Preparing to Plan: Five Key Questions

Whether businesses are active in strategic planning or considering formal planning for the first time, these five key questions can help frame organizational readiness while bringing needed focus for the planning team. Score each on a scale of 1-5 (1=Disagree, 5=Agree):

1. Strategic planning is given a high priority, and we conduct this annually (preferably off-site) with regularly scheduled quarterly, full-day updates.
2. In our organization, planning follows a clearly defined, structured process, professionally facilitated and recorded.
3. Resources for the plan and for the planning process are allocated and viewed as a necessary investment rather than a discretionary expense.
4. Senior team members consider planning a crucial part of their overall responsibility.
5. Research and preparation for planning is robust and involves all department leaders.

It is not a coincidence that consistently high-performing organizations engage in and place a high premium on formal planning. That this correlates with the best results from the best companies is compelling evidence of the impact structured planning can have on any organization looking to improve their business outcomes.

And formal planning is not a complex, complicated process. A straight-forward, logical, step-by-step approach that is easy to understand and apply and can inspire confidence throughout the organization.

Meeting together to visualize a bigger, better future for the business and for all stakeholders can bring additional benefits. Team chemistry is solidified, and members gain greater understanding of other departments and of organization-wide issues, challenges, and opportunities.

No matter where you are in your planning journey, it is never too early to improve your process and your outcomes. For more information on getting started, contact me at joe@ajstrategy.com.