A complete ranch drought plan will include:
1. Ranch Vision/Goals/Objectives
2. Ranch Inventory
3. Ranch Critical Dates and Target Conditions
4. Ranch Monitoring Plan
5. Strategies for Preparing for Drought
6. Strategies for Responding to Drought
7. Strategies for Recovering from Drought
Don't set your plan on a shelf, put it into action.
Monitor your Plan
Once you've begun implementing your plan, don't forget to ask periodically - is your drought plan working for you? Is it moving you towards your goals? Are you satisfied with how you managed through a drought, using your plan? Would you make any changes to it?
If you are doing ongoing monitoring of your finances, range, and livestock, you will have a much easier time answering these questions, as you will be able to see trends appearing.
One method of tracking your progress is called the "Balanced Scorecard", described in a publication by Roger Gates & Barry Dunn et al. This approach provides a simple "scorecard" method of tracking performance and goals.
Your drought plan is not a static document. Change it as needed to best meet your needs.