Strategic Planning Evaluation for Businesses

1. Welcome!

This assessment tool can be used to get a reasonable impression of the quality of your strategic planning.

You could use results of this assessment tool to: 1) ensure a strong foundation from which to add a product or undertake a major change effort; 2) do an internal analysis as part of an overall strategic planning activity; 3) develop a common understanding among leaders regarding what needs to be done in your business; and 4) assess how the operations in your business compare to various "best practices."

Each indicator is marked as Essential (“E”), Recommended (“R”), or Additional (“A”) practices for the typical business.

Next to each specific indicator are choices, including “Met,” “Needs Work,” “Not Applicable,” and “Don’t Know.” After reading each indicator, place a check mark under the appropriate choice as to how your business performs to that indicator.

After you have completed the assessment, print out the results by using the "Print" command in your browser (probably available by clicking on the "File" command). Notice which areas need work, especially those marked "E".

References to Boards of Directors apply to businesses formed as corporations.

This on-line assessment tool is provided by Authenticity Consulting, LLC (www.authenticityconsulting.com) and has been adapted from a tool developed by the Greater Twin Cities United Way.

Question Title

* 1. STRATEGIC PLANNING -- The following indicators are in regard to ensuring progress toward a clear focus and direction for the entire organization.

If you're satisfied with your answers, we encourage you to print your completed questionnaire (using the "Print" command in the "File" menu of your internet browser).

Look at those items that are marked as "Needs Work". You might use topics in the Free Management Library about Strategic Planning to address those issues.

Clock on DONE when you are finished with the assessment.

