Special Report

Strategic Planning Readiness-Assessment Checklist

Strategic planning is a On the proceeding pages is a materials, and policy
process whereby key checklist that you can use to development; and, the
individuals in your evaluate the readiness of design,
organization develop a your organization to develop implementation, Halladay
vision of their "desired a strategic plan. Its primary and Education
future" and define a purpose is to establish management of Group is a
blueprint for attaining whether this is the right time international leading
that future. Strategic for your organization to begin development consultancy
planning is not just a plan, and the training and projects. providing a full
"long - term planning" or technical assistance needed range of
an extrapolation of the to overcome the obstacles Your efforts in customized
status quo of the noted below. Your answers to strategic operations
organization --strategic these questions will provide planning will and
planning focuses on the the information you need to largely determine management
long term -- five or more determine whether you have the future of your services for
years. When your the capacity to begin the organization. Independent
organization begins the strategic planning process You are engaged Schools, Non-
planning process, your in a critically Profits, &
first step is to design an I hope this checklist is important task. International
effective and efficient useful to you in your Development
process. However, each work. We work with Best regards, Projects.
organization is unique. non-profit CEO’s and
Boards to improve their
A tactical approach to organization's
planning means your effectiveness and Douglas Halladay
planning will be suited operational efficiency, President
to your organization’s and the achievement of
goals, culture, and their vision and goals.
capacities. This is From our offices in
equally important Vancouver, British
whether you design Columbia, we provide
your own planning innovative services
process, use a pro bono including: strategic Visit
consultant from within planning; board www.halladayeducationgroup.com
your organization’s governance; Head of to see more about the services we
community, or retain a School evaluations; provide.
professional strategic executive searches;
planning consultant. school formation;
institutional
assessments;
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Halladay Education Group Inc.
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 Strategic Planning
Readiness-Assessment Test

The organization is ready to engage in strategic planning if each of the proceeding

conditions prevails (record yes or no as appropriate).

1. There is a willingness to work towards developing the best fit between the
organization and its external environment by examining the following questions:
• What is our purpose (mission)
• Where are we going? (vision)
• How do we get there? (strategies)
• What is our blueprint for action? (action plan)
• How do we know if we're on track? (assessment/evaluation benchmarks)
• How do we adjust our strategies based on continued evaluation? (annual review)
Yes___ No___

2. There is a high probability that agreement can be reached on the following issues:
• Who are we?
• What is the niche and needs we exist to fill?
• What do we do to recognize or anticipate and respond to these needs?
• Who are our key stakeholders and how should we respond to them?
• What are our core values?
• What makes us distinctive or unique?
Yes___ No___

3. There is an absence of an impending crisis.

Yes___ No___

4. There is deeply held commitment on the part of top leadership to engage in strategic
planning.
Yes___ No___

5. There is a shared understanding about the nature of strategic planning among

organizational stakeholders and a level of trust.
Yes___ No___

6. There is a competent group of people willing and able to serve on the strategic
planning team.
Yes___ No___

7. There is ability within the organization to respond to problems with solutions that are
politically, ethically, technically, and culturally acceptable.
Yes___ No___
8. There is agreement on the planning process and model to be used.
Yes___ No___

9. There is consensus regarding the organizational mandate given to the planning team.
Yes___ No___

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 10. There are adequate resources (including facilitators from either within or outside the
organization) so that the planning team can do each of the following tasks:
• Clarify organizational mission and values
• Identify stakeholders
• Assess the external environment
• Assess the internal environment
• Identify the strategic issues it faces
• Formulate strategies to manage these issues (gap analysis)
• Establish an effective organizational vision for the future
• Convert the vision into action plans, budgets, and result that can be monitored
• Monitor performance
• Make adjustments to the plan
• Base annual board/administration goals on the plan
Yes___ No___

11. There is access to data that reflects the political, economic, social, and technological
trends that effect the organization's stakeholders, competitors and collaborators.
Yes___ No___

12. There is access to data that reflect the organization's current resources and
performance levels.
Yes___ No___

CONCLUSION:
Upon review of your score, you should determine what key obstacles need to be resolved prior
to moving forward. This may include situations that are within control of the key decision makers
or presently outside their mandate of control or capability. In general terms, if your score has 4
or more “No’s”, you need to determine the magnitude of the barriers and whether they can be
resolved. At this stage, external assistance is recommended in moving the plan forward. There
are usually two compelling reasons to hold off on a plan: (1) the organization’s roof has literally
fallen in and/or, (2) the organization lacks the skills, resources, or commitment of key decision
makers.
Halladay
Please use this space to comment on your organization’s significant obstacles Education Group
and identify the changes you need to make to ensure that the planning process provides
independent
is not obstructed. Feel free t contact us for more information.
schools and non-
profit
Obstacle(s) Actions needed to resolve organizations with
Obstacle customized
solutions for their
organization’s
operations and
management.
Add this copy to
your HEG Special
Report file as a
resource for your
school. Watch our
website for
updates as new
reports become
available.

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