Written & Prepared By: Philip C. Hickmon

Strategic Planning: What Is It? Key Pieces To

The “Planning” Puzzle? Why Engage?

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05/03/2023

What Is Strategic Planning?

It is a road map of sorts…This is where organizations large and small, define critical business strategies.Helps to provide direction and focus for all parties.

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.“

~ Peter F. Drucker

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Why Do Organizations “Strategically Plan?”

Organizations that perform at the highest levels have some sort of formalized strategic plan in place

Implementation is critical—if you don’t allocate resources to vital functions you will flounder in attempts to be successful and competitive

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Mission (Purpose)The “mission statement,” is a concise statement of “what business we’re in.”

Usually has both an internal dimension (a description of functional activities, products and services) and an external dimension (an answer to the question, “Who buys it, and why?”).

Defines organization’s “playing field” and sets the stage for the strategies which follow

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Vision determines the DIRECTION of the organization

Vision must reflect values and culture. This is “who we really want to be, which includes our dreams and aspirations.”

A well-articulated vision should always balance the risks of choosing an alternative strategy.

In other words: There must always be room for opportunity which leaves open the possibility of new strategies (emerging)

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ValuesTraits or qualities that are considered worthwhile; they represent an individual’s highest priorities and deeply held driving forces

Core values--Governing Values

In other words: How we want people to behave with each other in the organization, how the organization will treat customers, providers, suppliers and the community

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Not “Strategically Planning” IS Costly

Leading cause of failure in organizations is not having a strategic plan (McKinsey Report)

Logic: Wander aimlessly with priorities changing constantly and employees confused about the purpose of their jobs

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Why is Wayne Gretzky one of pro hockey's all-time greats?

He skated to where the puck was going to be, not where it was

He literally anticipated his teammates' moves and competitors' reactions, he dynamically positioned himself to take the shotThis strategy has been tested (not just theory)--- a system can make it to the top using a similar approach

THE POINT: Failing to look around or ahead is like skating blindfolded. We will never know how close we are to the goal

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Analysis w/o Paralysis Is CRITICAL

Center on developing plans for the future to develop a sober assessment of your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats as an organization

Those areas where you do well will help you to determine what you will attempt to capitalize on.

Those areas where you do not do well may be important areas for improvement strategies

The key is to obtain both external and internal input.

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What Do You Have Without “Sound” Planning

Have to rely upon the short-sightedness of our competition. Expectations are developed in a void.

Don’t simply gather hard data to draw conclusions, soft data counts too.

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Implications Of Building A Framework

Solidifies AlignmentCommunication with key business systems and processes

Gives Organization an Advantage

Strategic planning is a way to make a little of your own luck $$$

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“You cannot understand the parts of a system if you do not investigate the component parts of a whole and their relations in making up the whole.”

~ Unknown

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Why Get “Involved” In A Strategic Planning Process?

Partner and Commit: See it through with them Pay Care to the fundamentals of Strategic planning

Mission: Your purposeVision: Desired future

Food For Thought: Learn before You leap: Don’t assumeFocus Q: Is what we want to do fiscally responsible? What is the worth and value? Keep the communication drivers real and simple

How Do You Partner With Stakeholders?

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Measure EVERYTHIING

To track the implementation schedule, budget and progress, use a measurement system from productivity to rate calculations.

Compare against financial summary

Anything that costs $$ is relevant

Consider using a system that also measures the intangibles--management effectiveness, innovation and potential for further progress

This is actually moving from strategic planning to strategic management

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Let’s Put The Puzzle Together…

Why do we exist as an organization? Our Mission Statement. Where should we start? SWOT Analysis.

Focus on internal and external stakeholders--core processes

Where Are We Going? Vision Statement What would tell us if we arrived? Metrics (measure performance on EVERYTHING—satisfies the business case)

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The End

Some Parting Wisdom……

In my experience, I have realized that strategic planning is a tool, not a substitute for the exercise of judgment by leadership.

05/03/2023