Strategic Planning Considerations
Consider these ideas before embarking on strategic planning for your organization.
Successful Strategic Planning Processes
Varied Views
Gathering information from diverse sources promotes a wide-ranging and accurate assessment of an organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT). Decentralizing the planning process facilitates stakeholder buy-in. Invite board members, staff and senior leadership to participate.- View from the Sky
Early planning must not get bogged down in minutia. Instead of focusing on implementation, planners need to focus on the big picture. i.e., Advancing the mission, while safeguarding financial health. Once goals and strategies are layed out, you may begin to consider tactics. - View from the Outside
Planning must be undertaken with an appreciation for external factors such as economic trends, technological advancements, demographic shifts and service delivery developments. - View the Best
Considering how comparable organizations deal with similar challenges will aid your process. While one-size does not fit all, it is possible to learn from the success and failure of others. - View Priorities
The greatest clarity as to the most important goals in any plan comes when that plan is in development. Determine what comes first before putting the plan to bed. - View Tranquility
Rushing through the strategic planning process is counter-productive. A thoughtful plan can only be developed with patience. - View Success
Whether conditions warrant major or minor change, the organization must be willing to see the strategic plan through.
