Planning Phases and Phrases You Need to Know

We love lingo that helps you learn and is easy to say. When thinking strategically about your nonprofit’s goals and developing action plans, we hope these acronyms help you remember and think through the details of an effective planning process.

When conducting an initial organizational assessment, many know the term S.W.O.T. (Strengths, Weaknesses, Threats, and Opportunities) or T.O.W.S. Consider if for your organization S.W.O.C. with a “C” for “Constraints” or “Concerns” would be a better fit.

Source: Fred David’s Strategic Management; http://ctb.ku.edu

For a planning refresh every morning – think mimosas! Or memorable V.M.O.S.A.:
Vision, Mission, Objectives, Strategies, and Action Plans.

At Growth for Good, we use the following brief definitions to help you differentiate planning terminology and guide your planning process:

Vision: Establish the long-term direction that guides every aspect of daily operations by expressing the organization’s optimal goal. Your destination.
Mission: What will be accomplished, what you are going to do, and why you are doing it. Your purpose.
Objectives: A target to be met. Realistic, measurable outcomes to determine if a goal has been achieved.
Strategies: A means to an end. Actions and methods to achieve an objective.
Action Plans: Detailed tactics, timing, and team that will be responsible for implementing a strategy.

When thinking about the elements to a strategic plan, we think it’s helpful to consider which aspects are “MEANS” vs. “ENDS.”

To remember this terminology, some strategists prefer the acronym G.O.S.T. to outline activities to meet your planning goals: Goals, Objective, Strategy, and Tactic. Here’s an example:

Goal: Ensure organizational sustainability to support our work
Objective: Send quarterly communications starting 7/1/18
Strategy: Strengthen and expand funder and partner relations
Tactic: Develop database of key stakeholders – B. Wilson by 6/1/18

A strategic plan ensures that the most effective use is made of your organization’s financial and human resources by focusing on the key priorities. We hope this planning lingo provide memorable structures that will guide your road map for growth!

To learn more about our strategic, development, and marketing services, visit: www.growthforgood.com

“Working with Growth for Good helped RHP accelerate our strategic planning process and brought us options for the future that we haven’t even considered. The benefits will stay with our school for years to come.” – Anna Siegal, Red Hook Playgroup executive director