1. Identify the problem the plan is intended to solve
Clearly and accurately identifying the problem to solve will allow the right work to be done to successfully address the problem. Strategic planning can be used to identify any or all of the following: an organization’s aspirations (vision), purpose (mission), values (guiding principles), current state (SWOT analysis) and the goals and actions required to achieve the mission and vision.
2. Think about who needs to be involved in developing the plan and their availability to take part
The availability of key people that need to be involved in developing the plan is an important consideration when starting a planning process. If key people are unavailable to take part in the process, the process may go slowly, be incomplete, and may not deliver the intended benefits. Key people might include important stakeholders such as staff, alumni or students.
3. Assess the interest of key players in engaging in the planning process
The willingness of key players to engage in the planning process is another key success factor. For example, a leader who can authorize and fund the plan and has the power and control to implement the plan must be willing to take an active and visible role in developing and championing the plan’s development. Without the leader’s active participation, the plan’s uptake and implementation will be impaired, as people won’t see it as a priority and changes the plan identified won’t have appropriate authorization or funding to be implemented.
