Needs Assessment and Strategic Planning

Needs Assessment and Strategic Planning Day 2

Q&A From Yesterday

What are some attributes of a useful strategic plan? Write 2-3 thoughts, each on a separate index card. Each thought should be only a few words. Write BIG! Use marker if you have one. Strategic Planning

What are some attributes of a useful strategic plan? Understandable Credible Explains what you are going to do and why Management tool Basis for measuring success Process develops clarity and alignment Strategic Planning

What are some attributes of a useful strategic plan? Keeps you focused on outcomes Tests, affirms, corrects and codifies intuition and theory of change Keeps you attuned to market forces and customer attitudes Strategic Planning

Phases of Planningand Components of a Plan Document

Phases of Strategic Planning Strategy Direction Understanding

7. Resources 6. Production Goals 5. Programs and Services 4. Strategic Goals 3. Outcomes and Measures 2. Mission 1. Summary of Needs Assessment Components of the Plan Document

2: Redefining or Recommitting to the Mission Based on Needs Assessment Direction

2: Redefining or Recommitting to the Mission Based on Needs Assessment Thoughtful Alignment Direction

2: Redefining or Recommitting to the Mission Based on Needs Assessment Self-Assessment: 0-1 General idea 2-3 Used for brochures & grants 4-5 Last 2 years 6-7 Actively used Direction

2: Parts of a Mission Statement Direction

2: The Mission Test Does it describe • The end to which the organization exists? • Who it serves? • How it does that? Direction

2: The Mission Test Is it consistent with your assessment of needs and market trends for the next 3-5 years? Direction

2: The Mission Test Do the board and staff know it, understand it, and use it to guide the work and decisions of the organization? Direction

2: The Mission Test Bonus question: Would it make sense to an outsider? Direction

2:Tips for a Mission Review and Recommitment • Board and staff mission test • Pair exercise • Other? Direction

2: Review Direction

3: Identifying Outcomes and Measures of Success That Link Directly to Needs Assessment Direction

Outcomes Measures of success Outcomes are the desired consequence or effect of the outputs – the expected benefits of your work, accrued either to individuals or places. Measures of success are the indicators you plan to track to measure your progress toward achieving the outcomes Direction

Inputs + Activities = Outputs + Outcomes -individual level -community level Direction

Inputs-Activities-Outputs-OutcomesGame • Open your envelope • Everyone take one thing • Discuss/decide where it goes on the wall charts • As called, use removable tape to stick it on the right chart Direction

Example: Affordable Housing Direction

Example: Community Renewal Direction

3: Review Direction

Worksheet Planning for Strategic Planning

4: Setting Strategic Goals to Achieve the Outcomes Strategy

4: Setting Strategic Goals to Achieve the Outcomes A strategic goal expresses the approach your organization will take to achieve the outcomes. Strategy

Example: Affordable Housing Strategy

Example: Community Renewal Strategy

4: Setting Strategic Goals to Achieve the Outcomes Strategic goals should be based on the needs assessment, mission, and outcomes – as well as an assessment of the organization’s strengths and weaknesses. Strategy

Case Studies: Aligning Strategic Goals with Needs Assessment • Read your assigned case study. • Choose a reporter. • Discuss questions at your table. • Report out. Strategy

4: Review Strategy

Worksheet Planning for Strategic Planning

5: Identifying Programs and Services That Will Operationalize the Strategic Goals Strategy

5: Identifying Programs and Services That Will Operationalize the Strategic Goals Programs and services are the activities we do to enact strategic goals and achieve outcomes. Strategy

Things to Watch Out For Reliable funding sources can sometimes grow to be confused with programs. 5: Identifying Programs and Services That Will Operationalize the Strategic Goals Strategy

Things to Watch Out For Programs are only tools for accomplishing outcomes - effective organizations are careful to be outcome-driven rather than program-driven. 5: Identifying Programs and Services That Will Operationalize the Strategic Goals

Things to Watch Out For Remember to align the programs with the needs assessment and the outcomes. 5: Identifying Programs and Services That Will Operationalize the Strategic Goals

Needs Assessment and Strategic Planning