Nonprofit Management Certificate Course Organizational Assessment and Planning: Day 1, Morning Pamela Leland, PhD

Outline for this morning Overview of planning process Overview of planning process –Types and definitions –Strategic versus operational planning –Role of stakeholders –Organizational readiness Getting started … mission, vision, values Getting started … mission, vision, values

Where we head then … Organizational assessment; SWOT analyses (this afternoon) Organizational assessment; SWOT analyses (this afternoon) Moving from assessment to identification of strategic issues and action planning (next week until 2:30) Moving from assessment to identification of strategic issues and action planning (next week until 2:30) Issues of board governance (next week, end of day) Issues of board governance (next week, end of day)

Those Pesky Meanings: “Types” of Planning Long-range planning Long-range planning Master planning Master planning Comprehensive planning Comprehensive planning Strategic planning Strategic planning Operational planning Operational planning Action planning Action planning

More Pesky Words: Three “Levels” of Planning Strategic planning …organizational level >> Operational planning … departmental/program level >> Operational planning … departmental/program level >> Action planning … departmental/staff level >> Action planning … departmental/staff level

Over-arching Definition: “A scheme, program, or method worked out beforehand for the accomplishment of an objective: a plan of attack.” “A scheme, program, or method worked out beforehand for the accomplishment of an objective: a plan of attack.” “A proposed or tentative project or course of action: had no plans for the evening. “A proposed or tentative project or course of action: had no plans for the evening. from

Reasons to Plan

What is strategic planning? A problem solving process A problem solving process Effort to identify your business context Effort to identify your business context Effort to identify your strengths and weaknesses Effort to identify your strengths and weaknesses Effort to identify and assess external trends and processes Effort to identify and assess external trends and processes

continued … Effort to explore possible futures Effort to explore possible futures Effort to determine/select your future path Effort to determine/select your future path Effort to map out future plans and activities Effort to map out future plans and activities Framework for monitoring and assessing organizational performance Framework for monitoring and assessing organizational performance

In summary … Strategic planning is an on-going decision process to ensure that your organization and its mission are in alignment with its environment, i.e., they continue to be relevant and responsive to the needs in the community

And … Operational (or action) planning is the process of identifying and selecting tasks and activities that need to be completed in order to accomplish some larger goal or purpose.

Over-used Words: Strategic Planning vs. Strategic Thinking vs. Building Capacity Around Strategic Concerns

The process of strategic planning (HAND OUT)

Issues to consider in strategic planning (HAND OUT)

Are You Ready to Plan Strategically? Is there sufficient stability in the organization? Is there sufficient stability in the organization? Do you have the leadership you need … from the board and the staff? Do you have the leadership you need … from the board and the staff? Will you commit the necessary resources … now and in the future? Will you commit the necessary resources … now and in the future?

And so we begin …

Stakeholder Analysis Definition of a stakeholder Definition of a stakeholder Role and purpose of the analysis Role and purpose of the analysis Importance of information Importance of information EXAMPLES: HIV/AIDS United Ways Community Foundations

Stakeholders cont. Examples of stakeholders— Reflection and discussion.

Mission vs. Vision Mission is descriptive and focused on the present; Mission offers “what is” Vision is future-oriented and offers “what if” or “what will be”

Mission Statements Identify: –WHAT –WHY –WHERE –And FOR WHOM Note: it does not specify “HOW” … why not?

Vision Statements Invite people’s passion Invite people’s passion Motivate to action Motivate to action Gather a community Gather a community –Gather around what? –Example: cure or no cure?

Values Statements Definition Definition Purpose Purpose Format Format Risks Risks

SMALL GROUP EXERCISE: Assessing your mission and vision statements

Morning Wrap-Up DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: What have been key insights and learning for you? What, if any, are next steps?

Conclusion of Morning Session … Enjoy your lunch!