Organization,SOLOMON ASSOCIATES SAM SOLOMON |
Ongoing strategic planning can position an organization to ensure its long term stability; respond to environmental changes and the needs of its constituents and stakeholders; and seize opportunities to advance its mission. We generally engage in a 4-6 months process, with the active participation of board, principal staff members and other key stakeholders, guided by an involved strategic planning committee. Typically, the process may include preliminary board development, as well as data-gathering and analysis (pre-planning phase), followed by a period of committee-based activity (planning phase). In the pre-planning phase, we gather information on agency governance, organizational structure, performance, issues and concerns to encourage informed deliberations. This includes reviewing pertinent agency documents, e.g., previous strategic plans, by-laws, operational plans, financial documents, funding applications and other fundraising data, promotional literature and board minutes. This review is followed by interviews and/or surveys and focus groups with selected board and staff members, clients, funders and leaders of affiliated agencies and other stakeholders to examine community needs to which organization’s mission and programs respond; the external challenges it faces; and the way its mission is communicated and received. At the conclusion of the pre-planning phase, we summarize the data analysis and report significant findings and recommendations. The planning phase engages all appropriate members of the organization. Utilizing data gathered in the initial phase, committee energies are focused on reaching agreement on a mission statement - one that can guide subsequent organizational goal-setting and reflect specific needs to be addressed in the strategic plan. This is followed by an assessment of the constraints, opportunities, resources and environmental changes that can be expected to affect the organization’s planning and program services. We work with the committee to articulate strategic goals and objectives and fashion a fiscal plan to support them. Finally, we draft a strategic plan that embraces the committee’s decisions, complemented by an action plan, an implementation timetable and budget, and an evaluation process for submission to and approval by the full board. Our broad experience in the nonprofit sector
and the depth and range of our professional services bring added value
to the planning and management of an organization’s strategic planning
process.
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