5 (Easy) Steps to a Strategic Plan
Strategic Planning is frequently viewed with the same enthusiasm as a trip to the dentist. Board members know they should do it, but the task can seem overwhelming and even painful.
The strategic planning process does not have to be a daunting, multi-day affair. These relatively easy steps can help boards get started.
1. Set aside an hour at an upcoming board meeting to talk about the organization’s mission and 3 or 4 biggest goals for the next 2-3 years. Don’t spend a lot of time on exact wording but get the major concepts down on paper.
2. Spend a second hour coming up with 3 or 4 objectives or tasks within each goal that will help you accomplish that particular goal and measure your results.
3. Assign a member of the board to oversee the plan and serve as chair. This is usually a great task for an incoming president since he/she will be responsible for implementing the plan.
4. Following the board meeting, the strategic planning chair should develop a work plan. The work plan should identify the specific tasks under each objective, establish who is to be responsible for completing the tasks, and set deadlines for completion. Once completed, circulate the work plan to all staff and committee chairs charged with implementation. You may also want to provide a condensed version of the plan to members so that they are aware of the organization’s goals and focus.
5. At each board meeting, the strategic planning chair should review current status to help keep board members, committees and staff on track, and to identify any impediments.
Strategic Planning is frequently viewed with the same enthusiasm as a trip to the dentist. Board members know they should do it, but the task can seem overwhelming and even painful.
The strategic planning process does not have to be a daunting, multi-day affair. These relatively easy steps can help boards get started.
1. Set aside an hour at an upcoming board meeting to talk about the organization’s mission and 3 or 4 biggest goals for the next 2-3 years. Don’t spend a lot of time on exact wording but get the major concepts down on paper.
2. Spend a second hour coming up with 3 or 4 objectives or tasks within each goal that will help you accomplish that particular goal and measure your results.
3. Assign a member of the board to oversee the plan and serve as chair. This is usually a great task for an incoming president since he/she will be responsible for implementing the plan.
4. Following the board meeting, the strategic planning chair should develop a work plan. The work plan should identify the specific tasks under each objective, establish who is to be responsible for completing the tasks, and set deadlines for completion. Once completed, circulate the work plan to all staff and committee chairs charged with implementation. You may also want to provide a condensed version of the plan to members so that they are aware of the organization’s goals and focus.
5. At each board meeting, the strategic planning chair should review current status to help keep board members, committees and staff on track, and to identify any impediments.
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