A strategic plan’s purpose is geared toward answering four crucial questions that can be summarized quickly: the destination, the starting point, the journey, and the checkpoints. Or, in longer form: Where do I want to go? What is our current situation or location? What is the process I will undertake to reach that state? At what points will I know if I am achieving success? These questions are addressed by a good strategic plan while providing clear answers. Include the following three aspects of planning to reach this goal.
Define a Vision
The creation of a vision statement is the clearly definitive starting point when you seek to define a vision. This is all about the goal. It answers who, what, and where you want to be. It should be used to bring alignment to all involved, create focused and cohesive goals, and inspire all parties.
Form a Mission Statement
A vision statement talks about where you desire to be in the future; a mission statement talks about where you are today and how you will get there, or starting point and part of your journey. Daily focus on the mission should enable you to realize your vision. Some people lump vision and mission statements together, but their differences are vast enough that each merits separate care.
Establish Core Values
Core values are a description of behaviors and beliefs. They are those things in which you believe that will see you through to achieving your mission and vision. Values lack the credit they deserve. They are often dismissed or overlooked in forming a strategic plan. But they are a frank self-assessment of the way you wish yourself or your organization to act in the process of reaching vision goals while following mission statements.
Finally, a set of outcomes that are clearly defined make a strategic plan complete. Try a SWOT analysis as well: strengths, weakness, opportunities, threats, make up the parts of SWOT. With these elements, a plan that answers the main integral questions can be formulated and followed. Try applying these to personal goals as well as business objectives and you will find the principles remain the same. Maintain accountability throughout on the journey to well-crafted long-term goals and see the vision statement of your strategic plan become reality.