Summary:

Strategic planning methodologies are like shoes – one size does not fit all. Some companies use an autocratic approach, in which the plan gets created by a small group of senior managers and handed down to the rest of the organization. Others prefer a more democratic approach, with employees at all levels contributing their ideas and input to the plan. However, most companies employ a hybrid of these two models.

There are several factors to consider when deciding which approach you choose, such as company size, culture, type of workforce, and management style. However, every strategic plan should include the following five “must-haves”:

1. Mission. This defines why you exist as an organization.

2. Guiding principles. Also called organizational attributes, these describe how you expect people to behave with each other and with other stakeholder groups.

3. Value propositions. These explain the value you provide to your organization’s different stakeholder groups, both internal and external.

4. Destination points. These identify where your organization wants to go within a specified time frame.

5. Areas of focus/strategies. These define, in a broad sense, how the organization will get to where it wants to go.

Article Quote:

“Effective strategic planning also requires that you set goals and define team and individual accountabilities, as these link the big picture to individual goals and competencies. Ultimately, strategic planning is like a jigsaw puzzle – all the pieces must be in place in order to complete the picture.”

Link: http://www.innovationheat.com/2010/02/26/five-must-haves-for-a-strategic-plan/9160/

Having the best strategic plan won’t get you far if you don’t implement it. Successful implementation requires breaking down, or chunking goals into manageable tasks to incorporate into daily to-do’s. By chunking your work and doing a little at a time, the plan will be worked and your goals will be achieved.

Keeping your strategic plan visible will help to measure your progress and make course corrections if needed. Maintaining flexablility is important so you don’t get caught up in working a flawed plan.

For more on strategic planning, seehttp://www.performancesolutionstech.com/category/strategicplanning/