What Is a Strategic Plan?

Strategic Planning

Introduction

The following guide has been developed by Netball Queensland to assist Associations in formulating and/or updating a strategic plan.

What is a Strategic Plan?

A strategic plan is a road map of where your Association aims to go and the necessary steps to take to get there. It is a process of determining long term goals and identifying the best approach for achieving those goals. Strategic plans are generally developed for a three to five year timeframe but should be reviewed annually as objectives and values of the Association continue to change.

Why Plan?

Planning is an essential part of Association management. Without adequate planning, Associations tend to only deal with immediate problems and fail to consider future needs. It is important that everyone is aware of the Association’s key objectives and is working towards the same goals. Below are some reasons why Associations should be actively planning:

• To prioritise goals and evaluate performance of the Association.
• To take opportunities and make decisions which have been identified to match goals and objectives.
• Allow decision-makers within your Association to anticipate future events and to identify any pitfalls in advance.
• Allow for more effective interaction with external bodies, e.g.Netball Queensland, government, councils, sponsors, and funding organisations.
• Foster cohesion amongst members of the Association;i.e.members involved in the future path of the Association.
• Become proactive rather than reactive; to clarify Association purposes and direction.
• Adopt a more systematic approach to change and reduce resistance to change.
• Initiate and influence outcomes in favour of the Association.
• Increase awareness of the Association’s operating environment (e.g.competitors, government policy etc).
• Improve organisational control and coordination of activities.
• Educate and motivate key personnel.

Steps to Developing a Strategic Plan

Step 1: Assemble a team of key personnel and collect information

• Form a Planning Subcommittee who should meet separately and on a regular basis, to carry out the requirements of the strategic planning processes.
• Determine a planning process; this process is on-going. Outlinethe role of the planning committee pre and post plan development.
• Identify key people that should be involved in the planning process.
• Collect and disseminate relevant information. This could be in the form of a questionnaire, workshopand/or club health checklist. The more members who are consulted the more the strategic plan will reflect the true direction of the Association.
• Appoint an external facilitator. The process should be driven by an experienced facilitator preferably not involved in the Association, e.g.Association Support Officer
• Set aside a specific time-slot to hold regular planning meetings. The duration will depend on the size andcomplexity of your Association.

Step 2: Analysis

• Review previous strategies or outcomes. What has not worked? How can things be done differently?
• Undertake an analysis of trends within the sport and recreation industry (other sporting organisations/netball groups/netball Associations). How could these trends affect your association in future?
• Analysis of your member’s needs. What were the results of the questionnaires/workshop/checklist?
• Use the results from the member analysis to identify all Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT analysis) that influence the Association.
• Undertake a unified planning approach – developAssociation Values, Vision and Mission Statement (review if these already exist). Use the information from the SWOT analysis to develop SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely). Try to arrange them in categories, e.g. management, operational, marketing, and financial.
• Draft an action plan (see appendix for a template).

Step 3: Develop Your Strategic Plan

Put together all the information collected in steps 1 & 2 into a document. Below is an example of a Strategic Plan layout. You should add and/or delete sections to fit the needs, size and structure of your Association.

Strategic Plan Layout:

1)A cover sheet should include:

• name of the Association and logo (if applicable)
• Association address
• contact information – telephone, facsimile and e-mail
• date it was approved and review date

2)Table of contents:This needs to be accurate to reflect the details of the document to the reader.

3)Association history: history of milestones, past successes in meeting objectives of the Association

4)The vision of the Association: Refers to the values and the mission statement.

5)SWOT analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

6)A list of identified goals over the long term which address the key issues outlined in the SWOT analysis. Goals can be best described as the ‘destination points’ being aimed for. They act as the reference guide for the decision making. They give you a clear picture of where your Association wishes to be in the long term.Format goals in key areas,e.g. Management, marketing, operational, financial, etc.

7)Action Plan:Tables identifying key performance areas, goals, actions,timeline etc. Formatting the information in tables makes it easy to read and understand. See appendix 1 for a basic action plan template.

8)Evaluation: Explain how your association will monitor progress and performance. The strategic plan will need to be reviewed yearly. Who will be responsible for ensuring the strategic plan is adhered to and updated accordingly?

Step 4:Implement Your Strategic Plan

Give your members the opportunity to comment on a draft strategic plan. Ask if it clearly represents the Association’s goals and directions and make adjustments where necessary. Ensure key stakeholders agree and adopt the strategic plan at a Management or General Meeting. Communicate and promote the Association’s new strategic plan. Enable members to voice their opinions and vote on any changes to the document at aGeneral Meeting.

References:

Aus sport commission – The Planning Process

Aus Sport Commission – Characteristics of Strategic Planning

Aus Sport Commission – Planning in Sport

Aus Sport Commission – Club planning

Our community – strategic and operational planning

Appendix 1 – Action Plan Template