Strategy?
Yes.
Plans? Yes.
Strategic Plan.
No. Not exactly.
What organizations need is a Strategy – an
overarching general explanation of how they are going to guide their
performance during the coming years.
Then they need to build specific Plans to implement the Strategy.
The Strategy should be targeted toward Strategic
Stretch Goals that are designed to significantly enhance the Mission Impact
of the organization. The Strategy
explains, generally, how the organization will Leverage its Strengths,
Fortify its Weaknesses, Seize its Opportunities, and Block its Threats as it
pursues the goals.
Once the Strategy is set, then the Strategy
Implementation process begins with Planning. Specific Plans
are guided by the themes of the Strategy as the organization pursues the
goals. Plans are detailed, but fluid. Ideas for achieving the goals are developed
and implemented. Sometimes the ideas
work, sometimes they don’t. If they
don’t work, then new plans need to be created.
As the new plans are created they continue to be informed by the
Strategy. The Strategy is constant
(unless something in the environment dramatically changes). The Plans change as necessary to accomplish
the goals.
Strategy = general & constant.
Plans = specific & fluid.
So, in a way, the term “Strategic Plan” is an
oxymoron – a contradiction in terms.
Focus first on creating your Strategy. It will guide you for the coming years. Then let the implementation process begin and
allow the Strategy to guide you as you make your Plans. This is the path toward increased Mission
Impact.
For more
ideas on how you can lead breakthroughs in your organization, follow this blog
and check out my web site at www.SheehanNonprofitConsulting.com You will find free resources you can
download, including a Breakthrough Strategy Workbook that you can download at
no cost. You can also check out my book,
Mission Impact: Breakthrough Strategies
for Nonprofits, and buy it if you are interested. And you can follow Sheehan Nonprofit
Consulting on Facebook.
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