Strategic Planning

The What, Why, Who and How for Crafting a Desired Future

Sister Carol Cimino:

CSAANYS

Sister Carol Cimino:

CSAANYS

What is it?

Mission, goals, vision you wish to pursue;Whom you will serve;Organization’s role in the larger community;Kinds of services you will offer;Resources needed;How you will combine resources,

programming, relationships to accomplish the mission.

Present

How

What

Desired Future

Finding the Fit“What do you hopeto accomplish?”

“What are you capable of doing?”

“What is needed andfeasible in your area?”

Strengths &Weaknesses

Opportunities &threats

MissionThe “Fit”

Why Plan?

ResultsFocusProblem-solvingBroader ownershipMarketingCommunication

Step 1: Get Organized

A.Note why you are planning and any concerns.B. Select a steering group to keep things on track.C. Determine if you need outside help.D. Outline a planning process that fits.E. Get commitment to proceed.

Step 2: Take stock

A. Pull together necessary background information.

B. Review your past, present and future situation.

C. Identify key issues or choices.

SWOT analysis

Strengths Weaknesses

Opportunities Threats

Take an Audit

What are your assets?Buildings, groundsPersonnelEquipment

What are your liabilities?DebtsAged equipment,buildingsHistory

HISTORY

Over the past five years:Enrollment patternsStaffing patternsBad debtCosts vs incomeStudent performanceCurriculum development

ID Critical Areas

Catholic IDCurriculumStudent lifeFinancesRecruitmentTeacher developmentPR

Step 3: Set direction

A. Develop a vision of your organization’s future:Critical issues approachScenario approachGoals approachAlignment approach

B. Determine how to move toward a desired future.C. Develop a first draft of the plan.

LARGE questions

MissionVisionCore valuesKey result areas

CORE VALUES

The charity of Christ urges us to:RespectQuality serviceSimplicityAdvocacy for the poorInventiveness to infinity

TRY:

Draft goalsMission alignmentStrategic objectiveAction steps

Step 4: Refine and adopt the plan

A. Check with constituencies.B. Get commitment C. Ritualize

Step 5: Implement the plan

A. Monitor the progress.

B. Make adjustments

C. Periodically update the plan.

IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING,

HOW WILL YOU KNOW YOU GOT THERE?

Timeline

3-6 months: Identify areas in need of planning, craft goal statements.

Consult stakeholders, hold focus meetings -Assess resources at hand, resources needed.3-6 months: Craft objectives, identify timeline. -Craft projects, align with mission, assign tasks,

design assessment instrument.1-2 months: Refine objectives, projects, determine

validity of goals, objectives.

Timeline, cont’d.

3-6 months: Disseminate plan, ritualize plan and monitor progress.

3-5 years: Monitor progress aligned with assignment of tasks, calendar, re-align projects, plan to plan.

Final thoughts

Start the planningMaintain alignmentKeep track of your progressReport your progress to all stakeholdersPut out a draftCelebrate/ritualize the planMonitor its progress and report it.

REMEMBER:

If you fail to plan for the future, you probably won’t have one.