Strategic Planning is the process by which members of an organization envision its future, and develop the necessary goals, objectives, policies and procedures to achieve that future.
The most successful strategic plans are:
- Created by as many stakeholders as possible
- Data driven
- Written succinctly by the creators
- Understood by all members of the organization
- Used to guide major decisions
- Referenced frequently as a template for success.
The payoff of effective Strategic Planning is in its application, the execution and implementation of its key components. It should serve as a clear and concise road map to guide all organization members in their day to day decisions and actions.
I have conducted Strategic Planning sessions with groups ranging from four to 400 individuals. The more individuals that are involved in the creation of the plan, the easier it is for them to commit to its implementation. Upfront involvement eliminates the need to “sell” new ideas and new strategies to the organization as a whole.