What is strategic planning? Where can I learn more about it?
According to the TCC Group, strategic planning is:
"a tool for transforming and revitalizing corporations, government agencies and nonprofit organizations....A successful strategic planning process will examine and make informed projections about environmental realities to help an organization anticipate and respond to change by clarifying its mission and goals; targeting spending; and reshaping its programs, fundraising and other aspects of operations."
Carter MacNamara further states that strategic planning can use a variety of perspectives, models, and approaches. A strategic plan also can vary in duration (e.g., one, five, or ten years); depth, and length (i.e., number of pages). How it develops will depend on the organization's leadership, culture, size, complexity of its environment, the planners' expertise, among other factors.
See also our related Knowledge Base articles:
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Staff-recommended websites
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S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation
Hiring a Strategic Planning Consultant
This guide can help you identify the strategy approach most suited to your needs, and the qualities to look for when engaging a strategy consultant.
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The Bridgespan Group
How Nonprofits and NGOs Can Get Real Value from Strategic Planning
Shares four essential elements common to most strategic planning approaches and a number of common pitfalls to avoid. Also includes Strategic Planning at a Glance, a one-page guide to the strategic planning process.
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Free Management Library
Basic Descriptions of the Different Strategic Planning Models
There is no one perfect strategic planning process, or model, to use the same way all the time with every organization. Briefly describes several different models of strategic planning, along with basic guidelines for choosing each.
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National Council of Nonprofits
Strategic Planning for Nonprofits
Offers a variety of tools and resources to prepare a strategic plan.
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Staff pick
TCC Group
Ten Keys to Successful Strategic Planning
This briefing paper shares ten important keys to promote more successful strategic planning.
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Staff pick
Free Management Library
All About Strategic Planning
Strategic planning determines where an organization is going over the next year or more, how it's going to get there, and how it'll know if it got there or not. This overview discusses the variety of perspectives, models, and approaches used in strategic planning.
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Staff pick
Nonprofit Works Inc.
Templates, Worksheets, Guides, and Sample Documents
Contains downloadable templates, worksheets, and sample documents for planning, budgets, fund development, communications, and board training.
Staff-recommended books
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Success Planning for Nonprofits: Evidence-Based Strategic Planning
Find: Amazon | Free eBook
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The Nonprofit Strategy Revolution
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Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations: A Practical Guide for Dynamic Times
Find: Amazon | Free eBook
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Creating Your Strategic Plan: A Workbook for Public and Nonprofit Organizations
Find: Amazon | Free eBook