SPiN: Strategic Planning in Nonprofits

Sample Timeline/Workplan for Strategic Planning

©2016 Washington Nonprofits. All rights reserved. www.washingtonnonprofits.org

1

This timeline is provided as a basis for discussion and development of the planning process, and should be modified and customized to meet your organization’s needs. Task Mo.

1 Mo.

2 Mo.

3 Mo.

4 Mo.

5 Mo.

6

DevelopPlanningTimelineandApproach • Consultantreviewofwrittenorganizational

records

• DiscussalternateapproachesandplanformatswithPlanningCommittee;determinedesiredprocessandformatofendproduct

• Writebriefsummaryoforganizationalhistoryandaccomplishments,currentsituation

• Identifyinformationneededforstrategicplanning

• Facilitatediscussiontodeveloplistofstakeholders

• Developaplanforsolicitingstakeholderinput

• CommitteebringsproposaltoBoardforapproval

Review/ValidateMissionandVision

• Approvalofproposedplanningprocess

• Initialdiscussionofmission

• Developorg.values,ifdesired

• Stakeholderinputtomission/5yearvision

• Wordsmithingofmissionasneeded

• Approvalofrevisedmissionstatement&5yrvision

GatherrelevantdataandstakeholderinputSamplestrategieslistedbelow.Decisionaboutdatagatheringneedsandprioritiesshouldbemadeduringdevelopmentoftimelineandapproach.

• Holdconstituent/stakeholderfocusgroups

• Membershipand/orclientsurvey

• Interviewkeypartners/funders

• Preparerelevantfinancialinformation

• Researchothermodels/peerorganizations

SPiN: Strategic Planning in Nonprofits

Sample Timeline/Workplan for Strategic Planning

©2016 Washington Nonprofits. All rights reserved. www.washingtonnonprofits.org

2

Task Mo.1

Mo.2

Mo.3

Mo.4

Mo.5

Mo.6

• Competitivescan/environmentalscan

• Reviewbylawsandcurrentorganizationalsystems,identifygaps

Setgoals/developplanframework(usuallyaccomplishedinthecontextofaboardretreat)

• Reviewdata

• Brainstormgoalsandobjectives

• Cluster/prioritizegoalstoidentify3-5broadgoalareas

• Setbroadgoalsinsupportofmission

• Draftobjectives

Writethestrategicplan

• Identifyleadsforeachportionoftheplan

• Providetemplateforplan

• Providecoachingandfacilitatesmallgroupdiscussionstosupportdevelopmentofplannarrative

• Providetrainingandassistancetodevelopmeasurableoutcomes

• Compile/editdraftstrategicplan

ReviewDraftPlan

• Review,feasibilitytesting,additionalprioritizationifnecessary,clarifyrolesandresponsibilities(howwilltheplangetdone?)

• Financialprojections/analysisifdesired

• Checkforclearoutcomes/ensurethatprogresscanbeshown/evaluatedanddevelopstrategyforongoingboardmonitoringofprogress

• Validateplanwithmembership,ifdesired

Approvaloffinalstrategicplan