Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations, 5th Edition

PART TWOKEY STEPS IN THINKING, ACTING, AND LEARNING STRATEGICALLY

The 10-step strategic planning process is presented in detail in Part Two. It is a reasonably orderly, deliberative, and participative approach to facilitating strategic thought, action, and learning by key decision makers. (Note that in Chapter 2, I will say that the steps are not really steps but instead are more like occasions for dialogue and deliberation around an agenda summarized by the “step's” name.)

Chapter 3 covers the initial agreement phase, the plan for planning. Chapter 4 focuses on clarifying organization mandates and mission. Chapter 5 describes how to assess an organization's strengths and weaknesses, as well as the opportunities and challenges it faces. Chapter 6 discusses strategic issues—what they are, how they can be identified, and how to critique them. Chapter 7 is devoted to formulating and adopting effective strategies and plans.

The final three chapters in Part Two move from planning to management. Chapter 8 covers development of the organization's vision of success, a description of what the organization should look like as it fulfills its mission, meets its mandates, and achieves its full potential for creating public value. Chapter 9 focuses on implementing strategies and plans and Chapter 10 on reassessing them.

An organization that completes this Strategy Change Cycle should be well on its way toward improving and maintaining its effectiveness, pursuing its mission, meeting its ...