Strategic Planning
Organization and Administration of Social Services (SOWK-SW 23B)
Tutorial Assignment: Question 4
Tutor:
What is Strategic Planning? Explain its relevance to the management of a Human Service Organization of your choice.
What is building a house without a blueprint? In everything we do, planning is essential, it serves as a guideline. With reference to the question, strategic planning offers many benefits to social service organizations, operating within an environment, funding cutbacks and emerging competition, (Finley et al, 2001). According to Florence Green (2009), strategic planning is an interactive activity that focuses on discussions and consensus building, which clarifies and builds commitment to the organizations future direction and priorities, within a changing environment. The result of the processor activity of strategic planning is a document. Planning overshadows the importance of the final document. Planning alone does not produce results, however well developed planning increases the likelihood that the operations of the organizations will be coordinated and integrated, leading towards the desired results. Strategic planning focuses on decisions that help position the organization to respond successfully to an ever-changing environment and an unpredictable future (Mintzberg, 1994). This type of planning expects new trends to develop and changes to occur, sometimes at lightning speed. An organization engaged in strategic planning anticipates a range of possible future and develops strategies based on an assessment of the current environment. According to Green (2009), this type of planning is characterized by asking the questions "what business should we be in” and “are we doing the right thing". In addition, the process of strategic planning is ongoing. Through interaction, results improve as well as experience and as the strategic plan continues to be reviewed and renewed, and the organization learns to think more strategically and more
Tutorial Assignment: Question 4
Tutor:
What is Strategic Planning? Explain its relevance to the management of a Human Service Organization of your choice.
What is building a house without a blueprint? In everything we do, planning is essential, it serves as a guideline. With reference to the question, strategic planning offers many benefits to social service organizations, operating within an environment, funding cutbacks and emerging competition, (Finley et al, 2001). According to Florence Green (2009), strategic planning is an interactive activity that focuses on discussions and consensus building, which clarifies and builds commitment to the organizations future direction and priorities, within a changing environment. The result of the processor activity of strategic planning is a document. Planning overshadows the importance of the final document. Planning alone does not produce results, however well developed planning increases the likelihood that the operations of the organizations will be coordinated and integrated, leading towards the desired results. Strategic planning focuses on decisions that help position the organization to respond successfully to an ever-changing environment and an unpredictable future (Mintzberg, 1994). This type of planning expects new trends to develop and changes to occur, sometimes at lightning speed. An organization engaged in strategic planning anticipates a range of possible future and develops strategies based on an assessment of the current environment. According to Green (2009), this type of planning is characterized by asking the questions "what business should we be in” and “are we doing the right thing". In addition, the process of strategic planning is ongoing. Through interaction, results improve as well as experience and as the strategic plan continues to be reviewed and renewed, and the organization learns to think more strategically and more
References: Bradford, R.W., Brian, T.,Duncan, P. J., (2003), Simplified Strategic Planning: A No Nonsense Guide for busy people who want results fast Duncan, R.B., Dutton, J.E., (1987). The Influence of Strategic Planning Process on Strategic Change Finley, D.S., Galloway, J.R., Rogers,G. (2001) Strategic Planning in Social Service Organization: A Practical Guide Green, F. (2009) Brief Introduction to Strategic Planning For Boards. Ron Hayne, Center for Professional Excellence. Levy, D.,Ohls,J. (2010), Journal of Development Effectiveness: Evaluation of Jamaica PATH Conditional Cash Transfer Programme Mathematica Policy Research Inc, (2009). Jamaica Social Safety Net: Programme for Advancement through Health and Education (PATH) Mintzberg, H., (1994). The Rise and Fall of Strategic Planning. Free Press, New York