
- Make it easy for buyers to stay engaged with a user-friendly workspace that requires no logins or passwords.
Personalize plans for every client
- Customize the template to reflect each client’s specific needs, buying process, and success criteria.
- Embed resources like case studies, pricing docs, or implementation guides directly into the plan.
- Save your customized mutual action plans as reusable templates to save time on future deals.
Gain deal insights and visibility
- Use Dock’s real-time engagement tracking to see who’s viewing the plan, what they’re clicking on, and how engaged they are.
- Identify potential roadblocks by tracking incomplete action items or inactive stakeholders.
- Stay ahead of delays by regularly updating and sharing the plan with buyers.
Make it easy for buyers
- Equip buyers with a clear roadmap they can use to champion your product internally.
- Keep the process simple and frictionless by providing everything they need in one place.
- Show professionalism and credibility by staying organized and proactive.
Dock’s mutual action plan template is the easiest way to collaborate with your buyer, guide them through their internal processes, and close deals faster.
Related Templates
How do I use this template?
Sign up for Dock for free, create a new workspace, and choose the mutual action plan template. Customize it for your sales process, save it, and share it with your client to kick off collaboration.
Is this template free?
Yes, Dock is free to try for up to five workspaces. All paid plans include unlimited template and workspace usage.
Can I modify this template?
Absolutely. You can customize this template for your sales process, save it as your own, and tweak it for each client.
Can I personalize this mutual action plan template for each client?
With Dock, you can customize mutual action plan templates for each client by adding unique milestones, due dates, resources, and docs. You can also save these personalized templates for use with future clients.
Can I use this template for enterprise sales?
Yes, Dock’s mutual action plan template is perfect for enterprise sales teams. These deals often involve long sales cycles, multiple stakeholders, and complex internal processes. The template helps sales reps and account executives stay aligned with buying teams and close deals more efficiently.
Can I share this template with my team?
Yes, Dock allows you to keep templates private or share them across your team. You can control visibility for each template.
What is a mutual action plan?
A mutual action plan is a collaborative document that outlines all the steps, deadlines, and responsibilities needed to complete a sales process. It’s shared between the seller and the buyer to ensure both parties are aligned on what needs to happen to close the deal. It typically includes milestones, action items, and timelines, making it easier for buyers to navigate their internal decision-making process and gain buy-in.
What’s the difference between a mutual action plan and a close plan?
While a close plan focuses specifically on the final steps of securing a deal, a mutual action plan covers the entire sales process—from initial evaluation through post-signature onboarding. Mutual action plans are more comprehensive, ensuring alignment across all stakeholders and creating a better buying experience.
What’s the difference between a mutual action plan and a project plan?
A mutual action plan is specific to the sales process and is created to help buyers and sellers collaborate on the steps needed to close a deal. A project plan is typically used after a deal is closed to guide implementation or delivery. Mutual action plans focus on sales milestones and buyer enablement, while project plans focus on execution and outcomes.
What’s the difference between a mutual action plan and a joint execution plan?
Mutual action plans focus on aligning the buyer and seller during the sales process, while joint execution plans (JEPs) or mutual success plans typically extend into post-sale phases, such as implementation or onboarding. Both aim to improve collaboration, but mutual action plans are specifically designed to close deals effectively.
Do mutual action plans actually help shorten sales cycles?
Yes, mutual action plans can help shorten sales cycles by creating clear accountability and eliminating roadblocks. They guide buyers through complex internal processes, making it easier for them to champion your product and move toward a decision. Dock’s template also helps you identify delays or disengagement early, so you can address them before they stall the deal.
How do mutual action plans improve win rates?
Mutual action plans create transparency, improve buyer engagement, and help sellers stay organized—all of which contribute to higher win rates. They also help buyers feel supported, making it easier for them to navigate internal roadblocks and champion your product.
What is a mutual action plan template?
A mutual action plan template provides a framework for creating a mutual action plan quickly and consistently. It includes pre-built sections for milestones, tasks, deadlines, and resources, so you can customize it for each deal without starting from scratch.
Why should I use a mutual action plan instead of a regular checklist or spreadsheet?
A mutual action plan is more than just a checklist—it’s a collaborative tool that both buyers and sellers use to stay on the same page. While spreadsheets or static documents can be disorganized and difficult to keep updated, Dock’s mutual action plan template creates a dynamic, shared workspace that’s always up-to-date. Plus, Dock includes engagement tracking, so you know when buyers are engaging and where they might need support.
What makes an effective mutual action plan template?
- Key milestones and deadlines for the deal.
- Action items, deliverables, and responsibilities for both the buyer and seller.
- Links to important documents and resources.
- Space for notes or comments to keep communication clear.
- A timeline to help buyers navigate their internal processes.
When should you use a mutual action plan?
You should use a mutual action plan as soon as your sales process becomes complex enough to require buyer involvement—typically after the discovery or demo stage. It’s especially useful for deals with multiple stakeholders, lengthy decision-making cycles, or highly detailed implementation plans.
Mutual action plan best practices & tips
- Keep it simple: Don’t overload the plan with unnecessary details—focus on what the buyer needs to know.
- Stay collaborative: Regularly update the plan and ask for buyer input.
- Use Dock’s engagement metrics to identify roadblocks and gauge buyer interest.
Mutual action plan mistakes to avoid
- Not involving the buyer: A mutual action plan only works if both sides contribute.
- Overloading with technical details: Stick to key action items and deadlines to avoid overwhelming the buyer.
- Failing to follow up: Check in regularly to keep the plan relevant and address any delays.
How to share a mutual action plan internally
With Dock, you can create team templates and share them across your organization. Control who has access to the template and train your team on how to customize it for their deals.
How to share a mutual action plan with clients
Share the plan via a Dock workspace link. Explain its purpose during a call, walk them through the key milestones, and encourage them to ask questions or suggest edits. Use Dock’s real-time tracking to follow up on any incomplete steps.
Can I share this template with my HubSpot CRM?
Yes, Dock integrates seamlessly with Salesforce and HubSpot, allowing you to track mutual action plans and their progress alongside your sales data.
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