Strategy defines and communicates an organization's unique position and what differentiates itself from others. Flowing from strategy are the decisions on how organizational resources, skills, and competencies should be combined to create competitive advantage.

 

The best strategic planning processes for today’s environment are those that meet an organization where it is; create a framework for dealing with change; build a structure through which decision-makers are able to access critical information about impact; and respond to evolving realities.  Planning needn’t have a defined beginning and end date.  An open-ended process that is constantly referenced and that can be amended as circumstances dictate is much more useful and likely to permeate an organization’s culture than a stand-alone activity.

 

When organizations combine this type of planning with passionate and decisive leadership, they create a successful model that will empower effective organizational development practices for mission and vision achievement.