Strategic planning is an ongoing process of bringing an organization’s stakeholders together to identify current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, anticipate trends, and create a plan for its future. Through the strategic planning process, an organization refines its mission and vision, long-term goals that inform the organization’s operational goals, and outlines the actions and milestones that are necessary to achieve these goals. These goals are put into a document called a strategic plan to be shared internally and more broadly. (Adapted from www.betterup.com)  

Yes, a strategic plan provides a roadmap for the organization’s future and gives a clear sense of direction that guides the work of staff and board and keeps everyone accountable. By having a plan in place, an organization is better equipped to succeed. 

Typically, this is done every three-to-five years depending on the unique needs of your organization. The strategic planning process involves a significant time commitment for preparation, critical thinking, collaboration, and follow-up activities that all require the board and executive director to be fully engaged. 

It depends. Although SARC’s Strategic Planning Session is one day (6-6.5 hours), the entire strategic planning process takes time, as there is work to do before and after the session.

If your organization has a timeline in mind, be sure to build in a 3-4 month timeframe to work with SARC through the process; however, it may take your organization longer to continue the work on its own.