Build springboards, not boxes

Strategic planning can be a high-pressure exercise at the best of times. It demands a clear vision, a firm grasp on current conditions, and authentic reflection of diverse interest holder needs.

When your plan also needs to do the job of laying a path to change, it can seem even more daunting. Many organizations struggle to implement because their strategic plans focus on “the how”, not the outcomes. Too often plans become dated because they don’t line up with evolving realities.

Our integrated adaptive action approach makes it easier to shift and pivot as conditions change —while still staying true to your overarching strategic priorities.

We start with a process of meaningful engagement to ensure all the required voices are heard. We help you define the outcomes you want to achieve and the framework you need to achieve them.

How we support strategic planning

We’ve helped brand-new organizations set their initial strategic directions and supported mature, longstanding agencies in articulating and pursuing the changes they desire.

While the steps are often similar, each strategic planning initiative is unique, tailored to your specific requirements. Our process includes:

• Diagnostic discovery to fully understand your present state
• Process design to tailor the planning exercise to your needs and circumstances
• Evidence-gathering to provide an objective basis for strategic decisions
• Facilitation and engagement that bring the full range of interests and perspectives to light
• Integrated action planning that gives you a pathway to achieving your strategic priorities

What you get

Through our strategic planning process, we develop multi-year strategic frameworks that are:

• Forward-looking
• Adaptive
• Compelling
• Aligned with best practices
• Compliant with regulatory/legislative requirements
• Actionable, with clear outcomes and measures

We call these products ‘frameworks’ rather than strategic plans to reinforce the adaptive action outlook — co-creating flexible ways forward instead of rigid, step-by-step plans that are bound to be frustrated when they meet the real world.