Free Next Steps PowerPoint Templates

The Slide That Drives Results

Every presentation builds toward a moment of decision. You have analyzed the problem, presented your findings, and made your recommendations. But without a clear next steps slide, all that work can evaporate the moment people leave the room.

The next steps slide bridges the gap between insight and action. It transforms your presentation from an information transfer into a commitment device. When done well, it answers the questions every audience member is silently asking: "What do I need to do? By when? And what happens if I don't?"

This template collection offers five distinct layouts for presenting next steps, from puzzle diagrams that show how actions fit together to numbered action lists for sequential execution. Each design serves a different communication purpose while maintaining the professional polish that consulting presentations demand.

Puzzle Diagram Layout (Slide 80)

The puzzle diagram layout presents four action items as interlocking puzzle pieces, with a detailed context panel on the left side. This design communicates that your next steps are interconnected - each piece is necessary for the whole picture to come together.

When to use this layout:

• When your action items are interdependent
• When you need to show that all pieces must come together
• When you have exactly four key actions to present
• When you want to emphasize completeness and coherence

The visual metaphor is powerful for transformation initiatives or complex projects where stakeholders might be tempted to cherry-pick only convenient actions. The puzzle makes clear that partial implementation will leave gaps.

The left panel accommodates more detailed context, making this layout ideal when your audience needs background information alongside the action items. Use it when transitioning from a strategic recommendation to operational next steps.

Strategy List with Illustration (Slide 81)

The dark-themed strategy list presents five action items in a clean vertical format, balanced by a modern illustration on the right. This layout works well for forward-looking presentations where you want to convey innovation and momentum.

When to use this layout:

• For digital transformation or innovation initiatives
• When presenting to tech-savvy audiences
• When you have 5 strategy items to communicate
• When you want a contemporary, dynamic feel

The dark background commands attention and works particularly well in conference rooms with ambient lighting. The illustration humanizes what could otherwise feel like a sterile checklist.

Each strategy item has a circular marker that can serve as a checkbox during the meeting - useful when you want verbal commitments on each item before concluding.

Metrics and Options Layout (Slide 82)

This sophisticated layout combines performance metrics with three option cards, creating a data-driven approach to next steps. The upper section displays key performance indicators while the lower section presents actionable options, each with a highlight for priority identification.

When to use this layout:

• After presenting quantitative analysis
• When you have multiple paths forward (scenarios or options)
• When metrics should inform which actions to prioritize
• For quarterly reviews or performance-driven discussions

The three option cards work well for presenting alternatives: Option A, B, and C with trade-offs. They can also represent immediate, short-term, and long-term actions, or categorize actions by function (e.g., Operations, Marketing, Finance).

The metric displays connect your recommendations to the numbers that drove them - a technique consultants use to anchor decisions in data rather than opinion.

Rocket Roadmap Layout (Slide 83)

The rocket roadmap positions six strategy items along an ascending trajectory, with the rocket suggesting upward momentum and achievement. The zigzag path creates a visual journey from starting point to goal, with content on both sides of the slide.

When to use this layout:

• For strategic planning sessions
• When presenting a phased approach with a clear destination
• For annual planning or multi-quarter initiatives
• When you want to inspire and energize the audience

This layout excels at showing progression - earlier actions at the bottom, later actions climbing toward the goal. The ascending visual naturally communicates growth and ambition.

The bilateral layout (three items per side) creates balance while allowing substantial description text for each action item. Use the left side for foundational actions and the right side for strategic moves that build on them.

Numbered Action List (Slide 84)

The numbered action list provides the most traditional format: five clearly sequenced items with an illustration of a person at work. The light background and clean typography make this the most versatile option.

When to use this layout:

• When sequence matters and actions must happen in order
• For operational presentations where clarity trumps creativity
• When you want to assign and track numbered items
• For audiences who prefer straightforward, no-nonsense slides

The numbered format facilitates meeting discussions ("Let's discuss item 3") and follow-up emails ("As we agreed, I'll own items 1 and 2"). The illustration adds warmth without distracting from the content.

This layout handles longer descriptions well, making it ideal when each action item needs explanation rather than just a headline.

Choosing the Right Layout

Selecting the right next steps layout depends on several factors:

Number of items:

• 4 items: Puzzle diagram (slide 80)
• 5 items: Strategy list (slide 81) or numbered list (slide 84)
• 3 options: Metrics and options (slide 82)
• 6 items: Rocket roadmap (slide 83)

Meeting context:

• Board presentations: Numbered list (clear and scannable)
• Strategy sessions: Rocket roadmap or puzzle (inspirational)
• Quarterly reviews: Metrics and options (data-driven)
• Innovation discussions: Strategy list with illustration

Content complexity:

• Brief action labels: Puzzle diagram
• Detailed descriptions: Numbered list or rocket roadmap
• Data-backed decisions: Metrics and options

Visual preference:

• Light and clean: Puzzle diagram or numbered list
• Dark and modern: Strategy list, metrics layout, or rocket roadmap

Writing Effective Action Items

Regardless of which layout you choose, the quality of your action items determines whether anything actually happens after the meeting.

Start with action verbs. "Schedule pilot program kickoff meeting" is actionable. "Pilot program planning" is vague. Strong action verbs include: schedule, submit, approve, hire, launch, deliver, complete, review, and decide.

Be specific about deliverables. "Finalize budget proposal for board approval by March 15" beats "work on budget." The specificity makes it clear what done looks like.

Assign clear ownership. Ideally, include owner names on the slide or verbally assign during the meeting. Actions without owners rarely get completed.

Include deadlines. A next step without a deadline is a wish. Even if the deadline is approximate ("by end of Q2"), it creates accountability.

Keep items parallel. If you start one item with "Review," start all items with verbs. Consistent structure makes the slide easier to scan and remember.

Connecting Next Steps to Your Findings

The best next steps slides create explicit links between your presentation's analysis and the recommended actions. Each action should clearly stem from something you presented earlier.

Consider adding brief rationale to each item: "Launch customer research (to address awareness gap identified in section 2)" or number-coding that matches earlier slides.

This connection prevents the "that's interesting but where did these actions come from?" reaction that undermines credibility. It demonstrates that your next steps are evidence-based, not arbitrary.

Following Up After the Meeting

A next steps slide gains power when you follow up. Within 24 hours of the meeting, send a summary email listing each action item with its owner and deadline. Reference the slide number so recipients can pull up the context.

Schedule a check-in meeting for two weeks out to review progress. This creates accountability and demonstrates that you take the commitments seriously.

Track completion and report results in subsequent presentations. Nothing builds credibility like showing that last quarter's next steps became this quarter's accomplishments.

For guidance on capturing project insights and structuring post-project reviews, see our Lessons Learned Template Guide.

For more guidance on presentation conclusions, see our executive summary template for summarizing recommendations and timeline template for showing when actions will occur. Deckary's AI Slide Builder can generate next steps slides tailored to your specific presentation content.