Strategic Planning is Dead, Long Live Strategic Planning

In our last episode of the series, we'll break down one of the most overlooked yet essential aspects of modern strategic planning: employee goal setting. Using the metaphor of a relay race, we'll explore how employees (your organization’s sprinters) carry the baton of strategy across the finish line. But what happens when their efforts aren’t aligned with departmental or strategic goals? Let's unpack why employee goals often get siloed in HR systems and investigate integrating them fully into your strategic framework.We'll look at best practices for setting clear, measurable, and motivating goals and emphasize the value of autonomy in unleashing employee innovation. From Google’s 20% Rule to project sprint timelines inspired by Kickstarter, this episode offers actionable ways to transform your goal-setting process into a dynamic, participatory engine for progress. Whether you’re a leader looking to engage your team or an employee seeking clarity and impact, this episode charts the path from fragmented efforts to unified, strategy-driven action.Show ReferencesStrickler, Y. (2011, June 17). Shortening the maximum project length [Blog post]. Kickstarter. https://www.kickstarter.com/blog/shortening-the-maximum-project-lengthSound Effect by Jerome ChauvelSound Effect by freesound_communityMusic by Dvir SilverstoneMusic by Joel FazhariMusic by Melody Ayres-GriffithsMusic by SoundUniverseStudio

Explore the vital role of department planning in aligning with strategic priorities. Learn how to transform brainstorming into SMART goals and why execution often falters. Discover leadership styles that foster followership and the essential three requirements for effective plans. Get insights on the 4 Disciplines of Execution and the importance of regular goal meetings to maintain momentum. Celebrate team wins and track progress to enhance morale and trust. Perfect for leaders looking to turn ambitions into actionable outcomes!

In this episode we will be focusing on the activities done at the top level of the organization to carry out strategic planning. We’ll be looking at working through a 5-step strategic planning framework throughout the year, tracking frameworks, change management theories, and tools for tracking. Hosted by ⁠⁠Leah Sciabarrasi, PhD⁠⁠, a podcast from ⁠⁠Manifoldo⁠⁠.  Show References Balanced Scorecard Institute. (2023, July 11). Balanced scorecard basics. Balanced Scorecard Institute. https://balancedscorecard.org/bsc-basics-overview/ Community Tool Box. (n.d.). Section 14. SWOT analysis: Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Chapter 3. Assessing Community Needs and Resources | Section 14. SWOT Analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats | Main Section | Community Tool Box. ⁠https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/assessment/assessing-community-needs-and-resources/swot-analysis/main⁠ Institute For Strategy And Competitiveness. (n.d.). The Five forces. The Five Forces - Institute For Strategy And Competitiveness - Harvard Business School. ⁠https://www.isc.hbs.edu/strategy/business-strategy/Pages/the-five-forces.aspx⁠ Kaplan, R. S. (1992). The balanced scorecard measures that drive performance. Harvard business review. Mulholland, B. (2023, May 16). 8 proven change management models to scale like a pro. Process Street. ⁠https://www.process.st/change-management-models/⁠ Porter, M. E. ⁠"How Competitive Forces Shape Strategy."⁠ Harvard Business Review 57, no. 2 (March–April 1979): 137–145. Porter, M. E. (2008). The five competitive forces that shape strategy. Harvard business review, 86(1), 78. Wright, T. (n.d.). The Ansoff Matrix: 4 growth strategies explained (with examples). Strategy Software for Planning & Execution. https://www.cascade.app/blog/the-ansoff-matrix-helps-organizations-grow Music by ⁠shakibhasansayed⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠ Music by ⁠shakibhasansayed⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠ Music by ⁠SergeQuadrado⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠ Music by ⁠REDproductions⁠ from ⁠Pixabay⁠ Music by ⁠REDproductions⁠ from ⁠Pixabay

