Phase One: Analyze
The first phase analytical activities ground your plan in the realities of the current situation so you can apply practical criteria to the goals and objectives of the Strategic Plan. Think in terms of what it takes to do the work.
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Process Steps for the Analytical Phase |
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| 1. Define the Core Mission |
Your statement of core mission is a succinct expression of the reason your unit exists. Link your core functions to your organizational mission. This statement will:
- identify your customers and their expectations
- clarify your responsibility for providing meaningful products or services.
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| 2. Write a Statement of Alignment to the Governor's Goals |
The Governor’s vision of the Commonwealth is more readily achieved by a shared focus, partnerships and alignment of every state government agency’s actions and priorities. The value and contributions of all state government agencies working together in support of the Governor’s goals are greater than the sum of all agency’s’ individual accomplishments.
The statement of alignment should include:
- how the entity's strategic plan is aligned with the Governor's goals and;
- linked to the budget request.
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| 3. Conduct a SWOT Analysis |
Ground the plan by examining your current environment. Consider trends that influence your work. Identify Strengths and Weaknesses / Opportunities and Threats.
- Strengths and Opportunities are positive factors that suggest competitive advantages, support current strategies and improved performance.
- Weaknesses and Threats impede performance and suggest risks in the current strategies.
- Strengths and Weaknesses indicate internal conditions.
- Opportunities and Threats indicate external conditions.
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| 4. Create a Realistic Vision |
A realistic vision should accomplish improvements in efficiency or effectiveness to support your (organizational) mission or (unit) core function.
The vision is:
- an inspiring view of your desired future state
- the basis for your goals and objectives.
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| 5. Write a Vision Statement |
This description of the vision you want to achieve is a concise statement of what the organization wants to be at the end of the planning cycle.
The vision statement:
- becomes your benchmark or blueprint for the future
- extends the range of your performance potential to improve or be efficient
- advances the mission with goals emerging from the vision.
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| 6. Identify Core Values |
Values are the qualities that transform a company’s mission and vision into reality. In essence, values outline corporate culture and play an important role in our everyday activities and success.
Values have an impact when:
- Organizational values help each person establish priorities in their daily work life.
- Values guide every decision that is made.
- Organizational goals are grounded in the identified values.
- Employees demonstrate and model these values in action in their personal work behaviors, decision making, contribution, and interpersonal interaction.
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