Below are elements to create a strategic plan:

Planning to Plan: Worksheet

• Where are we going and how will we get there
• The outline for the process the planning group will use

Vision:

• A preferred future for the library that leads the way to success
• Where we want to go?
• The ideal world out there
• A better future
• Paints a picture of:
  • where the library wants to go
  • what it wants to be
• Hopes and dreams
• Comes from the heart not the head
• Proactive along with futuristic
• Presents the “Big Picture”
• Uses future tense
• Provides motivation and inspiration for the staff and trustees

Mission:

• The business the library is in that distinguishes it from other service organizations
• The unique business
• Outlines and clarifies the library’s purpose
• The focus of the library’s business
• Frame work for all strategies and activities
• Identifies the library’s sphere of influence and clientele
• A valuable tool for:
  • Making program and strategy decisions
  • Communicating to the community
• Uses present tense
• Tell the who, what and why

Needs Assessment:

• Recognition of present situation – Internal & External
• Where are we now?
• Forms the base on which the plan is built
• Provides an understanding of the influences acting on the library
• Identifies the possible and most likely futures
• Makes apparent the opportunities that most clearly fit the library’s strengths

Strategic Issues:

• Strategic issues are those concerns which the organization must address in order to be effective and viable
• Strategic issues may be internal or external

Goals:

• Goals are broad, general descriptions of “end states” that indicate a strategic issue is being addressed
• For each strategic issue there will be several goals

Strategies:

• Strategies are broad, general approaches to working toward the identified goals for each strategic issue.
• How do we get there?

Activities:

• Measurable and time restricted plan elements
• Specific actions which we plan to take place in order to implement our general strategy
• What timeline will move us most effectively?

Evaluative Criteria:

• Measure whether or not the library carried out the activities that it proposed
• Or – Measure whether the work of the library made any difference in addressing strategic issues
• How will we know what we accomplish?
• Informally monitor the plan regularly
• Review and revise the plan annually