Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Planning
Guide
How to create a one-page strategic plan
that Legal Leaders will actually use
Craft a clear, measurable, easy
to communicate strategic plan
Strategy defines what an enterprise will do to be successful — how Today’s disrupted conditions make it even more important for strategic
it plans to compete and win in its chosen markets or deliver the plans to be clear, measurable and easy to communicate.
expected services to the citizen and fulfill its public mission.
Key components include the following:
A strategy is specific for an enterprise, in a specific environment,
1. A few metrics that define the function’s current and target end state
aiming at a specific objective in a specific point in time.
2. The most critical assumptions underpinning the plan
It is that strategy from which you generate strategic plans (and then 3. The key initiatives required to achieve the end state
operational plans) that answers how the enterprise will get there.
4. A concise statement that distills and communicates the strategy
At a functional level, strategic planning defines the roadmap for
executing the choices and actions required to meet strategic goals
that reflect the function’s contribution to the enterprise business
model and goals.
Strategic Planning for Legal Leaders Gartner for Legal, Risk & Compliance Follow Us on LinkedIn Become a Client 2
Key actions in strategic planning
Strategic Planning for Legal Leaders Gartner for Legal, Risk & Compliance Follow Us on LinkedIn Become a Client 3
Key actions in strategic planning
Strategic Planning for Legal Leaders Gartner for Legal, Risk & Compliance Follow Us on LinkedIn Become a Client 4
Strategic Plan on a Page for Legal Leaders, 20XX-20XX
Document the key elements of your strategy on one page. Examples are illustrative.
Rationalized by Do Don’t
Example: Percentage of contracts turned 4 to 7 • Communicate explicitly • Create confusion or disagreement Example: Percentage of contracts turned
around within designated time frame — 87% around basis of strategy around within designated time frame —
assumptions • Specify quantifiable thresholds
90% within 12 months
• Allow for real-time course corrections
Example: Total outside counsel cost savings
due to department efficiencies — $100,000 Example: Significant regulatory and business practice changes as it relates to labor and employee, Example: Total outside counsel cost savings
privacy and environmental disclosures. due to department efficiencies — $200,000
by end of 20XX
Example: High volume of acquisitions across industry and supply chain
Expressed as Do Don’t
1 sentence • Capture the essence of the strategy • Create doubt around what
constitutes strategy
Example: Provide streamlined legal services and innovations that reduce legal risks while achieving cost
and operational efficiencies.
Strategic Planning for Legal Leaders Gartner for Legal, Risk & Compliance Follow Us on LinkedIn Become a Client 5
Strategic Plan on a Page Template
Type in the fields below to complete the interactive form.
Rationalized by
4 to 7
assumptions
Expressed as
1 sentence
Strategic Planning for Legal Leaders Gartner for Legal, Risk & Compliance Follow Us on LinkedIn Become a Client 6
Actionable, objective insight
Explore these additional complimentary resources and tools
for Legal Leaders:
Leadership Vision for 2022: The General Counsel’s Role in Join an Expert Deep Dive Gartner for Legal, Risk &
General Counsel Successful ESG Programs Hear the latest insights from Gartner Compliance
Confidently lead environmental, legal experts. Discover how we can help you achieve
Explore the key strategic actions
for GCs to take in 2022. social and governance (ESG) program your mission-critical audit priorities.
development and execution.
Already a client?
Get access to even more resources in your client portal. Log In
Strategic Planning for Legal Leaders Gartner for Legal, Risk & Compliance Follow Us on LinkedIn Become a Client 7
Connect With Us
Get actionable, objective insight to deliver on your mission-critical
priorities. Our expert guidance and tools enable faster, smarter
decisions and stronger performance. Contact us to become a client:
U.S.: +1 855 811 7593
International: +44 (0) 3330 607 044
Become A Client
Learn more about Gartner for Legal, Risk & Compliance Leaders
gartner.com/en/legal-compliance
© 2022 Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. CM_CF_1749542