Strategic Planning
Strategic planning determines where your organization is going over the next 12 to 36 months. Recent conditions, however, require the implementation of more flexible/agile strategies. Where you want to go may still be the same… but how you get there is definitely impacted by our current conditions. You need a strategic plan!
There are a variety of strategic planning models, including goals-based, issues-based, organic, etc. Regardless of your preferred approach, development of the strategic plan greatly helps to clarify the organization’s plans and ensure that key leaders are all “on the same script”. Far more important than the strategic plan document, is the strategic planning process itself.
The infographic outlines essential steps in a strategic planning process to guide organizations in determining their future direction, especially considering evolving conditions that demand flexibility and agility.
Key Questions
- Who do you want to be?: This question encourages organizations to define their desired identity and long-term aspirations.
- What do we want to do?: It prompts organizations to clarify their core objectives and desired activities.
- How do we best organize efforts to achieve goals and/or address issues?: This question highlights the importance of effectively organizing and aligning strategies to attain desired outcomes.
Pre-planning
- Collaborative Co-design Workshops: This stage involves workshops where key stakeholders collaborate to brainstorm and shape the strategic planning process.
- Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with various stakeholders provide valuable insights and perspectives.
- A series of in-depth online surveys: Online surveys structurally collect input and data from a wider audience.
Planning – Small Group Review
- Discuss/revise/confirm: In this phase, small groups within the organization discuss, refine, and confirm key strategic elements.
- Mission/Vision: Organizations revisit or establish their mission and vision statements, which define their purpose and aspirations.
- Goals: Set clear, overarching objectives to guide the organization.
- Optimal Outcomes: Identify the best possible results or achievements the organization aims to attain.
- Targets and Milestones: Establish specific, measurable targets and milestones to track progress.
- Obstacles: Organizations identify potential challenges or barriers that may hinder their progress.
- Actions: Define the actions or strategies needed to achieve goals.
- Owners: Assign responsibilities to individuals or teams.
- Timeline: Develop a timeline or schedule to outline when specific actions and milestones will be accomplished.
The strategic planning process is a dynamic and collaborative approach that involves key questions, stakeholder engagement, and a thorough examination of core strategic elements. It serves as a roadmap for organizations to adapt to changing conditions and achieve their long-term objectives.
