Strategic IT Planning and Management Resources

Consolidated Guidelines on Strategic Plan Elements

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Element

Definition

Description

Necessary?

Mission
Statement

The primary business of the organization or program, including a description of major functions and operations.

Characterizes purpose and ultimate desired outcomes.

Necessary
element

Vision
Statement

A future organizational goal (e.g., Be "number one!" in some area of performance).

Serves as a performance measure against which progress can be measured. May be omitted unless a specific, measurable achievement is within reach of the organization.

Recommended
element

Guiding
Principles

The shared values and management style of the organization.

Articulates the standards by which the organization makes decisions and conducts activities. They bound the permissible behavior that constrains the way the organization may act in carrying out its mission.

Recommended
elements

Business
Context & Critical Factors

The external and internal situation facing the organization or program that must be addressed to ensure success.

These serious issues could inhibit success unless addressed effectively. They include factors external to the organization and beyond its control that could significantly affect its achievement of general goals.

Necessary
elements

Goals, Subgoals, & Measures

General goals are major, specific future accomplishments associated with the mission. Subgoals (also known as objectives) are more specific, measurable accomplisments. Measures are current performance baselines and future performance targets relative to each goal/subgoal.

Measurable goals express immediate and intermediate desired outcomes. They are the "bottom line" for the organization or program.

Necessary
elements

Initiatives

The major actions that the organization plans to undertake to achieve the desired outcomes. They further the mission and goals of the organization.

The initiatives describe how goals will be achieved, including the operational processes, skills, and technology and the resources required to accomplish the goals.Initiatives can be prioritized to identify those that most support the strategic direction from others that, although necessary, may not be as critical.

Necessary
elements

Other Elements

As appropriate, other important elements that may be part of or may accompany the strategic plan; for example:

Additional issues that must be considered while implementing the strategic plan.

As-needed
elements

§   Balanced scorecard worksheet of baseline and target performance measures

§   Descriptions of how specific performance goals are related to general goals

§   Description of evaluations to be used in establishing or revising general goals

§   Schedule for future evaluations

§   Discussion of resource implications of individual initiatives

§   Descriptions of technologies that will help to ensure the integrity of performance data

§   Communication plan to promulgate the strategic plan throughout the organization

§   Commitment plan to ensure credibility of the strategic plan

§   Change management plan to preempt resistance to change

*Adapted from Kessler, Thomas, and Kelley, Patricia. The Business of Government: Strategy, Implementation & Results, 79. Vienna, VA: Management Concepts, 2000.

Element	Definition	Description	Necessary?
Mission Statement	The primary business of the organization or program, including a description of major functions and operations.	Characterizes purpose and ultimate desired outcomes.	Necessary element
Vision Statement	A future organizational goal (e.g., Be "number one!" in some area of performance).	Serves as a performance measure against which progress can be measured. May be omitted unless a specific, measurable achievement is within reach of the organization.	Recommended element
Guiding Principles	The shared values and management style of the organization.	Articulates the standards by which the organization makes decisions and conducts activities. They bound the permissible behavior that constrains the way the organization may act in carrying out its mission.	Recommended elements
Business Context & Critical Factors	The external and internal situation facing the organization or program that must be addressed to ensure success.	These serious issues could inhibit success unless addressed effectively. They include factors external to the organization and beyond its control that could significantly affect its achievement of general goals.	Necessary elements
Goals, Subgoals, & Measures	General goals are major, specific future accomplishments associated with the mission. Subgoals (also known as objectives) are more specific, measurable accomplisments. Measures are current performance baselines and future performance targets relative to each goal/subgoal.	Measurable goals express immediate and intermediate desired outcomes. They are the "bottom line" for the organization or program.	Necessary elements
Initiatives	The major actions that the organization plans to undertake to achieve the desired outcomes. They further the mission and goals of the organization.	The initiatives describe how goals will be achieved, including the operational processes, skills, and technology and the resources required to accomplish the goals.Initiatives can be prioritized to identify those that most support the strategic direction from others that, although necessary, may not be as critical.	Necessary elements
Other Elements	As appropriate, other important elements that may be part of or may accompany the strategic plan; for example:	Additional issues that must be considered while implementing the strategic plan.	As-needed elements
	§ Balanced scorecard worksheet of baseline and target performance measures § Descriptions of how specific performance goals are related to general goals § Description of evaluations to be used in establishing or revising general goals § Schedule for future evaluations § Discussion of resource implications of individual initiatives § Descriptions of technologies that will help to ensure the integrity of performance data § Communication plan to promulgate the strategic plan throughout the organization § Commitment plan to ensure credibility of the strategic plan § Change management plan to preempt resistance to change
Adapted from Kessler, Thomas, and Kelley, Patricia. The Business of Government: Strategy, Implementation & Results, 79.* Vienna, VA: Management Concepts, 2000.