Strategic Planning guides a group in thoroughly examining its current and past operation, evaluating its effectiveness in light of its mission, setting significant goals for the future, and developing specific plans to achieve those goals. A strategic plan allows an organization to accomplish more than it otherwise would, to optimize the use of its current resources, make operational decisions which lead to strategic ends, and increase future resources.
Specifically, strategic planning seeks to address the following questions:
- What is the mission of the organization and what are the particular activities, events, and services (the program) through which that mission is realized?
- How is the program designed, planned and evaluated?
- How are persons invited and empowered to become involved in the organization, as participants, donors, volunteers, and leaders?
- How can the structures and systems (financial, personnel, accountability) of the organization align its resources in order to accomplish the mission?
- What resources, site features, and facilities are necessary to support the vision for ministry?
Run River offers two primary forms of strategic planning: Master Planning and Core Process Planning. A Visioning process can also greatly help an organization which may not be ready for a full strategic planning process. If your organization is facing significant questions regarding future sustainability, you may be well served by a Viability Study.