non profit strategic planning may 22 2012
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Leading Strategic Planning for Non-Profit Organizations
Presented bySusan Low
May 22, 2012
About MeFounder/CEO of Directis Consulting
MBA & 15 years consulting experience
Passionate about problem-solving and helping “good” organizations be stronger
What is Strategic Planning?Provide direction and make choices for the
future
Determine how to apply the resources of the organization to
MAKE AN IMPACT
Why Do Strategic Planning?Focus on positive change - proactively
Align interests &needs with actions
Society at Large
Stakeholders
Clients
Organization
The Strategic Planning Process
Process design
Participants
Planners Predictable
Prepared
Strategic Planning ProcessSituational Analysis
• What is happening in our world?
• What is happening internally?
Mission, Values,
Direction
• What is our purpose?• What makes us different & valuable?• What is our goal for this period?
ThemesObjective
sActions
• What are our big priorities?• What do we measure? How?• What are we going to do?
Implement/
Monitor
• How are we doing?
Situation AnalysisEnvironmental Scan:
What is changing in our industry, markets, region?
How will these changes impact us?Stakeholder Scan:
How do our clients, funders, partners and public see us?
What needs are we meeting (or not)?Internal Scan:
What are our strengths & weaknesses?How do these impact us given the environment?
Reflecting on Your ScansWhat are the biggest opportunities or threats
from the environment?What problems are we not able to respond
to?What resources are we not using well?How do we need to work together better?
Rank the top strengths/weaknesses, opportunities/threats
Strategic Planning ProcessSituational Analysis
• What is happening in our world?
• What is happening internally?
Mission, Values,
Direction
• What is our purpose?• What makes us different & valuable?• What is our goal for this period?
ThemesObjective
sActions
• What are our big priorities?• What do we measure? How?• What are we going to do?
Implement/
Monitor
• How are we doing?
MissionLong-term purpose: 10-15 years
Incorporate “vision” – simplify your planning!
Who will we serve? What needs?What is “the change we wish to see in the
world?”How will our organization shape itself?
Values/BeliefsWhat principles or absolute ideals govern our
decisions and conduct?
Use as criteria in decision-making:Which programs/projectsWho to hirePartners to align with
Strategic DirectionWhat resources & capabilities do we count
on?
Where do they come from?
What makes us unique among organizations?
Strategic Goal – FOCUS!2-3 Year Scope for the Organization
Guides near-term program choices, funding needs, etc.
What do we do?Selected activities / services that we can
capably deliverWho do we do it for?
Define the target population – make choices!
Strategic Planning ProcessSituational Analysis
• What is happening in our world?
• What is happening internally?
Mission, Values,
Direction
• What is our purpose?• What makes us different & valuable?• What is our goal for this period?
ThemesObjective
sActions
• What are our big priorities?• What do we measure? How?• What are we going to do?
Implement/
Monitor
• How are we doing?
Identifying the GapsCompare our goal with where we are now
Where are we falling short?
Prioritize the gapsWhat will make the biggest positive effect?What do we have the resources to do?
Create strategies to close the gaps
Creating Strategies - ThemesDefine the desired results
What makes it possible to achieve that result?Themes are courses of action chosen to
achieve a goal
Given our resources, what can we do in 2-3 years?
Example of a Theme:Theme – increase reach to local program participants
Objective – add program spacesMetric - # of program spacesTarget – 10% increase by end of 2013
Actions:Develop the case for support from fundersIdentify teaching / delivery staffReduce size of program booklet to cut printing costs,
allowing us to fit materials into existing budget
Resources required: $, time, in-kind, supplies etc.
Strategic Planning ProcessSituational Analysis
• What is happening in our world?
• What is happening internally?
Mission, Values,
Direction
• What is our purpose?• What makes us different & valuable?• What is our goal for this period?
ThemesObjective
sActions
• What are our big priorities?• What do we measure? How?• What are we going to do?
Implement/
Monitor
• How are we doing?
Building a Scorecard
INPUTS OUTPUTSPROCESSES
OUTCOMESIMM
EDIA
TE
MEDIUM-TERM
LONG-TERM
#1 Measure: Outcomes
Also measure:What creates sustainability for the organization?What indicates healthy performance?
ImplementationBreak up your action plan into 90-day
segmentsRealistic expectations
Meet frequently & communicate about progress towards each goal
Communicate your plan to all stakeholders
Measuring / MonitoringUpdate your scorecard
Evaluate whether performance is “on track”
Reflect on progress & adjust your course:Given what we know now, what should we do?What assumptions did we make that were
right/wrong?How can we use this learning to go forward?
Make new action plans
When can a facilitator help?If your organization is new to strategic planning
If there are diverging viewpoints / wide ranges of concerns among participants
If an internal facilitator will inhibit participation (or prevent a leader from fully focusing on planning)
If previous planning efforts were challenging or got derailed
ResourcesWebsite: SWOT Analysis, Strategic Plan Word
Template, Marketing Plan Templates
StratPad – iPad app, coming to non-profit soon!
Contact me: 250-479-8303