Successful Strategic PlanningJane Jordan, Founding Principal

PartnersWithNonprofits.Org

Strategic Planning Is. . .

LONG RANGE AND USABLE

Strategic Planning Is. . .

Understanding who and what we are Imagining what we most want to be Determining how best to get there, and What our organizational priorities should be

About 20% of all nonprofits have a strategic plan

Strategic Planning Isn’t. . .

A WASTE OF TIME

Strategic Planning Isn’t. . .

A substitute for strategic leadership Volunteers and staff

A substitute for strategic thinking, acting and learning Strategic plans are not “cast in

concrete” They must be fluid and responsive to

changes in our environment

A Strategic Plan Isn’t. . .

An operating plan Operating plans grow out of strategic

plans and are short-term A business plan A case for support

The case for support is geared toward attracting philanthropy and other types of investment

Strategic Planning Involves. . .

WORK THAT’S WELL WORTH IT

Strategic Planning Involves. . .

Your board and your staff Pulling together everyone

Your funders and stakeholders Even your kids!

Strategic Plans Include. . .

EVERYONE’S BEST THINKING

Strategic Plans Include. . .

A clear grasp of external opportunities and challenges

A realistic assessment of your internal strengths and weaknesses

An inclusive approach to planning An empowered planning committee and sr.

staff Clear priorities and an implementation plan

Strategic Plan Components

Plan Components Vision, Mission and

Values Statements Vision: “What will

the world be like. . .?

Mission: “Why do we exist? What do we do? What don’t we do?”

Values: “What are our guiding principles? What do we believe in?”

Broad Goals and Objectives “What do we

want to achieve?”

Strategies, Tactics. . .an Implementation Plan “How will we

accomplish our goals?” Implementation Plan:

A user’s guide to success

The Planning Model

Vision, Mission, Values

Goals

Strategies

Tactics

SWOT

Phases of a Plan

Strategic Planning Phases

Phases Assessment Vision, Mission Goals, Strategies Tactics Monitoring &

Tracking

Activities SWOT Analysis Board Retreat Planning Committee

work Staff Committee work Board & Staff

oversight

The Dreaded SWOTPHASE ONE - ASSESSMENT

SWOT AnalysisInternal

Strengths: Reputation,

people, resources

Weaknesses: Be honest – “weak

links,” internal obstacles to progress

External Opportunities:

Trends, collaboration opportunities, new markets

Threats: Competition, lack

of community awareness

Talk to “Outsiders” Don’t rely on your own opinions

Get feedback from: Funders Volunteers Families Other supporters Kids! Who else?

Vision and MissionPHASE TWO

Vision and Mission Vision

What the world will be like when you have achieved your mission

MissionWhat you are deeply passionate about

What you are best in the world at

What drives your economic engine

Your true mission, your strategic niche

Goals and StrategiesPHASE THREE

Goals and StrategiesGoals

“What do we want to accomplish?’ Desired outcomes External or

internal focus Broad,

comprehensive and often far-reaching

Measurable

Strategies and Tactics “Means to an end”

How we actually accomplish our work

Addresses how goals are achieved Action steps

(short-term) come from strategies

ImplementationTHE COMMITMENT TO GROWTH

Implementation Strategic plan:

Why What

Implementation plan: Who When Where How + Communication

Implementation Plan that drives your agency?

OR. . . Document that sits on the shelf?

Successful implementation. . . Gets the right people on the bus Ensures available funds and time Creates an environment that supports

implementation

Implementation Implementation = Change Implementation. . .

Gets

Promotes organizational growth in our growing and changing environment

Forces us to change and grow personally

Changes Happening Today

Things that are affecting nonprofits right now: The graying of America. . .more people living longer

and needing more services Global philanthropy. . .U.S. philanthropy going to more

countries. . .global disasters, Asian mega-millionaires Innovation in technology. . .Face-to-face is old way of

doing things. . .do you Tweet? A blending of our population. . .by 2045, people of

color will outnumber whites in the U.S. The blending of charity and business in the U.S. . .is

the nonprofit becoming obsolete?

Thank You