Guide to writing a Strategic Plan

Step One - Getting Ready
An organization that determines it is indeed ready to begin strategic planning must perform five tasks to pave the way for an organized process:
• identify specific issues or choices that the planning process should address
• clarify roles (who does what in the process)
• create a Planning Committee
• develop an organizational profile
• identify the information that must be collected to help make sound decisions

Step Two - Articulating Vision & Mission
• A Vision Statement outlines what the organization wants to be. It concentrates on the future. It is a source of inspiration. It provides clear decision-making criteria. Vision Statements define the organizations purpose, in terms of the organization’s values rather than bottom line measures (values are guiding beliefs about how things should be done.) The vision statement communicates both the purpose and values of the organization. For employees, it gives direction about how they are expected to behave and inspires them to give their best. Shared with customers, it shapes customers’ understanding of why they should work with the organization.
• A Mission Statement tells you the fundamental purpose of the organization. It concentrates on the present. It defines the customer and the critical processes. It informs you of the desired level of performance. A Mission Statement defines the organization's purpose and primary objectives. Its prime function is internal – to define the key measure or measures of the organization’s success – and its prime audience is the leadership team and shareholders. Step Three - Assessing the Situation
Once an organization has committed to why it exists and what it does, it must take a clear-eyed look at its current situation.
Remember, that part of strategic planning, thinking, and management is an awareness