Determining Purpose and Scope
Consider this:
"If we could first know where we are and whither we are tending,
we could better judge what to do and how to do it."
-Abraham Lincoln
"Over the past few weeks you have been introduced to the strategic planning process, various models, and participants. This week we will begin the actual planning process by determining the Purpose (why) and Scope (parameters). This step is crucial and must be done early to avoid miscommunication or false assumptions. One of the most common errors in strategic planning occurs when participants do not discuss the purpose and scope of the planning process. Thus, one person may believe the scope is to generate a plan that addresses technology needs for the entire company, while another assumes the scope to be limited to the technology needs within one department. A lack of communication and clear direction can lead to false assumptions and the eventual failure of the planning process. To avoid this type of failure and to provide specific focus and direction to the planning process the purpose and scope must be identified and agreed upon by those involved. In essence, the purpose and scope specifically identify why the planning is occurring and the boundaries surrounding the process. By clearly identifying the reasons for and parameters of the planning process particpants can focus and plan with a common target in sight.
Determining the Purpose and Scope is a common practice in strategic planning, but Scope is also important within the realms of project management and needs assessment. Because knowledge of project management and needs assessment are sought-after skills, this lesson will touch on the process of determining scope in project management situations as well as for needs assessments. Some of the steps are common to all, but others (such as Work Breakdown Structure) are specific to project management. The readings related to project management and needs assessements are not meant to confuse the topic and detract from strategic planning. Rather, they have been included to demonstrate that determining Purpose and Scope is an important step for a variety of processes and that the methods for determining these are similar across situations. To complicate matters further, you will see that Vision is mentioned often in conjunction with Scope throughout the readings. These two items are often determined together so it was nearly impossible to find readings that did not contain both. You will read much more about Vision in next week's lesson, but until then let's get back to the task at hand and learn how to identify the Purpose and Scope of strategic planning."
Source:
Dr. Cheryl Murphy, University of Arkansas main campus professor of Strategic Planning & IDT Programs
Saturday, September 25, 2010
How to Create a Scope and Manage a Meeting
*
Develop and Present Project Plan, Scope, and Timeline - this article offers great suggestions for avoiding the most common pitfalls in project management associated with scope. While it does focus on project management, there are many aspects that carry over into strategic planning and reading this short article will give you good ideas for things you may want to discuss as you are working on the scope for your strategic planning project. (http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/project/HA011718501033.aspx)
* Strategic Planning from the Stanford Alumni Consulting Team (ACT) -This is a quick read, but it provides good information concerning the processes, deliverables, and best practices to consider for strategic planning. Read the entire article including the parts hidden behind the "more…" areas. (https://alumni.gsb.stanford.edu/act/resources/askact/strategicplan.html)
* Defining the Scope of a Project - as the title indicates, this reading is focused more on defining the scope of a project. However, it contains information relevant to both strategic planning and project management. It is only 7 pages in length so you will want to read it all to get the full impact. (http://www.projectperfect.com.au/downloads/Info/info_define_the_scope.pdf)
* Putting the Cart After the Horse: Project Planning and Scope Definition - this site briefly discusses planning and defining scope. It offers good suggestions and advice and helps to bring to light why it is important to determine scope on the front end of the process. It is a quick read, go through all of it. (http://www.developerfusion.com/article/7066/putting-the-cart-after-the-horse-project-planning-and-scope-definition/)
* Step 1.2: Define Project Scope and Vision - this chapter from the WWF organization provides specific examples of determining scope for conservation projects. It will give you a good idea of how different the process of determining scope can be based on the entity you are working with. In this case, scope is very much related to geopgraphy and purpose, which is very different from the scope for technology-based strategic plans. (http://assets.panda.org/downloads/1_2_scope___vision_2006_05_17.pdf)
* Scope Statement Outline - this web page provides nothing more than a list of things you may want to consider including in a Scope Statement for a specific project. This site is focused on project management, but some of the items should be addressed when developing the scope for a strategic plan. Check it out if you want more information. (http://www.nsba.org/sbot/toolkit/ritp.html)
* Meetings: A Necessary Evil by Peter Wright - this article gives good step-by-step directions on how to plan and run planning meetings. As you begin to plan your meetings you may want to use this article as a guide. (http://www.charityvillage.com/cv/research/rstrat40.html)
