As a strategy consultant, I facilitate strategic planning processes with a wide variety of organizations, including businesses, nonprofits, and churches. Every process looks somewhat different based on organizational needs. Economic challenges and uncertainty can pull leaders toward immediate demands and short-term decisions. Strategic planning helps organizations respond to those pressures while keeping a longer-term vision in view. Here are some lessons learned about strategic planning to help your efforts:
1. Strategic planning is a wonderful tool for engagement.
As you develop a process, intentionally provide opportunities for people to offer input. When people feel they are being listened to, they are more likely to feel positive about the organization and become more engaged. Err on the side of involving too many people in the information-gathering process.
2. Strategic planning establishes and communicates a common purpose, vision, and priorities.
An effective plan articulates an organization’s priorities internally and externally. There are always too many ideas for any organization to implement, and the strategic planning process helps identify the most important priorities to devote time and resources to.
3. Shared commitment helps turn input into action.
After listening to stakeholders, ensure your process is designed to gain shared commitment to goals and strategies. There is a time for top-down decision-making, but building consensus around key strategic issues and solutions can lead to greater buy-in.
4. Communicating the vision is an important, ongoing effort.
When employees understand the priorities and clear goals are identified, they can see how their work contributes and work together to accomplish those goals.
5. Make the outcomes you establish measurable.
As much as possible, identify how you will know whether you are making progress. Are you using SMART goals: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound?
6. Planning is easier than implementation.
Some organizations spend more time planning than implementing. They worry about putting the plan document into the correct format. Plans look different based on the needs of the organization. Although the planning process is time-intensive, the most important and difficult work is implementing the plan. Be sure to think through how the plan will be implemented, monitored, reviewed, and adapted when necessary.
7. Encourage creativity and dream big.
People will naturally base their plans on previous experiences, but the past may not be the best guide for the future. Reflect on whether incremental or transformational change is necessary to reach the desired results.
The suggestions above have been adapted from Dr. Tad Dickel’s book Strategic Planning for Catholic Parishes.
T.A. Dickel Group provides strategic planning facilitation and implementation support for businesses, nonprofits, churches, and other organizations. Contact us to discuss your organization’s goals and how we can help you move forward.