Strategic planning is BIG PICTURE thinking for your organization.  A sound strategic plan for your organization will include:

• A comprehensive mission statement covering the major functions and operations of the organization;
• General objectives for the major functions and operations of the organization;
• A description of how the goals are to be achieved, including a description of the operational processes, skills and technology, and the human, capital, information, and other resources required to meet those goals;
• A description of how the goals included in the plan are related to the general objectives in the strategic plan;
• An identification of those key factors external to the organization and beyond its control that could significantly affect the achievement of the general objectives; and
• A description of the program evaluations used in establishing or revising general objectives, with a schedule for future program evaluations.

     A STRATEGIC PLAN should cover a period of not less than five years forward from the fiscal year in which it is submitted, and should be updated and revised at least every three years.

     When developing a strategic plan, the organization should consult with the entities potentially affected by or interested in such a plan and resolve any conflict of opinions prior to finalizing the plan.

An action plan is an integral part of a strategic plan:
     An action plan states the activities necessary for each objective and goal listed in the strategic plan.  They are step-by-step details of how the goal will be accomplished, who will accomplish each action, and when each action will be complete.  Action plans are broken down into very detailed steps to assist in monitoring the accomplishment of goals.  Once the objectives and goals are identified and approved by a board of directors, organizations are left to their own creativeness to accomplish the goal within the timeframe stated. 

Sample of how a strategic goal would be broken down into an action plan.
    
     Goal 1-A  To be accomplished by (Name of Person)

ACTION:  Assign the goal to a department or individual who is responsible for managing and reaching the goal.

• Break the actions necessary to reach the goal into step-by-step activities.
• For each activity state who is responsible for accomplishing it.
• For each activity state in detail how this activity will be accomplished and how it helps to meet the goal.
• For each activity state when it will be completed.

      Goal 1-B  To be accomplished by (Name of Person)

ACTION:  Assign the goal to a department or individual who is responsible for managing and reaching the goal.

• Break the actions into activities that are necessary to reach the goal.
• For each activity state who is responsible for accomplishing it.
• For each activity state in detail how this activity will be accomplished and how it helps to meet the goal.
• For each activity, state when it will be completed.
• Estimate the cost of each activity.
• State a funding source(s) for each activity.

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