The Five-Step Spiral of Inclusive Strategic Planning
0. Getting Ready for Planning and Deciding to Plan
(could be 1 month, a quarter, or much longer):
This stage includes determining that there is a desire to do planning, researching planning processes, considering whether you will need consultant support, determining the budget for planning if relevant, and allocating the needed time and budget.
Kickoff
(3–4 weeks): This is the contracting and design phase of the project, which includes determining who will be involved in strategic planning in terms of decision-making, as well as whose opinions will be solicited in data gathering.
Discovery
(4–8 weeks): This step includes conducting interviews, focus groups, surveys (if relevant), and the fiscal review. The outcome is a Discovery document that summarizes what has emerged in the data gathering process.
Prioritization
(days-long or virtual retreat): This step includes convening a reflection and visioning retreat, where we reflect on the Discovery Report, create a practical vision, review the mission statement, and build draft goals. In our experience, this is intense “brain work,” so people do get tired after a day and a half—this is our recommended maximum.
Planning
(4–6 weeks): This step includes continuing to build upon the work done at the retreat and creating one-year implementation plans for all departments.
5. Implementation
(1–4 months): This step includes wrapping up closing details, including the creation of a public-facing version of the strategic plan. This stage may include the creation of an internal and external communication plan about the new strategic plan.
Work With The Ross Collective
The Ross Collective partners with nonprofits and public-serving organizations to design and facilitate Inclusive Strategic Planning processes that reflect their values and goals.
If your organization is considering strategic planning and wants a process that builds clarity, trust, and action, we invite you to learn more about our approach or get in touch.
The Inclusive Strategic Planning process includes five stages: Kickoff, Discovery, Prioritization, Planning, and Implementation.
Although we have seen strategic planning portrayed as a linear process, we intentionally use a spiral to illustrate the process because information and reflection from each stage impacts the other stages. Getting to the “end” of the Inclusive Strategic Planning process will in some ways bring you back to the beginning.