the case for strategic planning and the fast track strategic planning system

Strategic planning? Why? How?

The case for planning.Fast Track™ planning.We can help.

© Forrest Consulting, 2011

The case for strategic planning

What is strategic planning?

Finding an ideal future vision for the organization.

What is strategic planning?

Identifying the gap between the vision and the current reality and direction of the organization.

What is strategic planning?

Developing strategies and action steps to close the gap and move the organization toward the vision.

What is strategic planning?

It’s not operations planning or budgeting.

What is strategic planning?

It’s not an event; it’s an on-going process.

What is strategic planning?

It needs to result in action and change.

The case for strategic planning is clear

Organizations that plan do better.

Businesses usingstrategic planning are 12% more profitable.

Planning is even more important now

Every organization needs a current plan and to be executing the plan.

Especially in these challenging times!

But most organizations don’t plan

Strategic planning should be an ongoing

discipline – but typically isn’t.

Of 29,000 startups, 26,000 failed. 67% had no written business plan.

So why don’t many organizations plan?

Most strategic planning approaches focus on delivering a document rather than on actionable insight.

Effective planning is about strategies

Craft a vision and key strategies.Execute strategies to move to the vision.

Effective planning is about action

Without action, assessment, and re-planning, a strategic planning exercise is a waste.

Effective planning is a team effort

Often the plan wrongly states what the leader wants rather than what can emerge from team knowledge, expertise and vision.

Effective planning is led by an outside facilitator

Too often planning fails because the facilitator is tied to the organization, biased by the past and over-influenced by the leader.

Organizations need to plan efficiently

Most strategic planning approaches are over-involved, time-consuming and expensive.

Our gap strategic planning model

Fast Track Strategic Planning System™

Strategic Business Leader’s three-step planning system focuses on what’s most important.

Who plays?

8-12 ideal team size.Leader and direct reports vital to strategy implementation.Can include Board members, other stakeholders.Surveys can solicit other views.

Who facilitates?

Ideal: Skilled, objective outside facilitator.Otherwise, respected, fair Board member or key staff member, who is versed in facilitation and can “stand up” to the leader.Not the leader.

Pre-planning

Organizational survey(s).Environmental scan.

Three steps

1. Vision 2. Gaps 3. Strategies

VisionDevelop a shared vision of the idealized organization in the future. If the organization is the best it can be, best of class, what would it look like and do?

ConsiderTarget customers, key stakeholders.Primary basis for competing: customer intimacy, product leadership or low cost.Major customer expectations.Major products/services.Strategic assets and strengths.Opportunities.

Mission and values?Developing mission or purpose statement and statement of organizational values may facilitate shared vision.Not essential to crafting winning strategies.

Gaps

Identify current status and direction of organization, relative to vision. What are big gaps between reality and vision?

Consider

Key competitors.Major weaknesses.Strategic liabilities.Threats.Resource needs.

StrategiesDevelop strategies to close the gaps:

measurable, major activities.

What big stepswill moveus toward

the vision? What commitments are

needed to achieve the vision?

Determine

Action steps and timelines for each strategy.Who is responsible for achievement of each strategy.What to measure to monitor strategy achievement.Time for planning reassessment.

Post-planning

Get and maintain commitment.Use a planning dashboard.Use planning check-ins.Consider when things change.Plan to re-plan.

Vision: Every organization creates a plan with strategies and action steps leading to greater success. We are committed to rescuing the value of strategic planning.Our planning system and tools work.

We avoid what’s wrong with strategic planning as it has generally been applied.We make effective planning accessible to all.We provide tools, agendas, scripts and more.We offer facilitation as needed.

We can help you find and implement winning

strategies.

725 Kenilworth Avenue, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 USAPhone 630-469-8088, Cell 630-730-9619Email leec@strategicbusinessleader.com Web sites www.forrestconsult.com, www.strategicbusinessleader.com© Forrest Consulting, 2011