How do you organize for lesson planning?

"What technology can I use?"
"How can I activate their prior knowledge?"
"What notes should they take? On what?"
"How should I have them summarize?"
"Should I let them read in partners? Alone?"
"Should we read the textbook or an article about this?"

There are so many questions to ask yourself when planning lessons.  Have you found a good way to organize your lesson planning process?  Do you have a checklist? Is it all in your head?  Let's share ideas on how you manage your lesson planning process!