Strategic Planning The What, Why, Who and How for Crafting a Desired Future Sister Carol Cimino: CSAANYS Sister Carol Cimino: CSAANYS

What is it? ßMission, goals, vision you wish to pursue; ßWhom you will serve; ßOrganization’s role in the larger community; ßKinds of services you will offer; ßResources needed; ßHow you will combine resources, programming, relationships to accomplish the mission.

Present How What Desired Future

Finding the Fit “What do you hope to accomplish?” “What are you capable of doing?” “What is needed and feasible in your area?” Strengths & Weaknesses Opportunities & threats Mission The “Fit”

Why Plan? ßResults ßFocus ßProblem-solving ßBroader ownership ßMarketing ßCommunication

Step 1: Get Organized A.Note why you are planning and any concerns. B. Select a steering group to keep things on track. C. Determine if you need outside help. D. Outline a planning process that fits. E. Get commitment to proceed.

Step 2: Take stock A. Pull together necessary background information. B. Review your past, present and future situation. C. Identify key issues or choices.

SWOT analysis Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats

Take an Audit ßWhat are your assets? ßBuildings, grounds ßPersonnel ßEquipment ßWhat are your liabilities? ßDebts ßAged equipment,buildings ßHistory

HISTORY ßOver the past five years: ßEnrollment patterns ßStaffing patterns ßBad debt ßCosts vs income ßStudent performance ßCurriculum development

ID Critical Areas ßCatholic ID ßCurriculum ßStudent life ßFinances ßRecruitment ßTeacher development ßPR

Step 3: Set direction A. Develop a vision of your organization’s future: Critical issues approach Scenario approach Goals approach Alignment approach B. Determine how to move toward a desired future. C. Develop a first draft of the plan.

LARGE questions ßMission ßVision ßCore values ßKey result areas

CORE VALUES ßThe charity of Christ urges us to: ßRespect ßQuality service ßSimplicity ßAdvocacy for the poor ßInventiveness to infinity

TRY: ßDraft goals ßMission alignment ßStrategic objective ßAction steps

Step 4: Refine and adopt the plan A. Check with constituencies. B. Get commitment C. Ritualize

Step 5: Implement the plan A. Monitor the progress. B. Make adjustments C. Periodically update the plan.

IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING, HOW WILL YOU KNOW YOU GOT THERE?

Timeline ß3-6 months: Identify areas in need of planning, craft goal statements. ßConsult stakeholders, hold focus meetings ß-Assess resources at hand, resources needed. ß3-6 months: Craft objectives, identify timeline. ß-Craft projects, align with mission, assign tasks, design assessment instrument. ß1-2 months: Refine objectives, projects, determine validity of goals, objectives.

Timeline, cont’d. ß3-6 months: Disseminate plan, ritualize plan and monitor progress. ß3-5 years: Monitor progress aligned with assignment of tasks, calendar, re-align projects, plan to plan.

Final thoughts ßStart the planning ßMaintain alignment ßKeep track of your progress ßReport your progress to all stakeholders ßPut out a draft ßCelebrate/ritualize the plan ßMonitor its progress and report it.

REMEMBER: If you fail to plan for the future, you probably won’t have one.