The Plan is a fast-paced, light, card-management game with set-collection goals. In this simultaneous-play game, players form teams of expert thieves and attempt to steal valuable treasures from the museum in a series of heists. Each round, new treasures become available. However, treasures may be stolen only by experts in the specific field. The masterminds must try to assemble the best team to send in. The treasures collected range from valuable jewels, to ancient artifacts, to priceless paintings, so the team assembled must match the treasure available.

To play, each mastermind commits to their team by choosing one card from their hand. These are called "plan cards", and they have a variety of experts on each card. Players keep their teams hidden until everyone is ready to reveal their cards at once.

The smallest teams get to collect treasures first, but teams with more experts can collect more items. However, larger teams move slower, so treasures may not be available when they arrive. Teams with matching experts cancel each other out, so players must form the right teams, while also sending them in at the right time.

The game ends when the treasures have been collected. Each item is worth victory points, and complete sets of any treasure earn extra bonus points. Whoever has the most points wins!