Why Bother With a Strategic Plan?

It’s true that the declaration “its time to revisit our strategic plan” can cause staff and Board members a slight case of indigestion. Really, who has time? Will this be a time-sucking, elliptical exercise of navel-gazing that results in a boring report that goes in a cupboard and never sees the light of day again? Why in the world would we put ourselves through this? Again?!

Great strategic plans are, IMO, worth the effort. First, a well-run process aligns all your most important champions to a central vision of where you want to be in a few years time, in a highly collaborative way. Second, it provides everyone with a clear sense of direction and purpose, and equips them with the right information and perspective to guide good decision-making along the way.

One thing is an absolute truth: high performing charities take the time to evaluate where they have been, and decide where they are going. Here are some of the major reasons why:

1. Goal Clarity: Strategic planning helps charities define clear and specific goals. It allows organizations to articulate their mission, vision, and values, and establish a roadmap for achieving their objectives. By setting clear goals, charities can align their efforts and resources more effectively.
2. Resource Allocation: Strategic planning enables charities to allocate their limited resources, such as finances, staff, and time, in the most efficient and impactful way. It helps organizations identify their priorities, make informed decisions about resource allocation, and ensure that resources are directed towards activities that have the greatest potential to create positive change.
3. Long-Term Sustainability: Charities need to plan for their long-term sustainability and viability. Strategic planning allows organizations to assess their current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis) and develop strategies to overcome challenges and leverage opportunities. By considering the long-term implications of their actions, charities can build resilience and adapt to changes in the external environment.
4. Measurable Impact: Strategic planning helps charities define key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure their impact and success. It enables organizations to set benchmarks, track progress, and evaluate the effectiveness of their programs and initiatives. By monitoring and analyzing data, charities can learn from their experiences, improve their interventions, and demonstrate their impact to stakeholders, including donors and beneficiaries.
5. Collaboration and Partnerships: Strategic planning facilitates collaboration and partnerships with other organizations, both within and outside the charitable sector. By identifying areas of common interest and shared objectives, charities can leverage collective resources and expertise to achieve greater impact. Strategic planning helps in establishing partnerships, developing joint initiatives, and fostering collaborations that can enhance the effectiveness and reach of charitable efforts.
6. Adaptation to Change: The external environment in which charities operate is constantly evolving. Strategic planning enables organizations to anticipate and respond to changes effectively. By conducting thorough analyses of trends, risks, and opportunities, charities can adjust their strategies and programs to stay relevant and address emerging needs. Strategic planning provides a framework for proactive decision-making and helps organizations navigate uncertainty.

It can be tough to carve out the time on the calendar — both for Board and staff members — but done well, strategic planning means that organizations use time and resources more effectively over the long term. The process empowers charities to set clear goals, allocate resources wisely, ensure long-term sustainability, measure impact, foster collaboration, and adapt to a changing environment. It enhances organizational effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability, enabling charities to make a meaningful and lasting difference in the communities they serve.