Strategic Planning vs. Responsible Planning

Most organizations need to erase the idea of the 5-year strategic plan. They need to move away from this preconceived notion of "strategic planning" and start thinking responsibly. Use a process that aligns stakeholders, managers and leaders around a vision of achievement.

Forget about what works or doesn't work for major corporations or stagnant organizations. After all, even Six Sigma goes out of style. Instead, think about what you need to accomplish and how you are going to get there.

Forget about a plan for the next five years. Instead, create a clear idea of success five years from now. Then, create a 18-month action plan of what the organization needs to do to advance toward it. Start with big ideas and distill them into clear commitments and tangible actions with committed leaders, managers and staff ready to communicate and make things happen. Check in at 11 months. Start again at 16. And, do it for five cycles -- evaluating all along the way.

Strategic planning starts with a commitment to being responsible and realistic. It involves linking ideas and actions, not crossing another "to do" off the list.