Integrate Your Planning
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To become good strategic planners, we need to learn to become better strategic thinkers, which is a whole lot easier than a lot of people let on. Ask three questions in the right order, and Voilà! You are off to a great start.
- Where do we want to go?
- Where are we starting from?
- How are we going to get there?
The same goes for your Annual Strategic Planning Retreat. Have a look:
1) Where Do You Want to go?
Rather than start your strategic planning with a SWOT (which can keep you going in circles for years until you all fall down) begin with a review and discussion of your Shared Strategic Vision –– where you want to go. ASK: Does it still hold? How is it helping? Does it need changing in any way? Why?
By refreshing your planning team's commitment to your Shared Strategic Vision you will be off to a great start with everyone (including all new comers) literally on the same page, committed to your organization's fundamental aspirations and strategic intent.
2) Where Are You Starting From?
By using identical strategic planning templates that have been prepared in advance by smaller planning teams, team leaders can quickly and concisely bring everyone up to date regarding what their teams achieved last year, what's worrisome and opportune, what their plans and recommendations are for the coming year, and what questions demand attention. This simple planning template will outline:
- Programs & Key Activities
- Intended Results & Measures
- Responsibilities & Timelines
- Budget Forecasts
- Evaluation Methodologies
3) How are you going to get there –– together?
The overall planning team now has a shared understanding and commitment to where you want to go, as well as a clear picture of your current situation, so your full team is now in an educated position to identify 5-7 overarching Strategic Priorities your organization must achieve this year if it is to flourish.
Everyone's programs and key activities can now be aligned to one of these overall Strategic Priorities, and just like that, you have the beginning of an Integrative Strategic Plan –– one where everyone understands how their specific programs and activities fit with everyone else's, and who they need to talk with to ensure their plans are effectively aligned, resourced, and carried out.
Over the next number of weeks smaller planning teams can work together to refine and further integrate their plans for the coming year, and finalize your overall Annual Strategic Plan and targets.
A few "Review & Help Out" sessions during the year will ensure everyone can be counted on to continue to share, discuss, and help each other make necessary course corrections as you go.