Purpose: An FSC work plan incorporates the key deliverables for a cluster over a given period. It represents the formal road map for the cluster’s work and is an important tool that allows the Coordinator and the SAG (depending on the country specific set-up, the SAG often has the oversight of the implementation of the work plan) to monitor and manage progress and track various priority activities and deadlines. This can help facilitate a more predictable FSC response and allows for timely revisions and course correction, when needed.  

Content: The work plan should outline the key sector priorities, in line with the six core functions and the overall deliverables of the FSC, as agreed in a specific context. Generally, it should incorporate the deliverables flagged in this chapter (as relevant), including preparedness and contingency planning, transition planning, assessments etc. with appropriate related activities and benchmarks. It should also flag particular areas, which the SAG and/or the CLAs have decided to prioritise in any particular year or which the HCT has agreed are priority areas/outputs for all clusters. Some take a wider approach and link priority areas with the cluster response plan.

The FSC work plan should outline targets (a list of activities with key deliverables) agreed by the cluster, to promote accountability. It should include a timeline (could be a specific month or quarter, as appropriate), and who are responsible / focal point where relevant (this could be Coordinator, the SAG, specific TWGs, the CLAs or cluster partners). Institutional accountabilities should be clarified within the cluster ToRs.

Format: Usually FSCs use a simple excel log frame format, outlining key activity areas (with some including a ghant chart).