Managers Corner

Learn more and have your questions about strategic planning answered at the CSDA Annual Conference. Just look for the session titled: You Need It. How Do You Do it? A Step-by-Step Guide to Building an Effective Multi-Year Strategic Plan.

You Need It. How Do You Do It?

By Martin Rauch, Rauch Communication Consultants Inc.

Strategic Planning Will Improve Your District’s Performance

Planning Helps You Clear Away The Clutter And Focus On What Is Important

Most special district leaders are confronted by a daily web of challenges and time pressure from every direction. The daily tangle of issues and problems can crowd the time and mental space needed to focus on your district’s big-picture strategic challenges. Don’t fail to take advantage of the power of a strategic plan. A well-designed planning process will help your board, staff, and public develop the goals and priorities needed to move your district in the right direction.

Understand Your Current Performance, And Anticipate Future Challenges And Needs

Strategic planning is an organized way to evaluate your current programs and performance. It also helps you anticipate future challenges and needs, identify goals and priorities, and develop a plan to achieve those goals. This type of planning is more effective than trial-and-error learning, bumping along from challenge to challenge as issues arise, or through the regular board meeting process. Planning produces results!

Strategic Planning Benefits Everyone And Reinforces Everyone’s Proper Role

Strategic planning provide an excellent introduction for newer board members and to build consensus around priorities for the entire board. It is an ideal opportunity for both newer and longstanding directors to be exposed to the key issues facing the district and to engage with their fellow directors and management team in-depth on these topics. In addition, the process strengthens the Board’s ability to set clear policy direction and avoid micromanaging.

Planning gives the manager a clear understanding of where the district is going and the priorities. A good strategic plan allows the manager to act decisively and confidently to set work priorities, build the budget, and implement the plan. It also helps clarify the expectations the manager is being judged against, where to focus resources, how to set up timelines, and more.

Staff gains an understanding of how each person contributes to the overall goals and priorities. Having a voice in the process and understanding of one’s contribution to the mission motivates everyone.

The planning process also helps the public understand and have confidence in how the district is preparing to serve them effectively over the long run. In addition, the public can better monitor whether the district is achieving its goals by participating in a transparent process.

Seven Steps to Success

There are many ways to carry out a successful strategic planning process. Below are some key elements that should be included in every process: 1. Agree on the planning process, including who will participate, where it will be held, and how it will be organized and facilitated.

2. Reaffirm or update your mission, vision, and

values. These are vital guideposts you can use to make better decisions and navigate the district’s challenges.

3. Develop a mutual understanding of challenges and opportunities.

4. Develop goals and concrete objectives to resolve district challenges and achieve the mission. 5. Develop a staff work plan to implement the goals, objectives, and priorities. 6. Reality check the plan to ensure it is achievable within the district’s time and resources. 7. Set performance measures and monitor progress and effectiveness. Adjust course as needed.