Summary:
Strategic planning is a process in which organizations define expectations of the future, identify resources that will be needed to ensure success, and take the necessary steps to achieve expectations. There is a myriad of methods used by organizations to determine their focus, direction and measures of success.
Strategic planning strives to answer the following questions, “Who are we?”; “Where are we going?” ; and “How we will get to where we are going?” By defining these questions, organizations leverage their focus and their resources, which leads to a greater chance of success in achieving both short and long term goals. However, the best strategic plan will fail if it is not worked into daily operations and measured for results.
Article Quote:
“Strategic thinking and business planning processes should help you create a clear sense of purpose, direction and focus for all stakeholders that is measurable, sustainable, requires involvement and drives the actions of everyone — yes, everyone — in the organization to achieve predetermined results.”
There is a fourth question that needs be addressed when developing a strategic plan; “What kind of environment can we expect to encounter along the way?”
Both the internal and external environment needs to be analyzed with the use of scenario planning, to deal with these environmental factors. For example, is the internal atmosphere – the individuals in the organization – going to be resistant to the plan? Is there new processes being introduced that will cause change resistance or do some members in the organization feel the plan is fundamentally flawed and therefore will be hesitant in helping achieve results?
These questions and others need to be asked in the development process not only to identify possible conflicts, but also to have a plan in place if they are encountered.
Fore more on strategic planning, see http://www.performancesolutionstech.com/category/strategicplanning/
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