Laserfiche WebLink
June 8, 1989 <br /> <br />LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES <br /> ANNUAL CONFERENCE <br /> <br />STRATEGIC PLANNING <br /> <br />WHAT IS STRATEGIC PLANNING <br /> <br />There probably isn't a local leader anywhere who fails to realize the danger <br />posed to the community by battered streets, single family and rental housing <br />shortage, lack of desired businesses and an inability to match revenue and <br />expenditures. And it doesn't take a Carl Sagan to figure out that problems of <br />this magnitude can not be solved overnight. <br /> <br />Strategic planning is a process that enables leaders to come to grips with <br />critical issues and problems facing today's communities. It helps determine <br />where the community ought to be going, identifies the resources needed to be <br />there, and develops the long and short term action plans required to <br />accomplish the objective(s). <br /> <br />Strategic planning is a systematic way to manage change and create the best <br />possible future. It is a creative process for identifying and accomplishing <br />the most important actions in view of strengths and weaknesses, threats and <br />opportunities. <br /> <br />Im.pl.e.~entation is the key to strategic planning, as opposed to long-range <br />planning an6 goal setting, strategic planning focuses on the allocation of <br />scarce resources to bring about the successful resolution of critical issues. <br />Development of a strategic plan sets the stage for the crucial implementation <br />phase. <br /> <br />Strategic planning is not always labeled "Strategic", nor is it easily <br />defined. It can be distinguished from other kinds of planning by its specific <br />methodology, as well as by these key characteristics: <br /> <br />* It is a focus process that concentrates on selected issues. <br /> <br />* It explicitly considers resources availability. <br /> <br />* It assesses strengths and weaknesses. <br /> <br />It considers major events and changes occurring outside the <br />organization or jurisdiction. <br /> <br />* It is action-oriented, with a strong emphasis on practical results. <br /> <br />Strategic planning helps a community identify its advantages in relation to <br />the external environment - its region, state, nation, and world. This <br />emphasis on external factors (which often are overlooked in traditional <br />planning) also dictates that the process involve both public and private <br />sectors. "Private sector" refers not only to business, but also to citizens, <br />community organizations, non-profit institutions like universities and others <br />outside the local government. <br /> <br /> <br />