A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). If you require further information, regarding this report, call the Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA website: www.ontario.ca/omafra.
STRATEGIC PLANNING RESOURCE MANUAL
This publication provides a step-by-step process as well as resources and tools for leading groups through strategic planning. Strategic planning is a process that helps groups work towards a desired future by focusing energy and resources on shared goals. It helps groups to assess and adjust strategic direction in response to changing environments.
A strategic plan is a formally written document that guides a group’s decision making process toward achieving desired goals that align with their mission and vision statements. It also helps in allocating resources (volunteer, staff, monetary, infrastructure, etc.) and prioritizing actions.
The strategic planning process can be divided into the following five stages:
– preparation;
– develop a vision and mission;
– collect and analyze information;
– develop goals and action plans; and
– implement and monitor.
OMAFRA offers a Strategic Planning Resource Manual that is designed to support groups that have identified strategic planning as a priority. The manual has been written for the group and facilitator who are responsible for leading a group through the strategic planning process, and provides a step-by-step process as well as resources and tools to assist with each stage of the process.
For the entire article and to receive a free copy of the Strategic Planning Resource Manual, complete a request form at http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/rural/edr/sp/reg-form.htm.
For more information, call 1-877-424-1300 or e-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.
