A successful planning effort is the result of effective and visionary leadership. It is often characterized by well-orchestrated discussions about the organization’s mission, challenges and opportunities, and the desired future state. Essential questions are considered.

Such discussions culminate in the development of a plan – a framework for decision-making for 3-5 years. Embedded in the plan is a set of strategic directions and their accompanying action items. A financial strategy is an essential component of planning and requires establishing milestones and timeframes. Increasingly strategic planning is used to open conversations between and among multiple organizations with common interests – as a way of exploring potential partnerships and initiatives.