CHECKING THE BOXES
This is probably the most common pitfall - creating a strategic plan because you think you need one. You put a bunch of time and effort into the work. You spend money on facilitators. You go through the steps and check the boxes. You create a document entitled "Strategic Plan" -- only to realize all you've really done is codify your existing efforts -- you've forgotten to answer the most important question: what problem are you solving and how will you solve it?
Strategic planning starts with you envisioning your community's ideal reality and then driving toward the outcomes you want to see. It requires bold thinking to identify and challenge your
assumptions, to get really clear on your direction, and then developing the map to get where you want to go.
ANALYSIS PARALYSIS
When you think your strategic plan is the golden ticket; the exact perfect answer and foolproof blueprint for the next 3-5 years. This perfectionist mindset gets you stuck in data analysis, asking more and more questions, and flagging uncertainty so you never make a meaningful decision for fear of it being a less-than-ideal decision.
There is no such thing as a "perfect" strategy. Strategic planning is forward-thinking and is anchored in a set of assumptions. You gather information and make the best decision you can based on the information you have. If the action you take based on that information doesn't work, you've simply gathered more information to make a better decision moving forward with your next step.
THINKING YOUR DONE WHEN THE PLAN IS DONE
Phew - that was a lot of work - and we did it! Now we've got a beautifully crafted plan, we've shared it with stakeholders, we've posted it on our website and it's prominently displayed on the shelf in the CEO's office....to gather dust!
Strategic planning is not about a document. It's about driving change and creating social impact. A great plan aligns your team around ambitious and inspiring goals and provides a roadmap to bring those goals to life. It's a working plan that should be visited daily and used to drive decisions and spark new ideas that help you get to your destination
Hera Associates specializes in strategic planning and operational excellence. We help build organizational capacity – not dependence – by designing the strategy, structure, and process needed to create net positive businesses that change the world. If you're interested in strategic planning, contact us today. We're here to help!
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