Balloon Launch Question:
How do you start a strategic plan?

Before the thing that did work, I'll list 3 things that didn't work for me:

1. Spending more than 6 hours in a day on a planning retreat. People wear out after lunch.
2. Getting Board members to complete pre-planning day materials. Only the overachievers do it.
3. Getting people to say they DON'T like an idea in a direct and clear way.

I like the strategic planning article below because you write the brainstorming ideas on big posters and then give every board member 5 to 10 colored stickers. They pick ideas to focus on by using they stickers to vote. Gives you focus without hurt feelings. The article is clear and concise. Link to Kellogg Foundation Article.

Kim...this is great advice and article! Thanks! I have had good luck with the stars as well. One way I have also seen people get started is doing a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis to set the context of what's happening. Others?

There is absolutely no reason for organizational leaders to "shudder" when they hear the phrase strategic planning. Fundamentally, strategic planning is a dynamic process used by an organization's leadership team to create a roadmap that will consistently move the organization towards its preferred future (vision). Regardless of the size of the organization, whether non-profit or for-profit, public or private, strategic planning is a very important, but learnable, skill. It simply requires a basic understanding of a few key definitions and the execution of a generally prescriptive process.