Strategic Planning

Strategic planning is a process of developing goals and defining strategies to meet those goals.  The plan includes allocation of resources (staff, funding, time, supervision, etc.).

Benefits of Strategic Planning

Strategic planning serves a variety of purposes including (but not limited to):
1. Establishing realistic goals and objectives consistent with the organization's mission.
2. Communicating goals and objectives to stakeholders (staff, people supported, families, volunteers, etc.).
3. Developing a sense of ownership of the plan.
4. Ensuring the most effective use is made of resources by focusing on key priorities.
5. Providing a base from which progress can be measured and establish a mechanism for changes to the plan when needed.
6. Bringing together everyone's best efforts.
7. Building strong teams.
8. Problem solving.
9. Establishing accountability.

Goal/Objective Statement

Goals and objectives are terms that are often used interchangeably.  It is important that you identify what terminology you are going to use in your plan and share that information with everyone concerned.  The goal/objective statement defines in understandable and measureable terms what the desired outcome is.  That includes a date or time frame for achieving the goal.

Simple Summary

In the simplest terms, the strategic plan should include:
-The goal/objective;
-When the goal will be achieved;
-Who is accountable/responsible for achieving the goal; and
-Frequency of review of the progress toward achieving the goal (including if it has been met or not).

It's important to remember that a strategic plan is not a one-time annual document; it is a working plan that should be changed and modified as frequently as needed to meet the needs of the program or agency.

Northern Hills Training Center's strategic plan is available on the F: drive or you can access it by clicking on this link: NHTC Strategic Plan 2010.