Strategic Planning for Social Impact: A Compass, Not a Map

Ever heard the saying, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail"? It might sound like a cheesy line from a self-help book, but it's spot on when it comes to strategic planning for social impact.

The Destination and the Path: Defining Your Vision and Mission

Imagine you're going on a road trip. Your vision is your destination, the place you're dreaming of while you're stuck in traffic or navigating winding roads. Your mission, on the other hand, is the route you take to get there. It's the GPS guiding you, the road signs you follow.

In the context of a purpose-driven organisation, your vision is your ultimate goal, and your mission is how you plan to achieve it. It's about knowing where you want to go and how you plan to get there. And no, "somewhere over the rainbow" doesn't count as a destination unless you're Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.

The Milestones: Setting Measurable Goals

Now, let's talk about goals. Goals are like landmarks on your journey. They're the world's biggest rubber band ball or the largest frying pan you stop to take a selfie with along the way. They're specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). They provide direction and enable you to track your progress.

And remember, a goal without a plan is just a wish. Or in other words, it's like wanting to visit the world's biggest rubber band ball without a map, a car, or even knowing what state it's in.

The Action Plan: Developing Strategies and Tactics

Strategies and tactics are the specific actions you'll take to achieve your goals. They're the snacks you pack, the playlist you create, and the speed you drive at. They should align with your mission and leverage your resources effectively.

The Continuous Improvement: Monitoring and Adjusting

Strategic planning is not a one-time activity. It's a continuous process that requires regular monitoring and adjustment. It's like adjusting your speed when the road conditions change or taking a detour when there's a roadblock.

As Peter Drucker, a management consultant and author, once said, "Strategic planning is the continuous process of making present entrepreneurial (risk-taking) decisions systematically and with the greatest knowledge of their futurity; organizing systematically the efforts needed to carry out these decisions; and measuring the results of these decisions against the expectations through organised systematic feedback."

So there you have it. Strategic planning for social impact is like going on a road trip. It's about knowing your destination, planning your route, setting your landmarks, preparing for the journey, and being ready to adapt when conditions change.

And remember, strategic planning is a compass, not a map. It won't tell you every turn to take, but it will always point you in the right direction. So buckle up, enjoy the ride, and don't forget to stop and take a selfie with the world's biggest rubber band ball along the way.