Following the steps, outputs and tasks according to Ehler and Douvere in more detail (1):

1. Identifying needs and establishing authority: outputs are a preliminary list of specific problems you want to solve through marine spatial planning and a decision about what kind of authority you need for developing marine spatial planning. The tasks are (1.1) identifying why you need MSP and (1.2) establishing appropriate authority for MSP.
2. Obtaining financial support: output is a financial plan that estimates the costs of your MSP activities and identifies alternative means to obtain financing for those MSP activities. The tasks are (2.1) identifying alternative financing mechanisms and (2.2) defining the feasibility of alternative funding mechanisms.
3. Organizing the process through pre-planning: outputs are the organization of a marine spatial planning team with the desired skills; a work plan that identifies key work products and resources required to complete the outputs of planning on time; defined boundaries and time frame for analysis and management; a set of principles to guide development of the marine spatial management plan; and a set of goals and objectives for the management area. The tasks are (3.1) creating the MSP team; (3.2) developing a work plan; (3.3) defining MSP boundaries and timeframe; (3.4) defining principles; (3.5) defining goals and objectives and (3.6) identifying risks and developing contingency plans.
4. Organizing stakeholder participation: output is a plan indicating who, when and how to involve stakeholders throughout the marine spatial planning process. The tasks are (4.1) defining who should be involved in MSP and (4.2) defining when to involve stakeholders.
5. Defining and analyzing existing conditions: outputs are an inventory and maps of important biological and ecological areas in the marine management area and current human activities (and pressures) in the marine management area as well as an assessment of possible conflicts and compatibilities among existing human uses and between existing human uses and the environment. Tasks are (5.1) collecting and mapping information about ecological, environmental and oceanographic conditions; (5.2) collecting and mapping information about human activities; (5.3) identifying current conflicts and compatibilities.
6. Defining and analyzing future conditions: outputs are a trend scenario illustrating how the MSP area will look like if present conditions continue without new management interventions; alternative spatial sea use scenarios illustrating how the management area might look when human activities are redistributed based on new goals and objectives; and preferred scenario that provides the basis for identifying and selecting management measures in the spatial management plan. The tasks are (6.1) projecting current trends in the spatial and temporal needs of existing human activities; (6.2) estimating spatial and temporal requirements for new demands of ocean space; (6.3) identifying possible alternative futures for the planning area and (6.4) selecting the preferred spatial sea use scenario.
7. Preparing and approving the spatial management plan: outputs are the identification and evaluation of alterative management measures for the spatial management plan; Identification of criteria for selecting alternative management measures; and a comprehensive management plan, including, if needed, a zoning plan. Tasks are (7.1) identifying alternative spatial and temporal management measures, incentives, and institutional arrangements, (7.2) specifying criteria for selecting marine spatial management measures; (7.3) developing a zoning plan; (7.4) evaluating the spatial management plan and (7.5) approving the spatial management plan
8. Implementing and enforcing the spatial management plan: output is a clear identification of actions required to implement, ensure compliance with, and enforce the spatial management plan. Tasks are (8.1) implementing the spatial management plan, (8.2) ensuring compliance with the marine spatial management plan and (8.3) enforcing the spatial management plan.
9. Monitoring and evaluating performance: outputs are a monitoring system designed to measure indicators of the performance of marine spatial management measures, information on the performance of marine spatial management measures that will be used for evaluation, and periodic reports to decision makers, stakeholders, and the public about the performance of the marine spatial management plan. Tasks are (9.1) developing the performance monitoring program; (9.2) evaluate performance monitoring data; and (9.3) reporting results of performance evaluation
10. Adapting the marine spatial management process: outputs are proposals for adapting management goals, objectives, outcomes and strategies for the next round of planning as well as identification of applied research needs. Tasks are (10.1) reconsidering and redesigning the MSP program; and (10.2) identifying applied research needs.