The Importance of "Now What?": Action Planning with Driscoll's Model

Introduction

In the world of reflective practice, thinking deeply about past experiences is important—but it’s what we do next that truly drives growth. That’s why the third and final stage of Driscoll’s Model of Reflection, known as “Now What?”, is perhaps the most crucial of all.

While many learners and professionals are familiar with reflecting on what happened (“What?”) and why it mattered (“So What?”), it's the action planning stage—the “Now What?”—that transforms reflection into real, tangible improvement.

In this article, we’ll explore why the “Now What?” phase is essential, how it supports goal-setting and personal development, and how to make it a consistent part of your reflective routine.

A Quick Refresher: What Is Driscoll’s Model of Reflection?

Driscoll’s model is a simple, yet powerful tool built around three core questions:

• What? – What happened?
• So What? – Why is it important?
• Now What? – What will I do differently next time?

This structure makes reflection accessible and applicable in a wide range of fields including healthcare, education, social work, and business.

While the first two questions help to analyze experiences, the third encourages forward-thinking and practical planning—turning insights into action.

Why the “Now What?” Stage Matters Most

🎯 1. Drives Meaningful Change

The “Now What?” prompts you to take insights from your reflection and apply them in real life. Without this step, reflection risks becoming a passive or purely academic exercise.

It forces the question:

“What can I do differently to improve outcomes next time?”

🧠 2. Builds Self-Awareness and Accountability

By developing an action plan, individuals take responsibility for their development. This is especially useful in settings like:

• Nursing and medical placements
• Teacher training
• Management and leadership evaluations
• CPD (Continuing Professional Development)

📈 3. Encourages Lifelong Learning

Reflection with actionable steps is a key component of lifelong learning. It ensures experiences lead to continuous improvement, a crucial trait in modern education and workplaces.

Examples of “Now What?” in Action

🩺 Nursing Student Example

• What? A student struggled with time management during a patient round.
• So What? They realized this impacted the quality of care.
• Now What? They decide to create a daily checklist and shadow a senior nurse to learn time prioritization.

👩‍🏫 Trainee Teacher Example

• What? A lesson on climate change didn’t engage the class.
• So What? The teacher noticed students were confused and disengaged.
• Now What? They plan to incorporate interactive videos and quizzes in the next session.

👔 Manager Example

1. What? Team morale dropped after a poorly handled feedback session.
2. So What? The manager saw they had been overly critical without suggesting solutions.
3. Now What? They commit to using a strengths-based feedback approach and schedule 1-on-1 follow-ups.

How to Make “Now What?” Effective

Here’s how to turn the “Now What?” into a powerful driver of action:

✅ 1. Set SMART Goals

Use the SMART framework to make your goals:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Time-bound

Instead of saying, “I’ll do better next time,” say:

“I’ll create a prep checklist by Friday to use before next week’s shift.”

✅ 2. Reflect Regularly

Make reflection and action planning a habit. Weekly reflections, end-of-shift notes, or post-project reviews keep you engaged and evolving.

✅ 3. Track Your Progress

Keep a log or journal where you revisit past reflections. Ask yourself:

• Did I follow through on my “Now What?”
• What’s changed since then?
• What still needs improvement?

✅ 4. Seek Feedback

Sometimes, others can see gaps or growth we can’t. Discuss your action plan with mentors, supervisors, or peers to refine your goals.

How the “Now What?” Benefits Different Professions

Field - Application of “Now What?”

• Healthcare - Improving bedside manner, time management, clinical skills
• Education - Adapting teaching strategies, classroom management
• Social Work - Managing boundaries, ethical decision-making
• Business - Enhancing communication, conflict resolution

Creative Fields Adjusting based on feedback, experimenting with new ideas

Final Thoughts

Reflection is only as powerful as the actions it inspires. That’s why “Now What?” is the heart of Driscoll’s Model—it turns insights into outcomes and experiences into evolution.

Whether you’re a student, educator, or professional, embracing the “Now What?” means committing to continuous learning and intentional self-improvement. Make your reflections count—not just in thought, but in action.