Ever feel like your organization’s strategic plan is this big, beautiful document… that mostly sits on a shelf? You’re definitely not the only one!
Whether you’re deep in the trenches of a non-profit or navigating the complexities of the public sector, we bet you’ve wondered: what’s the real impact of all that strategic planning?
As consultants, we see it all the time. Organizations pour their hearts (and budgets!) into crafting these amazing strategies, but then… crickets. Implementation often feels like an afterthought, a frantic box-checking exercise at the year’s end to try and connect your daily grind to those lofty goals. Sound familiar? Yep, we’ve been there, nodding along with you!
So, what’s the deal? Why is actually doing the strategy so darn hard?
We’ve heard it all – the stretched capacity, the leadership hurdles, the “yeah, that sounds great in theory…” sighs.
Recently, I devoured James Clear’s “Atomic Habits,” and a lightbulb went off. He talks about the power of unwavering commitment to the unglamorous daily tasks, the stuff most people overlook. It’s mastering the mundane that leads to extraordinary results. And you know what? I think that’s the secret sauce for strategic plan implementation. It’s not about some Herculean effort; it’s about building clear processes, structures, and rituals that you consistently apply every single day (even when those daily tasks feel, well, a little “meh”).
Trust me, you’ve got this!
So, what does strategy implementation actually look like in the real world?
The team at Collective Results has a few tried-and-true tips to help your organization move from strategic planning to strategic action. Here are some steps to get you started on making your strategy a reality:
1. Get Your Ducks in a Row: Align Priorities and Structure
- Set those North Stars: Annual Strategic Priorities. How do you make the big calls? Check out this blog for some fantastic tips on setting priorities that actually stick! And a pro tip: resist the urge to tackle everything at once. Fewer, clearer priorities mean you’re way more likely to gain traction.
- Shape Your Ship: Align Your Organizational Structure. Believe it or not, this isn’t just for the big players! Even small organizations can benefit from designing their structure to support their strategic goals. This article offers a great look at why this matters. designing your organization to match your strategy.
- Build the Framework: Develop a Strategy Implementation Structure. Centralized (a small team leads the charge) or decentralized (everyone plays a role)? There are pros and cons to both, and the best approach might depend on your organization’s size. But we’ve often seen that getting more people involved in a meaningful way can boost connection and buy-in across the board.
2. Who Does What, and How Often? Articulate Roles, Responsibilities, and Rituals
- Name Names: Set Strategy Implementation Roles and Responsibilities. Who’s the point person for what? Who’s in charge of resources? Communication? Decision-making? Get it down on paper and make sure everyone knows their part.
- Make it a Habit: Create Strategy Rituals. Habit stacking is your friend here! The easiest way to weave strategy into your daily work is to tack implementation tasks onto existing organizational “rituals” – simple tweaks to your current routines that keep the strategy top of mind.
3. Let’s Go! Action Your Strategy
- From Big Picture to Daily Grind: Operational Planning. Think of operational plans as the bridge between your grand strategic vision and the nitty-gritty of your day-to-day activities. These annual plans detail your programs, activities, resources, and who’s responsible for what. This is where you really “bake” your strategy into everything you do.
4. Are We There Yet? Assess Your Strategy
- Keep Your Finger on the Pulse: Strategy Execution Monitoring. You can’t improve what you don’t measure! Whether it’s a simple spreadsheet or a fancy dashboard, you need a way to track progress and outcomes on your key strategic initiatives.
These are just a few of the insights we’ve gathered at Collective Results. Now, we want to hear from you! How has your organization tackled the common challenge of turning a well-crafted strategy into real-world achievements? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below!
We love helping organizations to implement their strategic plans. We’ve provided different levels of support, from developing templates and tools, to fully integrating into organizations to lead strategic plan implementation. If you’d like help, don’t hesitate to reach out!
