The Strategic Plan is central to our business planning procedures because of the important influence this vision statement (philosophically) driven document has, especially on the other 3 components.
Strategic plans should be characterised by their clarity and brevity - bulk is often a sign that too many operational, financial or marketing items have been included.
In essence, a strategic plan commences with a large vision that is then broken down into smaller, more workable parts.
The following points outline the typical sections and flow of a strategic plan:
Vision Statement
A brief statement that encaspulates a 'pie-in-the-sky', utopic or a nivarna type end-point
Typically should be pitched at least 10 or better 20 years into the future
Best as unmeasureable - avoid numbers - by definition, usually too big to pinpoint
Goals
Large-scale, measureable statements
When achieved, should ensure the vision statement is probably also close to being achieved
Definitiely not achieveable in their own right
Usually contain little or no common elements of each other
Minimum of 2, with 4 to 8 being typical and maximum of 12 or 14 (if necessary)
Aims
Medium-scale, measureable statements
Are sub-components of a particular goal
Not achieveable in their own right
When all the aims of a goal are achieved, the goal is also definitely achieved
Similar or repeated aims under different goals is acceptable
Minimum of 2, with 4 to 8 being typical and maximum of 12 or 14 (if necessary)
Objectives
Small-scale, very specifically measureable statements
Are sub-components of a particular aim
Definitely achieveable in their own right
When all the objectives of an aim are achieved, the aim is also definitely achieved
Similar or repeated objectives under different aims quite common
Minimum of 2, with 4 to 8 being typical and maximum of 12 or 14 (if necessary)
Avoid too much detail - typically where too much operational, financial or marketing issues are included
A typical outlay of our Strategic Plan is:
Title/Cover Page (1 page)
Table of Contents (1 page)
Vision Statement (large font-size to dominates 1 page)
Vision Statement with Goals (1 page)
Each Goal with their relevant Aims (1 page for each Goal - Vision Statement in Header)
Each Aim lead by their relevant Goal, with specific Objectives detailed underneath (at least 1 page per Aim, usually in landscape to accommodate who-what-where-when information - Vision Statement in Footer)
A Strategic Plan draws from and works in with the Marketing, Operational and Financial Plans.
If you wish to know more about how we can low-key-assist with the development of a strategic plan, then click this planning services link.