Our Strategic Planning Process is customized to meet the unique needs of each client, but each engagement follows a consistent series of steps.  

Launch:

We start with a very intentional launch to our process by meeting with the strategic planning committee. This launch meeting introduces the whole team, defines roles, reviews the scope of the project and timeline, clarifies outcomes, and sets expectations. The launch phase is also when we start determining the best data to collect for what your organization is seeking to discover. We’ll also identify together which voices we need to hear from to create a holistic understanding of the work you are doing now, and hope to do in the future.  

Data Gathering and Synthesis:

Next, we dig deep to learn more about your organization and gather input from different perspectives. This happens by reviewing internal documents and any strategic work and responsive actions you may have already done. Our team creates and carries out the information-gathering process from internal and external stakeholders via surveys, interviews and focus groups. The information gathered in this step will be accompanied by additional data using tools such as SWOT/PESTLE scans, resulting in a preliminary report that then informs the strategic planning process. With this picture in hand, we meet again with the Strategic Planning Committee to review, process and evaluate everything we have heard and learned and prepare to share this info in the Retreat.   

Strategic Goal and Metrics Setting: 

The board/staff retreat is designed to discuss the fact-finding report and to collectively begin to form strategic goals. From that initial work done together, we’ll guide your team through a goal/metric development process and a reporting/feedback process to include all voices and build consensus and investment in the new plan. We then provide support to the Strategic Planning Committee as they finalize the strategic goals for the Board’s approval. A Final Strategic Planning Report is then prepared, which includes gathered data, conclusions, and the Strategic Goals.  

Guidance & Support: 

Beyond the core Strategic Plan work outlined above, organizations see the highest success when they retain us as a partner to guide and provide accountability for implementation of the work. No strategic plan should end up collecting dust on a shelf! Instead, your organization can opt to continue the engagement, and we will:

• Help you share your Strategic Plan with your community and stakeholders via a communications plan and branded material. It’s an excellent way to elevate your new path forward, while also bringing new awareness, excitement, and professionalism to your organization.
• Break it out into actionable steps: Avoid overwhelm and analysis paralysis by having us develop objectives to meet your strategic goals, then craft a full operational plan to help your whole team work intentionally toward realizing your Strategic Plan. When manageable steps and scheduled check-ins are baked in, there’s accountability for all and success is tracked as a team. This is how all that planning work becomes forward momentum for your organization!