Develop and Present Project Plan, Scope, and Timeline - this article offers great suggestions for avoiding the most common pitfalls in project management associated with scope. While it does focus on project management, there are many aspects that carry over into strategic planning and reading this short article will give you good ideas for things you may want to discuss as you are working on the scope for your strategic planning project. (http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/project/HA011718501033.aspx)
* Strategic Planning from the Stanford Alumni Consulting Team (ACT) -This is a quick read, but it provides good information concerning the processes, deliverables, and best practices to consider for strategic planning. Read the entire article including the parts hidden behind the "more…" areas. (https://alumni.gsb.stanford.edu/act/resources/askact/strategicplan.html)
* Defining the Scope of a Project - as the title indicates, this reading is focused more on defining the scope of a project. However, it contains information relevant to both strategic planning and project management. It is only 7 pages in length so you will want to read it all to get the full impact. (http://www.projectperfect.com.au/downloads/Info/info_define_the_scope.pdf)
* Putting the Cart After the Horse: Project Planning and Scope Definition - this site briefly discusses planning and defining scope. It offers good suggestions and advice and helps to bring to light why it is important to determine scope on the front end of the process. It is a quick read, go through all of it. (http://www.developerfusion.com/article/7066/putting-the-cart-after-the-horse-project-planning-and-scope-definition/)
* Step 1.2: Define Project Scope and Vision - this chapter from the WWF organization provides specific examples of determining scope for conservation projects. It will give you a good idea of how different the process of determining scope can be based on the entity you are working with. In this case, scope is very much related to geopgraphy and purpose, which is very different from the scope for technology-based strategic plans. (http://assets.panda.org/downloads/1_2_scope___vision_2006_05_17.pdf)
* Scope Statement Outline - this web page provides nothing more than a list of things you may want to consider including in a Scope Statement for a specific project. This site is focused on project management, but some of the items should be addressed when developing the scope for a strategic plan. Check it out if you want more information. (http://www.nsba.org/sbot/toolkit/ritp.html)
* Meetings: A Necessary Evil by Peter Wright - this article gives good step-by-step directions on how to plan and run planning meetings. As you begin to plan your meetings you may want to use this article as a guide. (http://www.charityvillage.com/cv/research/rstrat40.html)
How to Determine Who are the Stakeholders
*
The Role of a Strategic Planner - this short article by Ruth Teale describes some of the various roles that you could play as a lead strategic planner. It also describes some of the qualities that are needed in order to facilitate an effective planning process. It is important to understand what the business/organization needs from you and to provide them with the support and facilitation they need. Every planning situation is different, but Ruth does a great job of identifying some of the most common roles that strategic planners find themselves embracing as well as some of the most needed skills of strategic planners. As you read through all of this short article see if you can identify some of the roles that you feel you may play this semester as well as the skills you will need as you complete your strategic planning project. (http://www.changedesigns.co.za/The_role_of_a_strategic_planner.htm)
* Who Should be Involved in Planning - this portion of a website for strategic planning addresses "who" should be involved in the process and supplies caveats to consider when putting together a planning team. It will be impossible for you to meet all of the suggestions provided, but take note of the recommendations and consider which you can follow as you complete your strategic planning project.
(http://www.managementhelp.org/plan_dec/str_plan/str_plan.htm#anchor4293669732)
* Who are Stakeholders and What is Their Role -this brief article will give you a lot to consider when you are putting together your planning committee and determining your stakeholders. The article discusses the individuals that you might want to consider and discusses how to win support from stakeholders. As with the other web readings, it is a short reading, but gives good suggestions and information. Read the entire article for the full benefit.
(http://university-essays.tripod.com/stakeholders.html)
* Stakeholder Analysis - Regardless of how talented a strategic planner may be, there are always going to be people who oppose the planning process and "champions" who support every step of the process. The important thing is to identify all of the stakeholders involved and attempt to understand their interest level (high, low), positions (directly involved, indirectly involved), and power (high, low) within the process. This article does a good job of explaining the steps of conducting a stakeholder analysis and will serve as a guide for you as you complete a Stakeholder Analysis for your strategic planning project. This is a short article but contains crucial information. As such, you will want to ensure that you read the entire article at least once, and maybe twice. :)
(http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newPPM_07.htm)
* Roles in Technology Planning - this site contains information on the roles involved in creating a technology strategic plan for a K-12 school. If you are interested in technololgy planning in a k-12 environment you may want to check out this site for more information.