	Met	Needs Work	Not Applicable	Don't Know
a. The organization conducts strategic planning to establish clear goals for the business and employees. (E)	a. The organization conducts strategic planning to establish clear goals for the business and employees. (E) Met	a. The organization conducts strategic planning to establish clear goals for the business and employees. (E) Needs Work	a. The organization conducts strategic planning to establish clear goals for the business and employees. (E) Not Applicable	a. The organization conducts strategic planning to establish clear goals for the business and employees. (E) Don't Know
b. The organization has a clear, meaningful written mission statement which reflects its purpose, values and customers served. (R)	b. The organization has a clear, meaningful written mission statement which reflects its purpose, values and customers served. (R) Met	b. The organization has a clear, meaningful written mission statement which reflects its purpose, values and customers served. (R) Needs Work	b. The organization has a clear, meaningful written mission statement which reflects its purpose, values and customers served. (R) Not Applicable	b. The organization has a clear, meaningful written mission statement which reflects its purpose, values and customers served. (R) Don't Know
c. The mission statement is reviewed and modified regularly as necessary to reflect changes in the environment. (R)	c. The mission statement is reviewed and modified regularly as necessary to reflect changes in the environment. (R) Met	c. The mission statement is reviewed and modified regularly as necessary to reflect changes in the environment. (R) Needs Work	c. The mission statement is reviewed and modified regularly as necessary to reflect changes in the environment. (R) Not Applicable	c. The mission statement is reviewed and modified regularly as necessary to reflect changes in the environment. (R) Don't Know
d. The Board formally approves the written strategic plan and monitors status of its implementation. (E)	d. The Board formally approves the written strategic plan and monitors status of its implementation. (E) Met	d. The Board formally approves the written strategic plan and monitors status of its implementation. (E) Needs Work	d. The Board formally approves the written strategic plan and monitors status of its implementation. (E) Not Applicable	d. The Board formally approves the written strategic plan and monitors status of its implementation. (E) Don't Know
e. All key stakeholders participate in the planning process. (A)	e. All key stakeholders participate in the planning process. (A) Met	e. All key stakeholders participate in the planning process. (A) Needs Work	e. All key stakeholders participate in the planning process. (A) Not Applicable	e. All key stakeholders participate in the planning process. (A) Don't Know
f. The plan was developed by evaluating the quality of internal operations and then identifying strengths and weaknesses of the organization. (E)	f. The plan was developed by evaluating the quality of internal operations and then identifying strengths and weaknesses of the organization. (E) Met	f. The plan was developed by evaluating the quality of internal operations and then identifying strengths and weaknesses of the organization. (E) Needs Work	f. The plan was developed by evaluating the quality of internal operations and then identifying strengths and weaknesses of the organization. (E) Not Applicable	f. The plan was developed by evaluating the quality of internal operations and then identifying strengths and weaknesses of the organization. (E) Don't Know
g. The plan was also developed by researching external trends (political, economic, societal, technological, markets, etc.) and then identifying opportunities and threats facing the organization. (E)	g. The plan was also developed by researching external trends (political, economic, societal, technological, markets, etc.) and then identifying opportunities and threats facing the organization. (E) Met	g. The plan was also developed by researching external trends (political, economic, societal, technological, markets, etc.) and then identifying opportunities and threats facing the organization. (E) Needs Work	g. The plan was also developed by researching external trends (political, economic, societal, technological, markets, etc.) and then identifying opportunities and threats facing the organization. (E) Not Applicable	g. The plan was also developed by researching external trends (political, economic, societal, technological, markets, etc.) and then identifying opportunities and threats facing the organization. (E) Don't Know
h. The planning process identifies the most critical priorities or issues facing the organization, based on the results of the internal evaluation and external research. (R)	h. The planning process identifies the most critical priorities or issues facing the organization, based on the results of the internal evaluation and external research. (R) Met	h. The planning process identifies the most critical priorities or issues facing the organization, based on the results of the internal evaluation and external research. (R) Needs Work	h. The planning process identifies the most critical priorities or issues facing the organization, based on the results of the internal evaluation and external research. (R) Not Applicable	h. The planning process identifies the most critical priorities or issues facing the organization, based on the results of the internal evaluation and external research. (R) Don't Know
i. The plan sets specific and measurable goals and timelines that address each of these critical issues or priorities. (R)	i. The plan sets specific and measurable goals and timelines that address each of these critical issues or priorities. (R) Met	i. The plan sets specific and measurable goals and timelines that address each of these critical issues or priorities. (R) Needs Work	i. The plan sets specific and measurable goals and timelines that address each of these critical issues or priorities. (R) Not Applicable	i. The plan sets specific and measurable goals and timelines that address each of these critical issues or priorities. (R) Don't Know
j. The plan includes an action plan or operational plan which specifies objectives, responsibilities and timelines, that addresses each of the overall strategic goals.	j. The plan includes an action plan or operational plan which specifies objectives, responsibilities and timelines, that addresses each of the overall strategic goals. Met	j. The plan includes an action plan or operational plan which specifies objectives, responsibilities and timelines, that addresses each of the overall strategic goals. Needs Work	j. The plan includes an action plan or operational plan which specifies objectives, responsibilities and timelines, that addresses each of the overall strategic goals. Not Applicable	j. The plan includes an action plan or operational plan which specifies objectives, responsibilities and timelines, that addresses each of the overall strategic goals. Don't Know
k. The plan integrates all the organization's activities around a focused mission. (E)	k. The plan integrates all the organization's activities around a focused mission. (E) Met	k. The plan integrates all the organization's activities around a focused mission. (E) Needs Work	k. The plan integrates all the organization's activities around a focused mission. (E) Not Applicable	k. The plan integrates all the organization's activities around a focused mission. (E) Don't Know
l. The plan establishes an evaluation process and performance indicators to measure the progress toward the achievement of goals in the strategic plan. (A)	l. The plan establishes an evaluation process and performance indicators to measure the progress toward the achievement of goals in the strategic plan. (A) Met	l. The plan establishes an evaluation process and performance indicators to measure the progress toward the achievement of goals in the strategic plan. (A) Needs Work	l. The plan establishes an evaluation process and performance indicators to measure the progress toward the achievement of goals in the strategic plan. (A) Not Applicable	l. The plan establishes an evaluation process and performance indicators to measure the progress toward the achievement of goals in the strategic plan. (A) Don't Know
m. Sufficient resources (human, financial, etc.) are allocated to insure the accomplishment of the goals in a timely fashion. (R)	m. Sufficient resources (human, financial, etc.) are allocated to insure the accomplishment of the goals in a timely fashion. (R) Met	m. Sufficient resources (human, financial, etc.) are allocated to insure the accomplishment of the goals in a timely fashion. (R) Needs Work	m. Sufficient resources (human, financial, etc.) are allocated to insure the accomplishment of the goals in a timely fashion. (R) Not Applicable	m. Sufficient resources (human, financial, etc.) are allocated to insure the accomplishment of the goals in a timely fashion. (R) Don't Know
o. The strategic plan document is changed, as needed, and a new version is provided to relevant stakeholders.	o. The strategic plan document is changed, as needed, and a new version is provided to relevant stakeholders. Met	o. The strategic plan document is changed, as needed, and a new version is provided to relevant stakeholders. Needs Work	o. The strategic plan document is changed, as needed, and a new version is provided to relevant stakeholders. Not Applicable	o. The strategic plan document is changed, as needed, and a new version is provided to relevant stakeholders. Don't Know