Strategic Planning
Strategic Planning Definition
Strategic planning is a disciplined and sequential process designed to focus the organization’s human and financial resources toward a preferred future.

• Is the organization's Mission Statement driving decision making?
• What are the strategies employed to achieve the mission?
• How can the human & financial resources best be deployed to attain the mission?

G&A 10 Step Strategic Planning Process

Step 1: Create or Review the Mission Statement

The mission statement process is the cornerstone of effective planning. We have found there are typically five elements to every Mission Statement:
1) The reason the organization exists
2) The distinctive features
3) A reference to roots
4) Core values
5) Defining who the organization serves

Step 2: Make Assumptions

We will help you to determine the key assumptions on which to base the development of meaningful goals and objectives based on the mission.

Step 3: Environmental Scan

The environmental scan is an overview of the organization's roles, responsibilities to its clients, staff and the community at large.

Step 4: Analyze the Data

The key stakeholders are asked to analyze the organization using the SWOT format. This process "clears the air" and helps identify the issues, i.e., What are the strengths and weaknesses of the organization,, what opportunities exist for the organization, what are the threats to the future of the organization?

Step 5: Prioritize the Issues

Mid-way through the planning process, a retreat is held to determine the strategic issues that need to be addressed. The planning retreat will focus on addressing these issues. The limited human and financial resources are directed at addressing those issues relevant to the organization.

Step 6: Form Goals

At the planning retreat, consensus is developed on Strategic Goals for the next several years. Each goal will be written to address the issues agreed upon by the leadership group.

Step 7: Consulting the Community

This critical step in the planning process invites every key stakeholder to review goals before they are ratified.

Step 8: Goals are Adopted

Once the Goals have been reviewed, and in some cases modified, they are formally adopted. They become the blueprint for annual objectives.

Step 9: Written Objectives

Once the Goals have been adoptedannual objectives are written by board committees and administration. The objectives must be in alignment with the goal statements.

Step 10: Set the Strategies

The administrative staff is charged to develop strategies for each objective. Then they are put in writing and published.

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