This document provides an overview of the strategic planning process for organizations. It discusses who should be involved including directors, boards, staff, and users. Data collection such as statistics, focus groups, and environmental scans are important initial steps. Emerging trends and a SWOT analysis inform the creation of a mission, goals, and objectives. The strategic plan is then used to guide decision making and evaluate progress which is monitored on a quarterly basis and revised annually.

1. Strategic Planning

2. What is Planning? Planning a vacation vs. Planning for an organization Knowing who you are and what you need helps determine where you go. Once you know the destination you can work out the steps to get you there.

3. Who Is Involved? Director/President/CEO Board or Governing Body Staff Users/Benefactors of Service

4. Who is Involved? Facilitator An objective observer A professional planner Industry knowledge Manages the process No Facilitator Outsiders are not welcome Less expensive More buy-in of participants? Internal person to manage the process

5. Who are you The Environmental Scan Collect Data Internal Statistics Community/Organization Statistics Demographics Collect Primary information Staff Focus Groups Community/Organization Focus Groups

6. Emerging Trends Two consequences from collecting this data: Understanding of the organization Emerging Trends and Issues

7. Emerging Trends Institutional Knowledge: Mission Statement Values Emerging Trends & Issues: Themes for discussion Specific Goals for the plan

8. Brainstorming Session or Dealing with the White Elephant Gather all of the key players for a facilitated (internal or external facilitator) discussion to finalize mission statement, vision (if desired), institutional values, and list of key issues.

9. SWOT Strength Weakness Opportunity Threat

10. PEST Political Economic Social Technological

11. The Plan Take the Planning to Plan material to develop the plan. Mission, Vision, Values Institutional Needs/Goals User Needs/Goals

12. The Plan Mission Goals Objectives Strategies

13. The Plan Appendix: Background information Operating Budget Task oriented Plans Tool for monitoring or measuring progress

14. Managing by Objectives Use the Strategic Plan as an evaluation tool: Discuss goals and objectives with Supervisors/staff Supervisor/staff commits to completing objectives for the year Evaluation is based on the outcome of this commitment

15. Monitor Progress Quarterly updates Revise timelines Annual Progress Revise goals, objectives and timelines Report successful completion of goals

16. Further Reading Websites: Strategic Planning Society: http://sps.org.uk/ Leader to Leader Institute: http:// www.drucker.org/index.html

17. Further Reading Websites: Community Vision Process: http://www.lukevision.com/ The Ferguson Library’s plan: http://www.fergusonlibrary.org/about_us/LongRangePlan2006-2011.pdf

18. Further Reading Books Drucker, Peter F. Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership: A Three-in-One Development Program for Boards and Staff . John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 1998. Drucker, Peter F. Managing the Non-Profit Organization: Principles and Practices . HarperInformation, 1992.

19. Further Reading Books Freedman, Mike. The Art and Discipline of Strategic Leadership . The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2002. Nelson, Sandra S. Strategic Planning For Results . American Library Association, 2008.

20. Further Reading Articles BRANDING HELPED TO PROMOTE OUR LIBRARY AND ITS TECHNOLOGY. By: Sejan Yun. Computers in Libraries , May2004, Vol. 24 Issue 5, p18 , 5p ; (AN 13027895 ) The Ferguson Library. http://search.epnet.com/direct.asp?an=13027895&db=f5h The Elmer L.Andersen Library: Accomplishing the Impossible. By: Kelsey, Donald G. . Library Trends , Summer2003, Vol. 52 Issue 1, p49 , 11p ; (AN 11063992 ) The Ferguson Library. http://search.epnet.com/direct.asp?an=11063992&db=f5h

21. Further Reading Articles Wilson, Stu. "Saint Paul's strategic solution: an energetic three-year vision emerges from serious self-examination." Library Journal 131.16 (Oct 1, 2006): 32(4). General OneFile . Gale. Ferguson Library. 30 Jan. 2008 http://find.galegroup.com/itx/start.do?prodId=ITOF>.