1. Does your organization have a current business or strategic plan?
2. 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?
3. Do you have buy-in on the plan from everyone in the organization—from entry level employees to the Board of Directors?
4. Is the plan really being used or is it merely collecting dust somewhere?
5. How you do you establish whether your plan is being effectively implemented?
6. Is your entire organization headed in the direction established by the plan, with every major decision supporting that direction?
7. Does your leadership team meet regularly (at least quarterly) to review progress on the plan and make adjustments as needed?
8. 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?
9. Are there incentives for reaching the plan’s goals? If so, what are they?
10. 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.