Preliminary Phase (1st Phase) of Strategic Planning and Management

Preliminary Phase (1st Phase) of Strategic Planning and Management:


All readers are requested to read all the posts in a sequence in order to understand the process of Strategic Planning and Management. In the previous post we have discussed about an introduction and importance of Strategic Planning and Management. Beside this, names of important steps have been mentioned as well.
The crux of previous post is:

The broader strategic concerns are:

•   Who are we? ……………………………………………………… (Field of Operation)

•   Where are we? …………………………………………………… (Current Situation)

•   Where do we want to go (or not go) and why? ….. (Vision)

•   How do we get there? ............................................ (Mission)

•   How do we know when we get there? ……………….. (Strategic Planning & Management)

Why do Strategic Planning?

·         If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.

·         Be proactive about the future.

·         Strategic planning improves performance.

·         Counter excessive inward and short-term thinking.

·         Solve major issues at a macro level.

·         Communicate to everyone what is most important.

       However, today we are going to discuss the Preliminary phase of Strategic Planning & Management which is actually environmental scanning or organizational analysis which is done with the help of SWOT and PEST analysis which have been discussed in the previous post but here we would discuss their frameworks and practical implications.

       It is necessary to scan your organization before making Strategic Plan because it helps you to make real, valid, authentic, realistic, measurable and practical plan. When you are aware about your organizational strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threads then you can make a real Strategic Plan so for.


      Getting Started:


      Before SWOT or PEST analysis, please ensure these important preparatory measures.


a.   How do we identify and engage the appropriate people who need to participate in the Strategic Plan development effort (e.g., HOD, BOD, managers,  professionals etc.) , and how do we define the  level of involvement that each needs to have (committee member, work-group chair, work-group member)?

b.   Have the right stakeholder organizations been engaged in the process, particularly those that produce, acquire or maintain data across levels of government?

c.   Have the members of the stakeholder organizations brought into the strategic planning process?  If not, how can this be remedied?

d.   Are executives of participating organizations knowledgeable, supportive and involved in this effort?

e.   How do we define the roles and responsibilities required to ensure successful completion of the Strategic Plan?  (e.g., strategic planning committee, committee chair, strategic plan review team, etc.)

f.    How do we determine who is responsible for the Strategic Planning process?  (e.g., who will manage/facilitate its progress and completion?

g.   How do we decide who the plan should be prepared for and how do we tailor the plan to meet their expectations and/or requirements? (e.g., who is the target audience and what are the issues that will gain their attention and support?)

h.   How do we identify and enlist the assistance of a political champion?

Current Situation Analysis by SWOT and PEST Analysis:

Before going ahead, it is very important to assess your current situation, where does you stand actually. Understand your internal and external environment;

  • Internal environment by SWOT analysis
  • External environment by PEST Analysis

 

SWOT Analysis Framework for Organization. (Internal Scanning)

Departments are required to do situation analysis of the organization focusing on keys areas and questions mentioned below. 

 

KEY QUESTIONS

STRENGTHS

WEAKNESSES

KEY QUESTIONS

STRENGTHS - What does the company do well?

 

 

WEAKNESSES - What can the company improve upon internally?

1.       What makes you better than your competitors?

1.       What areas do you need improvement on?

2.       What is the unique thing about your school?

2.       What are the things you need to avoid?

3.       What are the things that other people say you do well?

3.       What areas do your competitors have an advantage on?

4.       What are the advantages you have over your competitors?

4.       Are your employees not skilled enough?

5.       What actions do you do well?

5.       Do you have enough resources to run the operations?

6.       What are your competences?

6.What are the weaknesses of your operating model

7.       What knowledge, skills and attitude do you have that can help you?

7. Other

8.       What do other people say you do well?

8. Other

OPPORTUNITIES-Which situations can the company take advantage of?

THREATS-Which situations should the company avoid?

1.       What external changes will bring opportunities for us?

1.       Are there potential competitors who can give us a competition in the future?

2.       What are the current ongoing trends which we can avail?

2.       What are the obstacles we are facing in the current market?

3.       What is the market missing? Can we provide that missing link for the community?

3.       Are our key staff members satisfied with their wages and other benefits? If not, are they being poached by our competitors?

4.       Are our competitors failing to satisfy their customer base? If so, can we steal their customers?

4.       Are the government regulations going to affect us?

5.       Is our brand name helping you to get competitive edge?

5.        What are the negative tendencies in play today?

6.       What real opportunities are present today?

6.       What obstacles do you face in your mission right now?

7.       What is going on around us that seems to be useful?

7.       Who might cause you problems in the future and how?

8.       What could be done today that isn’t being done?

8.    Other

 

Alternate SWOT Analysis Framework

Strengths

(List here anything you can think of that makes your organization amazing!  What can you rely on to deliver your services?)

 

 

 

Weaknesses

(What isn’t quite the way it should be yet?  What is missing?)

Opportunities

(List here any potential opportunities to really push your organization forward that you have not yet taken advantage of.)

 

 

 

 

 

Threats

(List here anything that might get in your way of achieving your goals – such as funding you aren’t sure of yet, relationships that might break down, etc.)

 

 

PEST Analysis: (This framework is used to analyze external environment)

Analyze your Customers, Competitors and Stakeholders.

Assess and judge the best strategy for your external environment.

Write external political, economic, socio-cultural and technological factors in the below framework which may be proved threat or opportunity for your school.

 

 

Factor

Opportunity

Threat

 

 

 

 

 

Political

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Economic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Socio-Cultural

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technological

 

 

 

 

   Above frameworks are very important to assess the current situation of any company.


Now, you are ready to make your Strategic Plan after assessing your current situation by SWOT and PEST analysis.

Next post will throw light on the steps and functions of Strategic Planning and Management.



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