Strategic planning is a process not an event – resulting in a blueprint outlining strategies that will enable your organization to fulfill its mission. The process gives staff and board members the opportunity to build consensus on the mission, vision and values of the organization. A good strategic plan will help your organization prepare for the future, improve the process of decision making, and anticipate and manage change. As part of ESC’s strategic planning process, we ask and help our nonprofit clients answer the questions: “Where are you now?” “Where do you want/need to go to achieve your mission?” and “What will you do to get there?”
ESC consultants break the process down into three key phases: an environmental analysis, assessing challenges and setting goals, and developing an action plan.
- Environmental analysis: This is also known as the discovery phase. Input is solicited from internal and external stakeholders including staff and board members, competitors, donors, etc. Information can be gathered through interviews, online surveys, focus groups, and internet research. It is important that a full range voices are heard and that the process be collaborative to ensure buy-in when it is time to finalize and implement the plan.
- Vision and Goals: In this phase, ESC consultants facilitate discussions in which the results of the environmental analysis inform a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis and brainstorming session to develop scenarios and high-level goals. The SWOT analysis can be tremendously helpful as it looks at both the inner workings of an organization and its position in the marketplace.
- Action plan: In this phase, the consulting team helps the client develop strategies, action items, and timelines and costs for achieving the selected goals. The plan identifies who is responsible for each goal and anticipated outcomes so that the organization can measure progress against these goals.
While the strategic planning process can be conducted internally by the executive director/president and board, consultants can bring an objective look at the challenges facing an organization. ESC offers teams of consultants who bring decades of experience, proven methodologies, and a fresh perspective. By guiding the strategic planning process, ESC consultants conduct an honest assessment and help senior leaders challenge the status quo – two key components of an effective strategic planning process. The end result? A well thought out and executed strategic plan that can help keep your organization on track to achieve your goals and objectives while fulfilling your mission.
If you’re interested in learning more about how ESC can help your nonprofit develop a strategic plan, complete our inquiry form or reach out to Lynn Post, Director of ESC Consulting, at lpost@empowersuccesscorps.org.
