Course Level: Beginner to Intermediate - No prior knowledge of strategic planning is required. Recommended for 2.0 hours of CPE.

Organizing the Process

Our first step within strategic planning begins with organizinghow organizing the process, strategy planprocess. Before we start to organize the process, we need to make surehow organizing the process, strategy planorganization is ready for strategic planning. For example, if strategic planning is new to the organization, then we want to proceed slowly. Maybe too much is happening withinhow organizing the process, strategy planorganization and thus, strategic planning should be postponed. It is important to recognize that strategic planning works best when:

1. management process, strategic plan, strategyorganization has good management.
2. management process, strategic plan, strategyorganization has good channels of communication.
3. management process, strategic plan, strategyorganization is open to new ideas.
4. management process, strategic plan, strategyorganization is not buried in rules and bureaucracy.

Since there is no "right" process, you have to determine if strategic planning fits within your organization. Is the timing right? Is management committed tohow organizing the process, strategy planprocess? Do we have the right mind-set? For example, ifhow organizing the process, strategy planorganization is dominated by operating people who think short-term, then you may want to proceed cautiously with strategic planning. You also need to be sold onhow organizing the process, strategy planbenefits of strategic planning. As previously indicated, strategic planning is a process whereby you prepare forhow organizing the process, strategy planfuture by looking at your choices.

Start Organizing

Strategic planning starts by planning for the plan; i.e. we have to outlinehow organizing the process, strategy planprocess before we begin the process. There are several questions that need to be addressed for organizing the process:
  • Who will dohow organizing the process, strategy planstrategic plan?
  • What are we suppose to do?
  • How will we do it?


Specifically, organizinghow organizing the process, strategy planstrategic planning process includes the following steps:

1. Determine what is expected and communicate this to everyone who will be involved in developing the Strategic Plan. What issues shouldhow organizing the process, strategy planplan address? Obtain a definitive statement from the Chief Executive Officer or President stating what he or she expects out of the Strategic Plan. Circulate an outline to all major participants inhow organizing the process, strategy planprocess.

2. Gather preliminary information for the plan, such ashow organizing the process, strategy plancurrent mission of the organization, major goals in progress, and other plans already implemented. Survey key managers and determine critical issues ofhow organizing the process, strategy planfuture.

3. Determine the scope of the strategic plan. What ishow organizing the process, strategy planplanning period? Generally, the planning period should cover enough time to shift the direction of the organization towards a desired situation. What is the organizational scope ofhow organizing the process, strategy planplan? Will the plan cover the entire organization or maybe certain divisions or units?

4. Reach consensus from essential participants on howhow organizing the process, strategy planplanning process will work. Also, determine how different stakeholder groups will be involved in the process. Prepare a sequence of steps which will guidehow organizing the process, strategy planprocess.

5. Finalizehow organizing the process, strategy planformation of a planning committee. Who will be involved? Who will manage the process? Assign responsibilities and determine resource requirements.

EXAMPLE 1 - Preliminary Checklist to Organize the Process

1. Based on the concerns of key managers and
how organizing the process, strategy planpossible benefits of strategic planning, we should: ____ Proceed to Develop a Strategic Plan , ____ Go Slow , ___ Not Now, too much going on


2. A Strategic Plan should be developed for: ____ Entire Organization, ____Part of Organization, ____Project, ____Other

3.
management process, strategic plan, strategyplanning period will cover: ___ 1 Year / ___ 2 Years / ___ 3 Years / ____Other__

4.
management process, strategic plan, strategyplanning process will be directed by: ___Group Leader, ___Planning Committee, ___Consultant, ____Other__________

5.
management process, strategic plan, strategyStrategic Plan will be developed with participation by: (check all that apply): ____Board of Directors / ___Executive Management / ___Key Staff Groups_______________________________________ / ___Key Stakeholder Groups_______________________________________

6.
management process, strategic plan, strategyStrategic Plan is expected to be submitted for approval by: ________________________

management process, strategic plan, strategyapproach used for strategic planning will depend uponhow organizing the process, strategy planorganization and management. If upper-level management has been unsuccessful in the past with strategic planning, then a more bottom-up approach is needed. Ifhow organizing the process, strategy planorganization is small, then a team approach may work well. Larger organizations tend to favor a more formal process. However, too much formality can lower creative thinking and new ideas. understand importance of strategic planning in organizationprocess should be open and not ritualistic.

understand importance of strategic planning in organizationobjective of organizinghow organizing the process, strategy planprocess is to ensure that you end-up producing a good strategic plan. By staying focused on critical issues and alternatives, good planning will emerge. Do not be afraid to use some judgements and move quickly. A drawn-out process can wander and become outdated by a rapidly changing environment.

EXAMPLE 2 - Napa Distributors Inc - Outline for Strategic Planning

1. Select a steering committee to direct the strategic planning process.
2. Select an outside consultant to assist with
how organizing the process, strategy planprocess.
3. Get agreement on
how organizing the process, strategy planplanning steps, responsibilities, timeline, etc. Review agreement with Board of Directors.
4. Gather information from key management personnel on strength's, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, and critical issues.
5. Summarize current plans and mission. Review past successes and failures for last three years.
6. Review history with committee and board members. Determine recent progress and status.
7. Summarize prior meetings and draft a basic plan.
8. Review draft plan with focus groups, board, and key management personnel. Make revisions and finalize a complete strategic plan.
9. Final review by various groups.
10. Obtain approval of Strategic Plan.
11. Implement
understand importance of strategic planning in organizationStrategic Plan.
12. Review progress after six months and revise plan.


Finally, recognize that each organization is different andhow organizing the process, strategy planplanning process will vary. Start simple and match the capabilities ofhow organizing the process, strategy planorganization with a process that is workable. understand importance of strategic planning in organizationfirst step for three different companies is illustrated below:

Excaliber Corporation - Determine what kind of company we want to be - how organizing the process, strategy plancompany has not changed in over ten years.

PPC Software - Outline the basic tasks for a strategic plan andhow organizing the process, strategy plandesired results. Allow the process to flow from this outline.

Alliston Trucking Company - Initiate a learning program for management on strategic planning.

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