In this blog series, we’re going to break down the essential elements of strategic planning and why it’s a must for organizations of any size. We’ll  give you a quick overview of why strategic planning is so important and highlight three keys to success: leadership involvement, establishing KPIs and cascading goals, and execution & follow-up. Each of these topics will have its own deep dive in the upcoming posts, with discussions and best practice examples from Oklahoma leaders and organizations, so stick around!

" ... effective strategic planning is a continuous process with a living plan that sets the course for an organization’s future."

Why Does Strategic Planning Matter?

Strategic planning isn’t just about setting random goals and hoping for the best. It’s not something to just check off the list each year and never look at again. And it’s not just an action plan. It’s about setting your organization on a clear path to the future, with every team member knowing what they’re working toward and how they’re contributing. A solid strategy helps organizations stay ahead of trends, handle challenges, and grab opportunities as they pop up. It keeps the focus on the Mission, Vision, and Values of the organization and ensures everything aligns to those.

1. The Importance of Leadership Involvement

A strategic plan without leadership buy-in is like a team without a coach. Leaders must drive the process, and here’s why:

• Vision and Direction: Leaders see the bigger picture, which is crucial for shaping a strategy that makes sense for the organization’s future.
• Resource Alignment: Leaders make decisions about where to allocate resources, whether it’s time, money, or talent. Without their backing, the strategy won’t get the attention it needs.
• Creating the Culture: When the top leaders are fully invested in the plan, it sends the message that it’s important to the entire organization. If they’re putting in the work, everyone else is more likely to follow.

We’ll break down how leadership can actually drive the strategic planning process, from setting the tone to inspiring action across the organization.

"A strategic plan without leadership buy-in is like a team without a coach."

2. KPIs and Cascading Goals: Aligning the Whole Team

So, you’ve got your strategy in place. Now, how do you make sure everyone is working toward the same goals? That’s where Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and cascading goals come in.

KPIs are your team’s scoreboard. They help you measure progress and figure out what’s working and what’s not. They show you if what you are doing is successful or not. But KPIs alone aren’t enough—you need to make sure everyone knows how they fit into the bigger picture. That’s where cascading goals come in.

• Alignment: Cascading goals mean breaking down the big-picture goals into smaller, team-specific objectives. This way, every single person in the company knows how their work contributes to the overall strategy and connects them to that.
• Accountability: With clear goals, it’s easier to hold teams and individuals responsible for their part in executing the plan. It provides clarity on what really matters.
• Motivation: When employees see exactly how their work impacts the company’s success, it gives them that extra push to perform their best.

We’ll dive into how to create KPIs that actually matter and how to break down your big goals so they make sense at every level of the organization.

3. Execution & Follow-Up: Turning Plans Into Reality

A strategy is only as good as its execution. Too many organizations create strategic plans look great on paper, but are never acted on. Effective execution is all about taking your goals and turning them into action, and follow-up is the secret ingredient that keeps things on track.

Here’s why execution matters:

• Ownership: Assign specific people or teams to own different parts of the strategy, so there’s no confusion about who’s responsible for what. This also creates buy-in.
• Agility: Things will change—markets shift, new tech pops up, the unexpected happens. A good strategy should be flexible enough to adjust to those changes.
• Ongoing Monitoring: Execution isn’t a one-time thing. You need regular check-ins (monthly, quarterly, whatever is best) to make sure everything is on track and adjust things if necessary.

We’ll look at how to keep momentum going after you’ve set your plan in motion and how to create a system for regular check-ins to stay on top of progress.

Wrapping It Up

Strategic planning is your organization’s blueprint for success. But just having a plan isn’t enough—you need strong leadership, clear KPIs and goals, and a system for execution and follow-up. Get these pieces right, and you’ve got a formula for achieving long-term success.

Next time, we’ll dive deeper into leadership’s role in strategic planning and how to make sure the people at the top are leading the charge for your organization’s success.

Stay tuned, and let’s get strategic!