How can you tell if your organization has a functioning strategic plan?

I applaud the leadership team that takes the time to collaborate with each other and come up with a list of priorities to focus on. Big things that will change how the organization does business. Commitments that drive investments. Especially when the plan is shared with and promoted to the rest of the business. Even if it isn't fully baked.

Because it isn't fully baked, is it? How can you tell?

Was the plan presented to IT and adjusted for reality? Did the introduction of the plan change how new projects were assessed? Does each person on the leadership team support all of the items or is it more of a judge lest thee be judged kind of thing? Is there a human resourcing plan?

Then it might be more of a strategic wish list. Still, it's a good place to start. But it will likely fail if there is no gap analysis, portfolio management, dependencies analysis, roadmap, service catalog, technical debt assessment, talent management, etc. You aren't a scrappy band of misfits risking it all and shooting for the moon, anymore. You have kids and retirement plans, now. Processes are needed.

So much of this is just basic inventory. And the first hurdle is getting people to tell you what they are doing and what they are not doing. It has to come from the top and they have to see that everyone is doing it.

Start taking inventory and I guarantee you will be so shocked by what you find that you will want to do something very different with the strategic plan.

If you would like help with any of the elements mentioned here, please reach out to Frameadapt.