Questions and Answers

We have made several failed attempts at Strategic Planning in the past. How can we improve our chances of success?

Successful strategic planning requires leadership, commitment and discipline. This starts with the commitment of the CEO. Strategic Planning must be one of CEO 's top priorities and he or she need to be actively involved in the process. A situation where the CEO delegates the process to others and is only interested in 'a summary of the results' is doomed to failure. A sound planning process is also essential. While an unstructured approach to Strategic Planning may yield some benefits it is likely to be deficient in its basic underpinnings. It is likely to be steered in a particular direction by the most vocal or strongest willed and may lack the buy-in required for successful implementation. A robust process will assure that the team covers all of the necessary bases and will lead to much better decision-making. Finally, a strong culture of discipline is required to keep the plan and the planning process on track on an ongoing basis. The planning activities must be integrated into day-to-day management life so that Strategic Planning becomes something that is done in the normal course of business rather than as an isolated event.

Center for Simplified Strategic Planning, Inc. respects your privacy. We do not rent, sell or exchange email addresses.

Center for Simplified Strategic Planning, Inc.
2219 Packard - Suite 13
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

For permission to reprint any article from Course and Direction, or if you would like to submit an article for inclusion in Course and Direction, please contact the editor, Elizabeth Tidd, at .