Strategic Planning Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Are There Any Best Practices For Successful Strategic Planning Implementation?

There are, indeed, some characteristics or best practices that seem to result in successful strategic plan implementation. Here's a short list of practices, suggested by Kathleen Paris, from University of Wisconson-Madison, and based on her observations about planning implementation within a university setting.

1. involving faculty, staff, and students (or employees) in plan development
2. holding meetings to get input before planning
3. holding meetings to get input on draft strategic plans
4. collective review of data to identify measures of success
5. setting short-term goals in “bite-size” pieces in addition to longer-term goals
6. monitoring progress through periodic checks

Notice the emphasis on involvement of staff, not just at the beginning, but throughout the entire strategic planning and implementation process. Also note the flow implied, particularly by items 5 and 6, which are normally part of the extension of strategic planning into tactical or operational planning.

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