Why Your Course Needs an Action Framework (And How to Create One)

The extra touch that makes a difference

I’ve forgotten nearly everything about my brother’s bachelor weekend in New Orleans—except how the food looked at one restaurant.

One of his friends had a brother who worked at a high end restaurant, and we got a special lunch there one afternoon. Small dishes, many courses, each one plated so beautifully it almost felt wrong to disturb them.

We ate at other restaurants that weekend with fantastic food too. I still remember the gumbo and jambalaya. But that fancy restaurant? That’s the one I remember most vividly, not because the food tasted better, but because of how it was presented.

The food would have tasted just as good thrown on a plate. But the plating made it memorable.

Creating an action framework for your course is like that beautiful plating. Your content might be excellent without one—but adding a framework makes what you’re teaching far more memorable and lasting.

What is an action framework?

An action framework is a set of steps that helps people achieve a specific result in a way that’s easy to remember and use.

For example, Tiago Forte’s CODE methodology for producing creative work:

• Collect ideas, processes, your own thoughts, and research

• Organize everything so you can find it later and manage multiple projects

• Distill what you learn down to its essence—keeping only the components you need

• Express by actually producing something and completing a project in the real world

Notice these are all specific verbs—things you can actually do.

Another example is the OKR framework (Objectives and Key Results). You set a broad, motivating objective like “I want to be in incredible shape,” then define key results that help you track it, like “run 15 miles per week” or “do calisthenics 5 times per week.” Even though “objectives” and “key results” are nouns, you can easily convert them to actions: write an objective, write down the key results.

Why action frameworks matter

They focus you on creating action. To change anything, people have to DO something. They need to do something different or do it better. An action framework keeps you focused on action as the creator.

They make your teaching memorable. Students can hold the framework inside their heads. I took Tiago Forte’s course back in 2020 or 2021. I’ve taken many courses since then, and I can’t remember all the lessons. But I always remember those four CODE steps.

How to create an action framework

First, list the actions someone needs to take to achieve your result. This is easier said than done.

Here’s my process:

1. Do the task yourself and document every step. Watch yourself complete the task you’re teaching. Write down everything you do, including what you’re thinking. Then break it down into clear steps or phases.

2. Follow your own instructions rigidly. This is crucial. Try to do the task by ONLY following those steps—the way a beginner would.

3. Iterate until it works. If you can’t achieve the result by following your instructions, they’re not valid yet. Keep refining.

4. Name each step. Once your instructions work consistently, come up with a name for each step. Try to make each step a single word if you can. This makes the framework easier to remember and share.

Let me give you an example. A few years ago, I was teaching a course on problem stories. I did the task myself, wrote down the steps, then tried to follow my own instructions like a beginner would.

I failed.

I followed step one, step two, step three—and didn’t end up with a good problem story. Something was always wrong. It didn’t flow, it didn’t connect, or I hit obstacles where things didn’t make sense. This was on a weekend, and I kept hitting these roadblocks.

So I tried again, observing myself more carefully. The second set of instructions was better, but I still couldn’t consistently create a problem story by following them alone.

I kept iterating—several attempts—until I could consistently write a problem story based on the instructions.

Then I taught the workshop. It worked.

If I had used the first set of instructions, it would have been a disaster. But because I failed following my own steps repeatedly, I worked out the kinks before teaching anyone else.

But I’ve taken great courses without action frameworks

You’re right. Not every course needs one.

In fact, my Atomic Course Blueprint doesn’t have an overall named action framework inside of it. It’s got several mini-frameworks but nothing that described the main steps. I only created a memorable action framework for it a couple of months ago when I was thinking about writing this article and wanted to practice what I preach.

I’ve also taken amazing courses where I learned valuable things I can apply—especially when I go back to my notes or workbooks.

But courses like Tiago’s, where the framework was clear? I don’t need to go back. The CODE framework stuck.

So does your course need one? No, not absolutely. But it’s an added element that can push your course to a higher level, making it easier for people to remember, apply, and share your ideas.

It’s like plating food beautifully. You don’t have to do it, but it creates a wonderful and memorable experience when you do.

Summary

Here’s what we covered:

• An action framework is a set of memorable steps that help people achieve a specific result

• Effective frameworks use clear action verbs or can easily be converted to actions

• Action frameworks focus the instructor on creating actionable content and make information memorable for students

• To create one: do the task and document it, follow your own instructions rigidly, iterate until it consistently works, then name each step (ideally with a single word)

• Not every course needs an action framework, but adding one significantly increases impact and memorability

• Creating an action framework requires extra effort—like beautifully plating food—but transforms good content into an unforgettable experience

Remember that fancy restaurant in New Orleans?

The one where every dish was plated beautifully? That’s the meal I remember most vividly, not because the food tasted better, but because of how the entire experience came together.

Your course content might be excellent. But adding an action framework—that’s the beautiful plating that makes your teaching truly unforgettable.

What’s something you do or teach that you might consider putting into an action framework?

Even simple wontons look more tasty when plated beautifully