Strategic Plan

A strategic plan provides the managerial direction for an organization in a well-integrated fashion based on core strategies to achieve Mission and Vision. A sustainable non-profit organization will prepare and implement a strategic plan that:

• Identifies strategic directions and responsibilities over a three to five-year timeframe;
  
  
• Involves stakeholders in the planning process;
  
  
• Recognizes and capitalizes on current and emerging trends that affect the organization’s business;
  
  
• Is reviewed and evaluated regularly (at least annually); and
  
  
• Recognizes the needs for performance measures. Depending on the age/stage of the organization, the measures could be found in the Business Plan. A strategic plan will have outcome “targets”. The specifics usually belong in the business and operational plans.

On completion of a Strategic Plan a sustainable organization will look at related plans to determine the fit of all plans and to understand implementation considerations.

The nature and scope of an organization’s programs and services are a direct expression of its Mission and are developed through strategic and business planning. For stakeholders, the programs and services define the nature of the organization’s business.

A Strategic Plan identifies key priorities and directions for an organization to guide it towards a defined future.