Every trainer needs to have a plan for each training session they run. A session plan helps you to:

• make all the arrangements in advance with participants, supervisors and other personnel
  
  
• check you've got all the equipment and materials to hand that you're going to need
  
  
• cover all of the topics you plan to deliver, without missing out on important points
  
  
• present the information in a logical way, without getting anything back-to-front
  
  
• manage your time, so that the delivery is evenly paced.

Even though it takes a bit of time to prepare a session plan, it's well worth the effort, and it will save you an untold amount of time and grief later when the training is underway and you're relying on your prior preparations for everything to run smoothly. You can also use the same session plan each time you deliver the same course - all you need to do is modify any details that may have changed.

The link below will take you to a sample session plan. This shows the sorts of details that should be included, such as: information about the location and session times, a list of the resources required, any 'special needs' that may need to be catered for, and an outline of the training timetable.

Sample session plan