STRATEGIC PLANNING DQ & 2 responses

STRATEGIC PLANNING

Where do you see yourself in 5 years, or 10? Where are you now, and where do you want to be? What kinds of activities and accomplishments will you have achieved? These questions, often used to explore personal career trajectories and long-term professional goals, can also be utilized when formulating an organizationàstrategic plan. For such planning to be successful, organizational leaders and other stakeholders, including community members, clients, and board members, must come together to give practical consideration to resources, services, and the environment in which the organization is situated. From this view, a path can be cultivated. 

In this Discussion, you define strategic planning and its value, while also anticipating challenges that might come up during the process.

Readings

Strategic planningLinks to an external site.. (2022). In Salem Press encyclopedia. Salem Press.

University of Kansas Center for Community Health and Development. (n.d.). Section 1. An overview of strategic planning or “VMOSA” (vision, mission, objectives, strategies, and action plans)Links to an external site.. Community Tool Box. https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/structure/…

• To prepare:

Review the Learning Resources on strategic planning.

Consider what strategic planning is and why it might be valuable to social work organizations.

Reflect on problems that might arise during the planning process.

BY DAY 3

Post a description of strategic planning in social work organizations. What are the elements of a strategic plan? How is it useful to leadership and to the organization as a whole? Finally, identify and explain one potential problem that could arise during the strategic planning process.

BY DAY 6

Respond to at least two colleagues by providing additional ways in which strategic planning can be useful. Also explain how the problem your colleague identified could be avoided or mitigated during strategic planning.

• Response 1 to D.D.

Strategic Planning

According to Strategic Planning (2023), social work organizations use strategic planning to determine their current situation, identify areas for improvement, and chart a course of action to achieve their goals. The strategic plan can provide insight into whether or not the goals set forth are being met. It can also be used in social work organizations to increase involvement and improve support and communication (Strategic Planning, 2023). Elements of a strategic plan include articulating the company’s mission, vision, and long-term objectives. The Harvard model originated the concept of the “SWOT analysis,” in which a company’s leaders systematically assess their organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. (Strategic Planning, 2023).

Usefulness in Leadership

According to Strategic Planning (2023), Entrepreneurs and business management professionals use many strategic planning models to chart their forward courses. A strategic plan gives the business a clear sense of direction, allowing leadership and employees to prioritize their efforts and resources while ensuring everyone is working toward the same goals. Strategic Planning (2023) states that leadership can better understand the organization’s current situation because strategic planning highlights that firms should seek to optimize their strengths, reduce their weaknesses, capitalize on opportunities, and mitigate dangers. A strategic plan includes regularly monitoring and evaluating progress toward goals and objectives, enabling leadership to adjust the plan as needed. This ensures that the organization continually improves and adapts to changes in the environment. Businesses should carefully consider their strategic objectives and then support these goals with reasonable, well-researched, quantitative criteria for evaluating results to get the most out of strategic planning. (Strategic Planning, 2023)

Potential Dilemmas

One potential problem during the strategic planning process is resistance to change. According to Strategic Planning (2023), employees and stakeholders may resist changes in the organization’s direction or priorities, mainly if these changes are significant or involve a departure from the status quo. This resistance may manifest in various ways, including skepticism about the need for change, fear of the unknown, or concerns about the impact of the changes on their role or the organization as a whole. According to Strategic Planning (2023), resistance to change is a challenge for social work organizations during the strategic planning process because they are typically complex systems with multiple stakeholders, each with their interests, needs, and perspectives. As a result, changes to the organization’s direction or priorities may be met with resistance from employees, stakeholders, or other external parties. Furthermore, Strategic Planning (2023) highlights that social work organizations often have a mission-driven culture deeply rooted in their values and beliefs. Any proposed changes perceived as contradicting or undermining these values and beliefs may be met with resistance from employees and stakeholders, further complicating the strategic planning process.

References

Strategic planning. (2023). Salem Press Encyclopedia.

Response 2 to S,V,

description of strategic planning in social work organizations. 

• Strategic planning for an organization within social work helps to guide the planning of making it better for all. It shapes the way for the organization to have more direction. It discusses how their organization can grant the specific resources to reach the end goal of situated themselves to being the best.  
• What are the elements of a strategic plan? 
• Side elements that outline a strategic plan include, designing your vision, creating your mission, outlining your objectives, focusing on your strategies, approaching them, and reviewing your tactics. 

How is it useful to leadership and to the organization as a whole? 

It is useful to leadership and to the organization as a whole due to needing them to succeed. You focus on sustainability and organization to achieve the goals you set forth for yourself, your team, and your organization. Putting your direct attention on the parts that need it will strengthen the organization and build it up. 

identify and explain one potential problem that could arise during the strategic planning process. 

There are a couple potential problems when it comes to strategic planning some may include, poor communication, and lack of ownership. When looking into these potential problems you want to make sure you have all the facts of why this might be happening. See where the challenges are started and go from there. 

Resources: 

The Pitfalls of Strategic Planning (and how to overcome them). Lucidspark. (2023). Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://lucidspark.com/blog/the-pitfalls-of-strategic-planningLinks to an external site.

What is the importance of leadership in the workplace? Indeed. (2022, August 8). Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://in.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/importance-of-leadershipLinks to an external site.

Overgaag, D. (2023, March 13). 6 elements of effective strategic planning. Spur Reply. Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://spur-reply.com/blog/the-6-elements-of-effective-strategic-planningLinks to an external site.

Strategic planning. AAMC. (2023). Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://www.aamc.org/career-development/affinity-groups/gip/strategic-planningLinks to an external site.