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The Strategy of Strategic Planning
The Strategy of Strategic Planning
“Strategic planning is like going to the dentist. Nobody really likes doing it, but when it’s over everyone is always glad they did.”
--Steve Barg, Executive Director, Liberty Prairie Conservancy, Grayslake, IL
Say the words “strategic planning” in a group of environmental nonprofit leaders and you will likely get an array of responses. Many of them will revolve around the time and resources that it takes to create a great plan, one that serves as more than a bookend. Others will list all the positive things their organization experienced as a result of creating a new strategic plan. So why do one? Why is it worth it? What are the rewards?
Creating a strategic plan and working through the planning process can provide many benefits for your organization. The strategic plan - or the output - is just one of those. In addition, the planning process creates specific rewards: stronger strategy impact and leadership development.
For example, the Overmountain Victory Trail Association (OVTA) credits their planning process for their increased impact. OVTA is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to protecting and telling the story of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail. “Since our planning session with ICL, we’ve had many successes including more participation in our annual march, more community and media partnerships, and more opportunities to protect the trail as a natural and cultural resource,” said Mike Dahl, long-time OVTA member and current treasurer.
Strategic planning creates an intentional process for crafting strategies that are understood and shared by staff and board members. Meredith Emmett, ICL Consultant, recently led the ICL webinar, “Putting the Strategy Back into Strategic Planning.” During the webinar, she described several ways that non profits intentionally use strategy:
Creating a strategic plan and working through the planning process can provide many benefits for your organization. The strategic plan - or the output - is just one of those. In addition, the planning process creates specific rewards: stronger strategy impact and leadership development.
For example, the Overmountain Victory Trail Association (OVTA) credits their planning process for their increased impact. OVTA is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to protecting and telling the story of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail. “Since our planning session with ICL, we’ve had many successes including more participation in our annual march, more community and media partnerships, and more opportunities to protect the trail as a natural and cultural resource,” said Mike Dahl, long-time OVTA member and current treasurer.
Strategic planning creates an intentional process for crafting strategies that are understood and shared by staff and board members. Meredith Emmett, ICL Consultant, recently led the ICL webinar, “Putting the Strategy Back into Strategic Planning.” During the webinar, she described several ways that non profits intentionally use strategy:
- To create impact
- To create change
- To generate resources
- To change public policy
- To better deliver programs and services
- To enhance organizational efficiency and effectiveness
- To recruit talent
Leadership and ownership of the organization can be enhanced as the board and staff carefully consider the organization’s mission, purpose, and desired impact. The planning process provides a space in which board and staff can communicate openly and honestly about their assumptions, opportunities, and trends affecting the organization’s future. Well designed planning processes that engage the whole organization can stimulate deeper thinking, encourage individuals to step forward with opinions, and create a stronger sense of shared leadership within the group.
To create a strategic plan that yields the rewards of stronger strategy impact and leadership development, here are some tips to maximize your planning success:
To create a strategic plan that yields the rewards of stronger strategy impact and leadership development, here are some tips to maximize your planning success:
- Start planning to plan. Carefully design a process that uses a variety of methods to engage the entire organization, including board members, staff, donors, and members of the community you serve.
- Write concise plans to inspire. Focus the group to select a few key strategies, so you can write pithy plans. Brief strategic plans that support strong external communication, excite members, and inspire board and staff.
- Make it a working, living document. When leaders use a strategic plan consistently as a guide to decision making, it provides both direction and flexibility to respond to current needs and challenges. Scheduling time to look at the plan on a monthly or quarterly basis will help you keep strategy top of mind and track your impact.
- Don’t rush, but don’t stall. Give yourself enough time to plan well – creating a new strategic plan typically takes 3-9 months. Plan a timeline and activities that allow you to ask the right questions and maintain creative focus.
- Work to focus on the big strategy picture. Focus on the impact the organization desires and the best strategies needed to maximize your impact, more than the extreme details of the plan.
For more information about ICL’s strategic planning services, please visit our website or contact Peter Lane.
Information about organization highlighted in this article:
Overmountain Victory Trail Association
Overmountain Victory Trail Association
| Attachment | Size |
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| The Strategy of Strategic Planning web.pdf | 38.94 KB |