Strategic Planning Process

Before embarking on the development of a strategy, I use this diagram to remind myself of all the factors I need to take into account. Much of it is

based on learning from obtaining an MBA through the Open University and my own pre-MBA experience. It has been developed for my own particular

area of work (public sector). It’s a guide and is not prescriptive!John Barrett 22 June 2011

Organisational Purposes and current strategy

Strategic opportunities and

threats

Identify OptionsStrategic decision making

Analyse External environment

Analyse capabilities and

resources

Human Resources•education, training, professional qualifications•flexibility•social and collaborative skills•commitment and loyalty•culture

•Sociological•Technological•Environmental•Political•Legal•Economic

Financial Resources•budgets

Physical Resources•Offices•Customer Contact

Technological Resources• Systems & Infrastructure

Reputation•IIP etc.•Innovation•benchmarking

•Opportunities•Threats

•Strengths•Weaknesses

•Current Strategy•Business Plans

•Stakeholder views•How can our strengths be exploited?•How can weaknesses be corrected throughacquiring and developing resources and capabilities?

Implement

•Structure•Culture•Systems

Four elements of a successful strategy•Simple and consistent vision and goals•Thorough appreciation of the external environment•Acute awareness of available resources•Effective implementation

STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS

Test of Choice•Suitability - consistency with Environmental and R&C analysis•Feasibility - how will it work in practice and how difficult will it be to achieve?•Acceptability - will stakeholders expectations be met?

Capabilities• staff development, performance management, relationship building, complaints handling, customer support, etc.