Move Your Organization Forward Using Strategic Planning

Mon, 11/06/2023

Sydney Grace Bannister

In the public sector, strategic planning can help bring new policies to fruition, solve local issues, and produce results that respond to citizens’ needs. But what exactly does strategic planning entail? A strategic plan serves as a long-term roadmap to prioritize, strategize, and budget to meet organizational goals. It is a written, step-by-step plan of action that defines the organization’s goals and outlines a long-term blueprint for achieving these goals.

Many strategic planning models can be used in local government, such as community-based planning, issue-based planning, and council goal-setting. No matter which model you choose, all strategic planning models rely on clearly defined objectives, actionable strategy, and effective delivery.

Steps of Strategic Planning

Conduct internal analysis. The first step of the strategic planning process starts with analyzing factors, both internal and external, that could affect the strategic plan's success. Considerations may include economic, financial, global, legal, social, or technological factors. Tools like the Strength-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT) analysis, Political-Economic-Social-Technological (PEST) analysis, or Service-demand analysis can provide an additional framework for exploring areas of focus.
Develop a vision for the future. Use the information you’ve gathered to identify the biggest problems facing the organization and a strategy for addressing each problem. Essentially, these are measurable, relevant goals that align with your mission. The plan you develop needs to fit in context with the broader purpose. Tying the plan back to how your organization serves the community lets employees know how their work affects the organization.
Define milestones and metrics for success. Once your objectives are defined and your vision is clear, you will establish key performance indicators (KPIs) which allow you to measure your progress against specific targets. Set a variety of measures and metrics to ensure you account for all variables.
Get approval. The more participation and support you have, the easier implementing your strategic plan is. Policymakers and management, as well as elected officials and the community, should fully support your strategic plan.
Execute the plan and evaluate progress. A clearly communicated plan is the most effective plan. Once the plan is written and published, it's ready for implementation. You’re not done just yet, though. Governments should plan to evaluate the efficacy of the strategic plan at regular intervals, fine-tune as needed, and keep building towards the future vision.

How Public Leaders Can Facilitate Strategic Planning

A strategic plan is just the start of creating real change in the public sector. Without committed leaders seeing the plan through the long-term, strategic planning is less likely to be successful. These are a few ways public leaders can mobilize the organization and engage the community to bring the strategic plan to life.

Prioritize inclusivity. Make your plan as participative as possible by involving all levels of the organization and the community. Public leaders need the input of the people they serve to ensure government plans align with the needs of the public.
Monitor progress and make adjustments. Strategic plans should be designed for long-term success, but if situations and factors change, you may need to reallocate resources, modify timelines, or rethink tactics. Don’t be afraid to adjust what isn’t working and consider or adopt new strategies as needed.
Keep messaging consistent. To be successful, strategic planning should communicate the mission of the organization. Develop a solid narrative that relates to each member of the organization and is simple enough that people can explain it easily. Good communication will help gain the support needed to make necessary progress.
Use all available resources. If you need help, reach out to other agencies and experienced professionals. They may have knowledge or resources that can benefit your plan.