Top 10 questions to rate your organization’s planning process July 23
An effective plan provides a road map for your organization to get from where you are to where you want to be. Yet, just having a plan is not enough: it must be implemented successfully. Answer each of the questions below, and award your organization ten points for each positive response.
- Does your organization have a current business or strategic plan?
- Does your plan set forth a compelling vision for your organization, one that is attainable yet will require everyone involved to give their best effort to achieve?
- Do you have buy-in on the plan from everyone in the organization—from entry level employees to the Board of Directors?
- Is the plan really being used or is it merely collecting dust somewhere?
- How you do you establish whether your plan is being effectively implemented?
- Is your entire organization headed in the direction established by the plan, with every major decision supporting that direction?
- Does your leadership team meet regularly (at least quarterly) to review progress on the plan and make adjustments as needed?
- Is there a high level of accountability built into your plan? Does everyone in the organization fully understand their responsibilities as set forth in the plan?
- Are there incentives for reaching the plan’s goals? If so, what are they?
- Do you review and revise your plan regularly (at least annually)?
Now rate the effectiveness of your organization’s planning process.
90-100 points: Congratulations! Your organization is well on its way to achieving its vision.
70-80 points: Your organization is making good progress. To assure your success, really make your planning process a top priority.
50-60 points: Your organization has created a foundation on which on which to build. Now put additional time, energy and resources into upgrading your planning process.
Below 50: Back to the drawing board.