The Importance of Focusing

Areas to Focus to enhance Strategic Planning:

1. Focus on achieving Clarity regarding Goals & Objectives

2. Focus on Completing a thorough scan before defining Strategies

3. Focus on applying a monitoring plan

WHY?

Goals and Objectives are inter-related. They are "broad long-term aims that define accomplishments of the "mission and objectives" as specific, quantifiable, relevant and realistic targets that are used yo measure the accomplishment of a goal over a period of time. Thus it is right to say that  goals describe the strategic intent of the organization while objectives are the strategic targets.

If objectives are set but not goals, the organization’s members may fail to understand the bigger picture, or lack clarity regarding why an objective has been set and its importance.

Scanning is all about getting it really Clear. The team must take time to complete a thorough scan relative to each objective. It will help to ensure the right strategies and action plans are identified and pursued.

While many are good at identifying possible ir existing barriers or challenges to achieving an objective, fewer are successful at clearly defining and agreeing on the factors that are critical for success. These factors are conditions or broad activities that are required to achieve an objective. Only after when the key barriers and success factors have been clearly identified, only the strategies and action plans can be defined and determined.

Monitoring the Plan is important and must be urgent and top of mind. This third area of focus a crucial. Most often than not, despite the best of intention, the hard work invested in developing the strategic plan is not supported with the necessary follow-up to monitor how reality is unfolding.

The basic questions that need to be put in mind when monitoring a strategic plan : Did we do what we said we were going to do? Are we making the progress that we intended? and Are we going in the right direction?

Sharing and providing feedbacks regularly with organization members is crucial to keep them informed, focused and engaged in contributing to the achievement of the strategic plan.

When embarking on a Strategic Planning exercise or having a plan that need to be monitored, it is important to consider how one can enhance the chances of achieving the strategic plan by focusing time and attention where it can make a significant difference.

www.strategicfocuz@gmail.com