I think the primary purpose of strategic planning is to ensure your organization’s relevance. And if you aren’t relevant – and cannot change to be relevant – then you graciously close.
Good strategic planning is a process of internal and external examination. The best strategic planning means learning and change.
Key elements of the best strategic planning process include: gathering information to support quality decision making; engaging stakeholders in the planning process; candid conversation that asks the essential and cage-rattling questions; and, participatory decision making.
Visit my Free Download Library and read the handout describing all this. Get a copy of my book Strategic Fund Development, 3rd edition and you’ll have lots more details and lots and lots of examples about strategic planning, including sample plans.
The new, expanded third edition includes chapters on: Leadership. The professional fundraiser. Creating an institutional strategic plan. Creating a fundraising plan. And more. The appendices (online; you get the URL in the front of the book) include: Multiple strategic plans. Multiple fundraising plans. Planning tools. And more.
