Strategic Planning

Definitions & Concepts Planning: is a scientific approach for decision making. Planning: is a scientific approach for decision making.  Understand;  Explore; and  Suggest. Policy: Intention, What should be done? Policy: Intention, What should be done? Strategy: What could be done? Strategy: What could be done? Program/Action plan: What will be done? Program/Action plan: What will be done? Reference framework: It sets the context, base and tools for the planning Reference framework: It sets the context, base and tools for the planning

Comprehensive integrated Planning: Integration of multi- disciplines associated with relevant stakeholders participation Comprehensive integrated Planning: Integration of multi- disciplines associated with relevant stakeholders participation Blueprint planning: Planning by technical experts only Blueprint planning: Planning by technical experts only Collaborative planning: Involvement of representatives of key stakeholders’ Collaborative planning: Involvement of representatives of key stakeholders’ Participatory planning: Participation of communities and grassroots in planning process Participatory planning: Participation of communities and grassroots in planning process Mission: includes three major concepts: the objective/purpose, the "business" an organization engages in to achieve this objective/purpose, and a statement of values Mission: includes three major concepts: the objective/purpose, the "business" an organization engages in to achieve this objective/purpose, and a statement of values Vision: a mental image of the successful accomplishment of the mission. Vision: a mental image of the successful accomplishment of the mission.

Relevance:  The degree to which the proposed strategy corresponds to the needs of the beneficiaries.  It concerns whether the results, purpose and overall objectives of the strategy/project are in line with the needs. Impact: The proposed strategy’s impacts on beneficiaries. The proposed strategy’s impacts on beneficiaries. Impact concerns whether there has been a change towards the achievement of the overall objective(s) Impact concerns whether there has been a change towards the achievement of the overall objective(s)

Effectiveness: The degree to which achieving the objectives of the proposed strategy The degree to which achieving the objectives of the proposed strategyEfficiency: The estimated quantity, quality and availability of means and resources required by the proposed strategy. The estimated quantity, quality and availability of means and resources required by the proposed strategy. The presumed cost-effectiveness of the proposed strategy in transforming the means into results. The presumed cost-effectiveness of the proposed strategy in transforming the means into results.Sustainability: To what extent the reflects the social, economic, environmental and institutional concepts. To what extent the reflects the social, economic, environmental and institutional concepts.

Traditional planning: Traditional planning:  Planning process includes: Problem definition; Problem definition; Objectives; Objectives; development of alternatives; development of alternatives; Comparison and selection of the best alternative; Comparison and selection of the best alternative; Implementation; and Implementation; and Monitoring and evaluation. Monitoring and evaluation.

What makes Traditional Planning Strategic? What makes Traditional Planning Strategic?  The major assumption in strategic planning, however, is that an organization must be responsive to a dynamic, changing environment.  Comprehensive, multidisciplinary, integrated, sustainability-led, dynamic;  Specific, achievable, realistic, time bounded;  Indicators-based;  Values-based;  Strategic vision;  Strategic analysis (SWOT).

What are the basic steps in a strategic planning process? Step One: – Step One: Getting Ready – Planning to plan   identify specific issues or choices that the planning process should address   Identify stakeholders and clarify roles (who does what in the process)   create a Planning Committee   identify the information that must be collected to help make sound decisions.

Step Two: Step Two: Establishing a reference framework It shall set the context, base, the general components and mechanisms of the intended strategic plan. Step Three: Step Three: Assessing the existing situation/ Identifying baseline conditions Analysis of internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) as well as external factors (threats and opportunities) based on SWOT analysis. Analysis includes: - Organizational structure - Board of directors - Senior management - Staff and job responsibilities - Administrative and financial procedures and policies - programs, projects and activities - Financial resources - Reporting, monitoring, audit and evaluation - Stakeholders: beneficiaries, governmental bodies, relevant public and civil society organizations and potential relevant donors

Step Four: Step Four: Identifying existing problems Problem tree for baseline conditions Indicators based Step Five : Step Five : Set up goals and objectives Planning horizon Needs assessment Objective Tree (SMART) Indicators based

Step Six : Step Six : Development of Possible Alternative programs Step Seven: Step Seven: Comparison and selection of the best strategic alternative programs or combination/Decision making Step Eight: Step Eight: Mission and Vision A mission statement typically summarizes:   Purpose - why the organization exists, and what it seeks to accomplish   Roles - the main method or activity through which the organization tries it fulfill this purpose   Values - the principles or beliefs that guide an organization's members as they pursue the organization's purpose A vision statement presents an image of what success will look like. With mission and vision statements, an organization has created a shared, coherent idea of what it is strategically planning for.

Step Nine: Formulation of Action plan and budget Step Ten: Reporting, Monitoring, Evaluation and Feed back Step Eleven: Formulation of appropriate organizational structure and job descriptions Step Twelve: Completing the Written Plan  The product of Step Eleven is a strategic plan!

Example- UP Vision: Vision: By 2012 UP is already the leading 21st Century University in Palestine, as a traditional university with assistive eLearning technologies, aiming at bridging the gap between the unique valuable Palestinian Islamic civilization and the futuristic technological era. By 2012 UP is already the leading 21st Century University in Palestine, as a traditional university with assistive eLearning technologies, aiming at bridging the gap between the unique valuable Palestinian Islamic civilization and the futuristic technological era. Mission: Mission: The mission of UP is to advance knowledge and introduce the best distinguished quality Palestinian students inside Palestine and in the Diaspora, armed with the latest high tech skills and professional approach, with an education that combines rigorous academic study, self confidence and open mindedness.

Example- UP Programs Programs 1. Undergraduate Program 2. Post Graduate Program 3. Continuing Education Program 4. IT & e-learning Program 5. Leadership and Technocrat Program 6. Elite Program 7. Research Program 8. Quality Assurance Program 9. Infrastructure Program