An effective strategic plan is comprised of two key parts: dreaming about the future your organization wants to create and doing the work to realize the dream – delivering it. Of the two, one is inspiring, engaging, and without limits (and we’d say more fun). The other requires diligence, stick-to-itiveness, and accountability (and can be a lot less fun). I’ll let you figure out which is which. Much like getting in shape, in the beginning, the energy, intention, and motivation are high. But, because we are human, the zeal fades over time and, before we know it, we’re not where we hoped to be. It can feel daunting to catch up and we may feel like it's too late to start over. So, how do we mitigate this all-too-human tendency? It begins with a well-structured “dream phase” that considers the real-time implications of the choices the organization is considering. Then, it requires applying data-driven “decision science” to determine priorities, strategic value, complexity, and costs of potential initiatives. This all results in a deliberate process to select the right priorities, objectives, and projects. The outcome is an inspirational yet realistic plan that has defined budgets, project owners, and deadlines – and a scorecard you will use to keep it on track.
Learning Objectives:
The five phases of the strategic planning process.
How to use “decision science” to select the right priorities and objectives.
How to maintain the momentum of the process after the plan is done.