Glossary
What is a mutual action plan (MAP)?
A mutual action plan (MAP) is a shared document in which a seller and a buyer agree on the steps, owners and target dates required to get from evaluation to a signed agreement and a successful start.
By the forquotez team. Last updated October 13, 2026.
How a mutual action plan works
You start from the date the buyer wants to be live and work backward. Each row is one step with an owner on either side and a target date.
A typical plan covers:
- The business goal and the target go-live date
- Evaluation steps such as a demo, a technical review and reference calls
- Approval steps such as budget, legal and security review
- Signature
- Kickoff and onboarding
The word "mutual" matters. A plan the seller writes alone is a forecast. A plan the buyer has edited and agreed to is a commitment on both sides.
A hypothetical example
This is a hypothetical example. Sample Street Logistics wants a new system live on March 1. Working backward with the rep from Acme Example Software, the plan sets onboarding to start February 1, signature by January 20, legal review by January 10 and the pricing review with finance by December 15. When legal review slips a week, both sides can see what it does to the go-live date.
Common mistakes
- Only seller tasks. If the buyer owns nothing, it is not mutual.
- Stopping at signature. The buyer cares about going live, not signing.
- Introducing it too late. Bring it up once the buyer confirms real interest.
- Letting it go stale. Review it on every call.
Start with the mutual action plan template. In forquotez, the plan lives inside the deal room next to the quote and shared documents.
Frequently asked questions
Is a mutual action plan the same as a close plan?
They overlap. A close plan is often an internal seller document, while a mutual action plan is shared with the buyer and agreed by both sides.
Who owns the mutual action plan?
The seller usually drafts and maintains it, but each step has a named owner and the buyer should confirm the dates.
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