How to Make Strategic Planning Work for You
I love a good strategic plan (I know, right?), but strategic planning often gets a bad reputation. Too many organizations spend months crafting a plan, only for it to sit untouched in a binder on a shelf. It’s no wonder people hesitate to invest in the process. But what if strategic planning wasn’t just another exercise in paperwork? What if it was an active, evolving tool that actually drove results?
The truth is, strategic planning doesn’t fail because the concept is flawed; it fails because it’s often approached the wrong way. A successful plan isn’t about creating a document and walking away; it’s about making strategy an ongoing conversation that informs decisions, actions, and priorities every day.
Why Strategic Plans Fail
Before we talk about solutions, let’s address why so many strategic plans don’t live up to expectations:
- Lack of Follow-Through – A plan without implementation is just a wish list. Many organizations don’t assign clear accountability or regular check-ins to track progress.
- Overly Complex Goals – If a strategic plan is full of lofty ambitions but lacks practical steps, it’s difficult to execute. Actionable goals with clear next steps are key.
- No Alignment with Daily Operations – A strategic plan should be integrated into the organization’s daily work. If it feels separate from everyday decision-making, it’s likely to be forgotten.
A Better Approach to Strategic Planning
If you want to break the stigma around strategic planning, it’s time to rethink how you use it. Here’s how to create a plan that actually works:
1. Keep It Actionable
Strategic planning should produce a roadmap, not just a report. Instead of broad, vague goals like “increase community engagement,” set specific, measurable objectives, such as “launch three community outreach events in the next 12 months.” Break each goal into clear steps so that team members know exactly what to do next.
2. Build in Accountability
Assign ownership of different objectives, set deadlines, and schedule regular check-ins to evaluate progress. This ensures that the plan isn’t just discussed once a year but becomes part of ongoing leadership discussions.
3. Make It a Living Document
Your strategic plan should evolve with your organization. Set quarterly or biannual reviews to assess what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to be adjusted. Keeping the plan flexible allows your organization to respond to new challenges and opportunities without feeling like the plan is obsolete.
4. Connect It to Daily Operations
A strategic plan should be more than an abstract vision, but should guide decisions at every level. Leaders should regularly refer back to it when making budget decisions, launching new initiatives, or evaluating staff priorities. If it’s not influencing everyday work, it’s not doing its job.
5. Use It to Say No
A clear strategic plan isn’t just about what you do—it’s also about what you don’t do. Organizations often get sidetracked by opportunities that don’t align with their core goals. A strong plan helps you stay focused and say no to distractions that don’t serve your mission.
Strategic Planning That Actually Works
The key to successful strategic planning isn’t just writing a document—it’s creating a system that keeps your plan relevant, actionable, and integrated into your organization’s daily work. By setting clear goals, building in accountability, making it adaptable, and using it as a decision-making tool, you can break the stigma of the “binder-on-the-shelf” syndrome and turn strategic planning into a powerful driver of success.
If you’re ready to create a strategic plan that won’t collect dust, let’s talk. Schedule a consultation to start building a strategy that works for your organization.
About mkw+co
mkw+co is a boutique consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, executive coaching, marketing, and custom solutions for non-profits and small businesses.
