Strategic planning is an organizational management activity that is used to set priorities, focus energy and resources, and strengthen operations. Effective strategic planning determines where an association is going over the next year or more and how it’s going to get there.
A strategic plan is a document used to communicate with the association the association’s goals, the actions needed to achieve those goals and all of the other critical elements developed during the planning exercise. Here is an example of the activities in the strategic planning process.
1. Strategic Assessment
This activity includes conducting a review of the association’s environment, such as, increasing competition, changing demographics, etc. Then determine the various strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in the association.
2. Setting Strategic Direction
Decide what the overall accomplishments or goals are for the association, and the overall strategy to achieve the accomplishments. Goals should be designed and worded as much as possible to be specific, measurable and acceptable to those working to achieve the goals.
3. Strategy Execution
Create an action plan that includes specifying objectives, or specific results, with each strategic goal. Also include specific responsibilities and timelines with each objective, or who needs to do what and by when. It should also include methods to monitor and evaluate the plan, which includes knowing how the association will know who has done what and by when.
