Asking the Right Questions: Are You Ready for Strategic Planning?
The start of a new year is a great time to reflect on your organization’s past performance and ponder its future direction, especially if you and your board are contemplating a new strategic plan, notes Capacity Partners President and Founder Mary Robinson.
“The needs of different sized nonprofits may vary. But when it comes to strategic planning, there are fundamental approaches to getting to a strong roadmap for the future no matter how big or small you are.” She adds, “Even with the agility required in today’s post-pandemic climate, the basics still matter.”
Here’s a helpful checklist. Have your key stakeholders – board, staff, and volunteers – answer these crucial questions:
1. Is your organization in a state of flux?
Whether facing external forces such as the pandemic or challenging internal issues, some organizations are not ready to embark on three-year planning. In this case, consider either waiting to address the issue before diving in, or try a dynamic planning model that uses a series of short planning cycles so pending issues can be addressed in a timely manner.
2. Is your board leadership stable?
If there is transition in leadership, it is wise to wait until those officers settle in and are comfortable in their new roles.
3. Is the executive director/CEO planning to stay on for several years?
While an organization can complete strategic planning without a top leader, it is best to have on board the person who will lead the execution of the plan, which is nearly always the executive director. An exception would be if the strategic planning scope includes defining what kind of new leader the organization needs.
4. Do the board and staff have time to engage meaningfully?
Meaningful strategic planning requires a time commitment of at least a half day per month for three to six months. The chair of the strategic planning committee and the organizational leader must dedicate even more time. Many small nonprofits hope to do the impossible – knock out a strategic plan in a single half-day session. That is generally neither wise nor useful.
5. Do you have someone on your board who is willing to make the commitment to chair the strategic planning committee?
It is too much to expect board chair to lead this process while handling their other responsibilities.
6. Do you want a board- or staff-driven process, or some combination of the two?
Very small nonprofits tend to opt for a board-driven strategic planning process while large organizations with staff members who bring special expertise are often staff-driven. Either way, the board still owns the responsibility for setting the strategic direction. This includes foundational elements like developing your mission/vision and values as well as establishing the strategic direction and goals. Staff can help tremendously with analyzing the current situation and creating strategy and implementation plans.
7. What kind of consultant do you want?
Do you need a partner who will guide you through the entire process, or a more focused facilitator, with your team doing most of the work? Make sure your organizational style and expectations line up with your consultant’s.
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If you would like help assessing whether your organization is ready for a strategic plan, or if you’re ready to start the planning process, call Capacity Partners at 240-462-5151. Our team of experts can help you decide if you are ready to proceed and discuss next steps with you.
