A Critical Responsibility
Establishing organizational direction and strategy represents one of the most critical governing responsibilities. Strategy defines how an association establishes value and maintains competitive advantage. It involves making trade-offs in how an organization allocates resources, prioritizes decisions, and, importantly, decides what not to do.
Strategic planning is a discipline that includes environmental scanning, development of strategy, and allocation or resources and accountability. Typically, strategic plans may have a life of 3-5 years, and usually incorporate vision, mission, guiding values, goals and objectives. The development of strategy is generally regarded as the responsibility of the board and the development of tactics the work of staff. However, staff play a critical role to inform and guide the planning process. Many organizations will also use an external planning consultant to support the process.
Many observers debate the utility of planning in a rapidly changing environment. However, the value of planning lies largely in the thought process and deliberations. Plans maintain their relevance through regular evaluation and updating.
