Plans are said to become real when they are:

Plans become real when they are used as a guide by someone with direct experience because this reflects the core principle of person-centered planning: it emphasizes collaboration and involvement from the individual the plan is meant to serve. When a person with firsthand experience applies the plan in their day-to-day life, it validates the relevance and practicality of the plan, fostering ownership and commitment to achieving its goals.

In contrast, a plan developed solely by professionals might not fully align with the needs and preferences of the person it is meant to support, potentially leading to a lack of engagement or motivation to follow the plan. Lengthy reports may be difficult to navigate and may not translate effectively into actionable steps, which could hinder implementation. Archiving a plan for future reference may serve administrative purposes, but it does not contribute to the active utilization or real-life application needed to make the plan effective.