Strategic planning is a process for systematically examining the past and present and making decisions about the desired future and how to achieve it. Strategies for Change assists an organization’s strategic planning by exploring preconceived ideas about the boundaries of the system and how to actively engage diverse stakeholders in both planning and implementation. In addition to experiencing the intrinsic value of setting and working towards a common future, our clients discover that strategic planning can be a powerful engine for organization learning and relationship building.

Strategic planning processes typically begin with a discussion about the organization’s readiness for planning and what people need and want to accomplish. Involving people who represent diverse points of view within the system early on enriches the quality of these discussions and builds their commitment to the planning. In turn, the consultant is well positioned to design and facilitate a planning process that is aligned with the unique circumstances and culture of the groups and/or organizations we work with.

Read about how a regional human services organization developed a board-staff partnership for planning.

Read an article about a highly participatory, ‘whole system’ planning process Strategies for Change facilitated in Mexico.