In this episode we will be focusing on the activities done at the top level of the organization to carry out strategic planning. We’ll be looking at working through a 5-step strategic planning framework throughout the year, tracking frameworks, change management theories, and tools for tracking. Hosted by ⁠Leah Sciabarrasi, PhD⁠, a podcast from ⁠Manifoldo⁠.  Show References Balanced Scorecard Institute. (2023, July 11). Balanced scorecard basics. Balanced Scorecard Institute. https://balancedscorecard.org/bsc-basics-overview/ Community Tool Box. (n.d.). Section 14. SWOT analysis: Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Chapter 3. Assessing Community Needs and Resources | Section 14. SWOT Analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats | Main Section | Community Tool Box. https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/assessment/assessing-community-needs-and-resources/swot-analysis/main Institute For Strategy And Competitiveness. (n.d.). The Five forces. The Five Forces - Institute For Strategy And Competitiveness - Harvard Business School. https://www.isc.hbs.edu/strategy/business-strategy/Pages/the-five-forces.aspx Kaplan, R. S. (1992). The balanced scorecard measures that drive performance. Harvard business review. Mulholland, B. (2023, May 16). 8 proven change management models to scale like a pro. Process Street. https://www.process.st/change-management-models/ Porter, M. E. "How Competitive Forces Shape Strategy." Harvard Business Review 57, no. 2 (March–April 1979): 137–145. Porter, M. E. (2008). The five competitive forces that shape strategy. Harvard business review, 86(1), 78. Wright, T. (n.d.). The Ansoff Matrix: 4 growth strategies explained (with examples). Strategy Software for Planning & Execution. https://www.cascade.app/blog/the-ansoff-matrix-helps-organizations-grow Music by shakibhasansayed from Pixabay Music by shakibhasansayed from Pixabay Music by SergeQuadrado from Pixabay Music by REDproductions from Pixabay Music by REDproductions from Pixabay

Strategic planning is a rule of thirds. While strategic planning involves goal setting for the top level of the organization, the follow through that’s needed involves goal setting at the department level, and then goal setting at the employee level. Each of these two other levels involves mapping into the one before it- so, departments should be mapping their goals into the larger strategic goals, and employees should be doing the same with departments. This trifold process is critical for everyone in the organization to know the role they and their department play in the organization’s future. Hosted by Leah Sciabarrasi, PhD, a podcast from Manifoldo.  Show References McChesney, C., Covey, S., & Huling, J. (2012). The 4 disciplines of execution: Achieving your wildly important goals (Vol. 34, No. 10). Simon and Schuster. Music by prazkhanal; KELLEPICS; SoulProdMusic; RomanSenykMusic; and Coma-Media from Pixabay.

Most strategic plans are not integrated in day to day operations. There is little opportunity for feedback to adjust the plan, for new suggestions to amend the plan, or for a transparent timely assessment of the plan’s progress. The environment you planned to take on is changing at a faster rate than you planned for and before you’ve even had a chance to realize your planned results. You need to stop wasting time on an old planning process that produces results that go obsolete in a matter of months, and to one that pushes you to grow in new ways and to be resilient. Let’s consider a simple, updated planning process that applies to century-old institutions, rust belt factories, and start-ups alike. What would such a planning framework have to contain in order to propel all of these organizations forward? Hosted by Leah Sciabarrasi, PhD, a podcast from Manifoldo. Show References Blackerby, P. (2003). History of Strategic Planning. Retrieved March 22, 2017, from http://www.blackerbyassoc.com/history.html Kalhorn, R. (2020, October 16). The annual strategic plan is dead: Make your team the real-time strategy. Retrieved April 01, 2021, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/renitakalhorn/2020/10/16/the-annual-strategic-plan-is-dead-your-team-is-your-real-time-strategy/?sh=7ffa4cbc13c7 Webmaster. (n.d.). List of Fortune 500 companies and their websites. Retrieved March 22, 2017, from http://www.zyxware.com/articles/4344/list-of-fortune-500-companies-and-their-websites Wolfe, N. (2010, April 1). Strategic planning is dead – Long Live Strategy Execution. Retrieved April 01, 2021, from https://www.fastcompany.com/1603160/strategic-planning-dead-long-live-strategy-execution Woyzbun, R. P. (n.d.). The Evolution of Strategic Planning. The Marketing Works, 1-8. Retrieved March 22, 2017, from http://www.the-marketing-works.com/pdf/planning.pdf

Welcome to Strategic Planning is Dead, Long Live Strategic Planning, a podcast original from Manifoldo. This series presents new ideas for planning and measuring your organization’s progress.  Hosted by Leah Sciabarrasi, PhD, a podcast from Manifoldo.