Strategic Planning Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Are There Any Prerequisites To Begin The Strategic Planning Process?

There are at least two essential things that must be in place before you can begin strategic planning. If they are not in place, if the company is not ready, the strategic planning process will founder on the rocks of frustration.

First, the senior executives (or the manager if we're talking about a work unit) need to commit to do it. That has a special meaning. Some management processes in an organization can be delegated downward, so that senior managers and executives need not be personally involved. That is not the case with strategic planning. While parts of the planning process can be executed without the involvement of the top level of management, not all parts can be. That is, effective strategic planning requires considerable personal involvement from the top. That means a time commitment. That also means a commitment to involve others (which involves time away from doing day-to-day work), and finally, it means commiting to follow through after the planning, and to use their leadership positions to make the plan come alive.

Second, strategic planning requires that there be at least one, and preferably several people who understand the strategic planning process well enough to lead others through it. Strategic planning is a rather complex process, with a lot of inter-relationships among the parts. Someone has to have the knowledge to help others do it. That knowledge may come from within, if it's available, or from an external source (i.e. a consultant hired for the purpose).

See Also: Do We Need To Hire An Expert Strategic Planning Consultant?