Strategic planning tools for nonprofit organizations and effectiveness

¶ … Keys to Successful Strategic Planning

During the last several years, the issue of strategic planning has been facing continuing amounts of criticism. This is because various political and economic challenges have caused some individuals to question the effectiveness of using these tools. However, the article titled Ten Keys to Successful Planning is demonstrating how this is an operative approach for dealing with a host of challenges. To fully understand the way these ideas can help a firm requires focusing on the main points of the article. This will be accomplished by looking at: the key ideas, analyzing the strengths / weaknesses and commenting about these views. Together, these elements will show how strategic planning is an important tool that should be used by all firms.

Key Ideas

According to Mittenthal (2002) there are ten key ideas that will help to make a nonprofit successful (through utilizing traditional business strategies). These include: having an understanding of internal challenges, taking a realistic view when looking at the organization's strengths / weaknesses, being all inclusive of everyone, creating an empowered planning committee, involving senior management, sharing responsibility with the board of directors / staff members, learning from the best practices, prioritize / plan, patience and having a commitment to change. These ideas are important, because they will help a nonprofit to be able to streamline their operations. (Mittenthal, 2002)

As a result, Mittenthal believes that these ideas can be used as a way to reorganize the management structure of the firm. However, there are limitations when using these different tools. This means that all stakeholders must be willing to apply common sense and flexibility at all times. Once this occurs, is when the firm will be able to deal with a host of challenges. (Mittenthal, 2002)

Comments on these Ideas

These ideas are illustrating how nonprofits have the ability to address a host of issues. However, during the process of implementing any kind of changes is when everyone must determine if they will complement the organization's strategy. If this kind of approach can be utilized, it will help firms to streamline their operations and quickly adjust with a host of challenges. (Mittenthal, 2002)

Conclusion

Clearly, strategic planning is an important tool that should be used by all nonprofits. This is because it is addressing their most critical needs and it can help firms to adjust to a host of difficulties. Once this occurs, is when an organization is able to improve their operations and address the needs of stakeholders more effectively. This is when firms can make a difference in achieving their overall mission and objectives.