What is a Strategic Plan?
Every three to five years, non-profit organizations should develop and create a strategic plan. Organizations often spend thousands of dollars and many hours of time preparing these plans. So, what is a strategic plan?
Most people understand a strategic plan as a business document that guides the organization to its future state. Before describing K&J Strategic Solutions’ definition of a strategic plan, I want to give some examples.
According to the Cambridge dictionary, a strategic plan is “a process in which a company’s executives decide what they want to achieve and the best actions and use of resources for doing this.” The Macmillan dictionary describes a strategic plan as “the process of planning the activities of a business so that it competes well with other businesses and makes a profit.”
At K&J Strategic Solutions, we similarly believe strategic planning is a process. Still, we define it as a collaborative effort in which organizations examine their current state to guide their plan with measurable goals and achievable actions.
Why is our definition different? The answer lies in how we see an impactful strategic plan operating. There are two things we consider vital when performing a strategic plan. They are incorporating staff and your public statements. A good plan includes everyone in an organization: the board and executives who ultimately set the path forward and input from those enacting it. Including the staff in the process will heighten their engagement at the organization as this will allow them to feel a sense of belonging.
When performing a strategic plan, this is the time for the organizational leaders to revisit the mission and vision statements. These two statements are the groundwork for which your goals and actions should support. They are the brand of the organization; they must be fully represented. Clients, customers, funders, and employees (prospective and current) consider these statements when deciding to work with or for your organization.
A strategic plan is a path forward for an organization that includes the hopes and dreams of the future with tangible actions and measurable results. Your plan will be a success for the next three to five years when these concepts are included in your organization’s strategic planning process and the plan is fully implemented into the organization’s budgeting process.
