Which of the following should a manager do to implement a strategic plan?
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The single determining factor for whether your strategic plan will succeed or fail is the level of engagement and preparation of staff by the organization’s leaders. In fact, we’ve identified three key roles that contribute to a plan’s success:
While they each play a unique and important role, they don’t always have to be different people. For example, at the Village of Lemont, Illinois, the Village Manager is both the executive sponsor and the project manager. (Watch our webinar with Lemont to see how they do it.) In this post, we’ll look at the importance of each of these roles, the responsibilities that come with them, and who in your organization is likely a good fit for each. Leadership makes or breaks strategic plan implementationOur customers use Envisio to successfully implement strategy, increase the visibility of their organizational goals, and align their resources with intended outcomes. We’ve looked at what the most successful public sector organizations have in common and have broken their leadership practices down by different roles. Many times, these practices are addressing the culture change many organizations must undergo to develop the discipline to plan, implement and report effectively. It’s hard work and requires a strong focus on the plan and execution. Ultimately, there are three roles that contribute to the success of the plan—the executive sponsor, the project manager, and the facilitator. Typically, the executive sponsor should be the chief administrative officer of the organization, including in organizations where that position is elected (e.g., strong mayor or county executive forms of government). Project managers can be other senior managers, such as assistant county administrators, deputy superintendents, or specialized professional staff. Facilitators are usually external to the organization and help with specific areas of the strategic planning process. The right facilitator will set you up for strategic plan implementation success before you take even a single action. Let’s look at each role in more detail. Probably the most critical element of successful strategy execution and performance tracking is the explicit expectations of the chief administrative officer. Making strategy a priority and using the work done by staff to make decisions ensures that your staff see the value of providing updates and tracking metrics. As the Executive Sponsor, you set the tone by:
The Project ManagerThe project manager is generally an assistant city manager, senior management analyst, strategic planning manager, or budget director. Project managers are responsible for the successful implementation of the plan and its actions. It is essential to create buy-in and get your team excited about your strategy and any strategy software you are using. You do this by:
The FacilitatorFor organizations that use external consultants to design and develop their strategic planning process, facilitate workshops, or publish the strategic plan, the following practices help create a final document that does more than sit on a shelf. Here’s what your consultant should be doing:
As you look to move your strategic plan from theory into practice, one of your first steps should be to ensure you have the right leaders in the right roles. Ensuring they understand their responsibilities and are passionate about the success of the plan is critical. The tone at the top will determine whether your strategic plan is a success or just another (expensive) document left on the shelf. For more help on putting your strategic plan into action, try our Strategic Plan Implementation Guide. Madison DiasMadison has supported hundreds of public sector organizations through the evaluation, implementation, and adoption of technology to transform the way they manage strategic planning and performance management. Madison is a graduate of Cornell University and holds an MBA in Strategy and Innovation from Quantic School of Business and Technology. Madison is also an avid triathlete, thrill-seeker, and former Team Canada and NCAA Division 1 Athlete. More By This Author What are the 5 steps in strategic planning?5 steps of the strategic planning process. Determine your strategic position.. Prioritize your objectives.. Develop a strategic plan.. Execute and manage your plan.. Review and revise the plan.. How does a strategic plan get implemented?Steps to implement your strategic plan
assign clear roles and responsibilities to those implementing the plan. clearly communicate the strategy, processes and goals to staff, stakeholders, etc. secure funding and resources for any initiatives or changes that need to happen. manage change efficiently and effectively.
Which of the following is the first step in strategic planning?The situation analysis is the first step in strategic planning. It involves the gathering of information, both internally and externally, to provide insights into issues related to a business's employees, customers, competitors and industry.
What can executives do to properly implement the strategic plan?How to implement an effective strategic plan. Study the overall market.. Complete a SWOT analysis.. Define your business goals.. Develop departmental goals.. Set short-term objectives.. Identify staffing, budgeting and financing needs.. Identify which KPIs you will track.. Identify the needs of your customers.. |