Is your strategic plan not living up to expectations? Perhaps it feels like your organization is merely going through the motions, without making real progress toward your mission.
When a strategic plan doesn’t seem to work as intended, it’s crucial to pause and consider why. It could be that external changes have outpaced your plan’s assumptions, or perhaps internal misalignments are hindering effective implementation. By understanding what’s not working—and why—you can steer your nonprofit back to a course that not only aligns with your current realities but also reinvigorates your team’s commitment to your mission. Discover the critical signs that your strategic plan requires a tune-up or a total overhaul, along with practical steps on how to address these issues.
Do You Need a New Plan?
Nonprofits operate in dynamic environments where change is constant. Major changes, such as new leadership or a considerable shift in resources or community needs, can fundamentally alter an organization’s trajectory. If your nonprofit has recently experienced such changes, it’s important to take the time to assess whether your current strategic plan still aligns with your new circumstances. New leaders may bring a different perspective on the organization’s culture, priorities, or direction that needs to be reflected in its vision, values, strategic goals, and activities. Similarly, significant changes to the available resources or community needs can shift your focus, necessitating new goals and approaches.
In addition to needed changes, external factors can also dramatically impact your nonprofit’s trajectory. Changes in the economic landscape, funding opportunities, political climate, or demographics might mean that your current plan no longer fits the reality in which you operate. Conducting a thorough environmental scan can help you understand whether your strategic plan challenges significantly change your circumstances. If so, you would probably benefit from a new plan to navigate these dynamic waters effectively.
Do You Need to Implement the Current Plan Differently or Better?
Sometimes, the issue isn’t with the plan itself but with how it’s being implemented. If your strategic goals remain relevant and appropriate, but progress is lacking, consider whether you need to revise your strategies or tactics. Are the tactics outlined in your plan actionable and clear? Is there a specific person or team responsible for each task, and do you have clarity about how progress will be measured? Have resources been adequately allocated, and is there a timeline for completion? These elements are crucial for effective implementation.
Or perhaps your tactics are well developed but there is a disconnect between strategic planning and your day-to-day operations. Your strategic plan cannot be effective if it is a standalone document. It should be thoughtfully integrated into your annual operational planning. This integration ensures that your strategic goals are reflected in your daily activities and that progress is regularly monitored and milestones are checked off or adjusted as needed throughout the year. Establishing a process for this integration can make a significant difference in achieving your long-term objectives.
Did You Identify the Things You are Going to Stop Doing?
One of the toughest challenges in strategic planning is deciding what to stop doing. It’s natural to want to pursue every good idea and initiative, but spreading your team too thin can lead to burnout and diminished effectiveness. It’s essential to critically evaluate your activities and identify those that are not contributing significantly to your mission or strategic goals.
Some activities likely need to be deprioritized, and others may need to be stopped altogether. This doesn’t mean that these activities were bad ideas; it simply means that resources can be better utilized elsewhere. When making these decisions, talk to your team about why these decisions were made to ensure that everyone understands the reasons behind them and is on board with the changes. Clear communication and shared understanding are key to successfully navigating these tough choices.
Conclusion
As you reflect on the effectiveness of your strategic plan, it’s important to acknowledge that a static document simply cannot account for the dynamic nature of the nonprofit world. Continuous adaptation and reassessment are key to maintaining alignment with your mission and environment. By embracing the need for regular reviews, being willing to implement changes, and recognizing when to let go of outdated initiatives, your nonprofit can navigate through uncertainties with confidence. Remember, the goal isn’t just to have a plan, but to have a plan that works effectively towards accomplishing your mission. Stay proactive, stay informed, and keep your strategy as dynamic as the environment in which you operate. Keep your mission moving forward, no matter what changes come your way.
In this complex journey, partnering with an outside expert can provide fresh perspectives and clarity. An experienced strategic planning consultant can help illuminate blind spots, challenge existing assumptions, and draw out the most impactful strategies to ensure your planning process is as thorough and effective as possible.
At BWF, we stand ready to assist you with strategic planning. Please reach out to sales@bwf.com. It’s a privilege to help.
