My mom taught me how to read a map as her co-pilot on a road trip to Maine when I was about 13 years old. In my world at the time, GPS didn’t exist, and that map was our only guide as we navigated along the East Coast. Little did I know at the time that I was learning a fundamental skill of nonprofit management, simply knowing where we want to go isn’t enough. We must also have a clear roadmap for how to get there. Every organization aspires to achieve its goals, which define its impact and success. However, without a proper strategic plan, even the best intentions can fall short.
We all have experienced it at some point, the Strategic Plan that never gets discussed or implemented. At Hedges, we believe a strategic plan that is created through an inclusive and destination-driven process is key to consistently implementing the strategic plan you worked so hard on.
So, how do you develop a strategic plan that truly works? Here are 6 Success Factors to a strategic planning process that can set your organization on the right path:
1. Aligned with Vision, Mission, & Values
When thinking about your process, consider how it connects back to your organization’s vision, mission, and values. Grounding your planning efforts in these core elements helps individuals and teams see how their work contributes to their greater purpose.
- Does your organization have current versions of your Vision, Mission, and Values statements?
- Is everyone involved in planning familiar with the current version of your Vision, Mission, and Values statements?
- How will your strategic plan goals and strategies be checked against your Vision, Mission, and Values before being finalized?
To ensure alignment with the organization’s core principles during the planning process, it’s essential to review and integrate the Vision, Mission, and Values statements into every step, ensuring that the strategic goals and strategies are consistent with these guiding elements before finalization.
2. Intentional
Each part of your process should be intentionally designed to support successful implementation of the plan. In other words, it’s critical to assign a specific purpose to each portion of your process to foster success in achieving stated goals.
Early on, consider these questions to keep your final destination in mind:
- What do we hope to accomplish through this strategic planning process?
- Who should be involved in the process and how can we maximize their participation?
- What is our plan for measuring the success of the plan?
By thinking about the implementation of your strategic planning process from the very beginning, you are setting a strong foundation for your strategic plan. Your organization will be positioned to move faster and more consistently when the plan is approved, and it’s time to implement.
3. Holistic
When planning, it’s crucial to adopt a holistic approach that encompasses all facets of the organization, beyond just programs and finances, by gathering and analyzing comprehensive data and diverse perspectives. This ensures that progress is accurately assessed and that goals are set to drive overall organizational success. Consider these questions:
- How will you ensure your planning process pushes you to consider all aspects of the organization- not just programs or finances?
- Are you collecting and reviewing the data and perspectives you need to assess progress and set goals for all aspects of the organization?
By addressing these questions, you can create a strategic plan that is both comprehensive and aligned with the broader needs and goals of your organization.
4. Informed
Decisions that are informed and data-driven are critical to successful strategic planning. Diverse perspectives are invaluable for developing a realistic and exciting strategy.
When you create a space where all stakeholders feel comfortable sharing their unique experiences, you’ll leave room for honesty while creating an environment to build buy-in with your closest allies, partners, and supporters.
Consider these questions:
- What quantitative and qualitative data do you need to make informed decisions, and how do you access that data?
- What perspectives do you need to hear from in order to make the best decisions? How will you reach people with those perspectives?
- What perspectives might have been missing from previous planning processes? How are you making it easier for people with those perspectives to participate in this planning process?
Inviting stakeholders to share their ideas and experiences ensures you take their insights into consideration and grounds your work in integrity and purpose throughout the planning and implementation process.
5. Relevant
As you begin the planning process, it’s also important to evaluate both internal strengths and challenges, as well as external influences and partnerships, to ensure that your strategic goals are relevant, achievable, and resilient in the face of potential changes. Consider these questions:
- Is the team considering current organizational strengths and challenges before it begins to set goals for a new plan?
- Do you have any goals from external sources (community or funder partnerships, regional or national affiliations, etc.) that need to be factored into this plan?
- How will your strategic plan goals and strategies be checked against external factors and potential changes in the landscape before it’s finalized?
By thoughtfully considering these questions, you can ensure that your strategic plan is comprehensive, aligns with both internal capabilities and external demands, and remains adaptable to future challenges.
6. Functional
Last but not least, it’s essential to establish a clear structure for executing the plan. Annually, designate leadership for each goal, and develop a process for tracking progress and adapting to changes on an ongoing basis. Consider these questions:
- Is there a structure in place for operationalizing the plan to ensure consistent implementation? Can strategic plan discussions and updates be weaved into already scheduled board and staff meetings?
- Who will oversee leading the work on each goal in the annual plans? How will they regularly share updates on that work?
- How will your team approach any changes to the multi-year plan?
By addressing these questions, you can ensure that your strategic plan is effectively operationalized, with clear leadership, regular progress updates, and the flexibility to adapt as needed.
Combining these 6 Success Factors for Strategic Planning will help you successfully roll out your vision for the future and create a runway for your strategic plan to take off with flying colors. Focusing on these areas considers the overall health of your organization and maximizes your impact.
The process is everything – invest time in the right process, and you invest in the success of your strategic plan and your organization’s ability to make a difference in your community.
Kara Harrison serves as the Director of Capacity Building Services at Hedges. She previously held positions as the Community Investment and Grants Officer at a Community Foundation and as the Executive Director of a mental health-focused nonprofit. Kara is certified in Nonprofit Board Consulting by BoardSource and holds a Change Management Certificate from Cornell University. Her unique blend of hands-on experience and strategic insight allows her to connect with clients while guiding organizations toward operational excellence and impact.
