What Is Strategic Planning?

Our association will soon begin strategic planning. What does that mean, and what will be happening? Simply stated, strategic planning is a process we use to determine where we're going and how we're going to get there. It includes these steps:

• Assessing our current position. We will identify our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Knowing where we are now will help get us where we want to be in the future.



• Identifying our purpose. This will become our “mission statement.” For example, “Our association exists to ensure the highest possible quality of life for all residents.”



• Setting goals that identify what we need to achieve the mission. Our goals will be specific and measurable, and will provide an indication of how we're doing as we progress.



• Deciding how to meet our goals. We may have to allocate resources, create committees, or undertake other tasks to achieve our goals.



• Developing an action plan. Each step will require a specific action plan. For example, if a committee is needed, who will serve, exactly what tasks will be assigned, and when will the results be needed?



• Monitoring and updating our plan. We'll review the strategic plan regularly. If we learn that our earlier ideas and goals were shortsighted or uninformed, we'll update accordingly.

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