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Many people see the process of strategic planning as a complex and time-consuming exercise. The intent, of course, is to develop a strategic plan document that represents an organization's vision for the future. Sometimes, though, this plan fails to become a "living" document. After being composed with great effort, it may have little impact on the daily operational decision-making process. So, when engaging in a strategic planning exercise, it is important to consider how to align the organization's strategic vision with the front-line operations of the organization, so that the vision guides decision making at all levels of the organization.
This article will focus on developing a holistic approach to strategic planning. It suggests that a successful approach will view all components in the process as an integrated whole system through a holistic strategic framework. Additionally, the article will focus on reviewing the gaps that can develop in applying a holistic framework in a municipal government environment. It discusses ways to overcome those gaps in order to ensure a successful strategic planning process.
Ensuring a Viable Strategic System
The current environment in which the municipal sector operates is defined by heightened fiscal caution and increased scrutiny of public organizations. Municipalities are under growing pressure to become more responsive to the needs of their constituency. One way to respond to these challenges is to develop a strategic plan that outlines the organization's vision and strategic priorities. And, to successfully implement this, service delivery departments should be aligned with the organization's strategic vision. In this way, a strategic direction can be set for the organization, which can be used to guide daily management decisions, focus performance, and prioritize resource allocation.
The challenge here is to develop a system that allows the organization to meet its long-range goals. This requires a planning system that is integrated into senior management decision making. The first step is to create a strategic plan document that outlines the broad vision, key goals, and strategic initiatives. The next step is to operationalize this plan, by aligning...