The Role of a Strategic Planner - this short article by Ruth Teale describes some of the various roles that you could play as a lead strategic planner. It also describes some of the qualities that are needed in order to facilitate an effective planning process. It is important to understand what the business/organization needs from you and to provide them with the support and facilitation they need. Every planning situation is different, but Ruth does a great job of identifying some of the most common roles that strategic planners find themselves embracing as well as some of the most needed skills of strategic planners. As you read through all of this short article see if you can identify some of the roles that you feel you may play this semester as well as the skills you will need as you complete your strategic planning project. (http://www.changedesigns.co.za/The_role_of_a_strategic_planner.htm)
* Who Should be Involved in Planning - this portion of a website for strategic planning addresses "who" should be involved in the process and supplies caveats to consider when putting together a planning team. It will be impossible for you to meet all of the suggestions provided, but take note of the recommendations and consider which you can follow as you complete your strategic planning project.
(http://www.managementhelp.org/plan_dec/str_plan/str_plan.htm#anchor4293669732)
* Who are Stakeholders and What is Their Role -this brief article will give you a lot to consider when you are putting together your planning committee and determining your stakeholders. The article discusses the individuals that you might want to consider and discusses how to win support from stakeholders. As with the other web readings, it is a short reading, but gives good suggestions and information. Read the entire article for the full benefit.
(http://university-essays.tripod.com/stakeholders.html)
* Stakeholder Analysis - Regardless of how talented a strategic planner may be, there are always going to be people who oppose the planning process and "champions" who support every step of the process. The important thing is to identify all of the stakeholders involved and attempt to understand their interest level (high, low), positions (directly involved, indirectly involved), and power (high, low) within the process. This article does a good job of explaining the steps of conducting a stakeholder analysis and will serve as a guide for you as you complete a Stakeholder Analysis for your strategic planning project. This is a short article but contains crucial information. As such, you will want to ensure that you read the entire article at least once, and maybe twice. :)
(http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newPPM_07.htm)
* Roles in Technology Planning - this site contains information on the roles involved in creating a technology strategic plan for a K-12 school. If you are interested in technololgy planning in a k-12 environment you may want to check out this site for more information.
Strategic Planning Models
Ever wonder if there are different types of strategic planning models???
You have come to the right place!!!
Look below for more information:
* Basic Steps to a Strategic Planning Process - this site identifies the 5 most basic steps of any strategic plan. There are many models of strategic planning, but these 5 steps are found in nearly all models and are the foundation of a good strategic planning process. Read through all 5 steps on the page. (http://www.namac.org/strategic-planning-steps)
* Basic Overview of Various Strategic Planning Models - this website provides a great snapshot of five different types of strategic planning models including "basic" strategic planning, issue or goal-based planning, alignment, scenario, and organic planning. Each of these models provide the organization with a different outcome and a different approach. Read through all five descriptions and see if you can identify examples of when each might be appropriate. (http://www.managementhelp.org/plan_dec/str_plan/models.htm)
* Best Practices: Report # 3 Strategic Planning - this report was created by the Foundation for Community Association Research and is intended to help community associations plan for a successful future. Even though it is geared toward community associations, it does a great job of describing both top-down and bottom-up strategic planning models and identfying the strengths and weaknesses of each. The article also does a good job of describing the key components of both of these forms of strategic planning. The entire article is 26 pages, but you only need to read the first 13 pages to get the full effect. (http://www.cairf.org/research/bpstrategic.pdf)
* The IT Strategic Plan Step-by-Step - this brief article (only 6 pages of article text) provides a solid overview of the steps involved in an IT strategic planning process. A model is provided and each step is discussed briefly. Read the entire article to get an idea of the activities that are performed in an IT strategic planning situation. (http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/html/itp/Forr051104202400.pdf)
* Steps of the Strategic Planning Process - this site contains more on the basic steps of the strategic planning process. Check it out if you want more information.
* The Curriculum-Centered Strategic Planning Model - If you want to know more about strategic planning that involves curriculum check out the information found on this site. It offers great ideas and suggestions for the strategic planning of curriculum.
* Listening to the People: A Strategic Planning Model for Cooperative Extension - this website is a very brief article on how to use the strategic planning process to aid cooperative extension agencies. .
You have come to the right place!!!
Look below for more information:
* Basic Steps to a Strategic Planning Process - this site identifies the 5 most basic steps of any strategic plan. There are many models of strategic planning, but these 5 steps are found in nearly all models and are the foundation of a good strategic planning process. Read through all 5 steps on the page. (http://www.namac.org/strategic-planning-steps)
* Basic Overview of Various Strategic Planning Models - this website provides a great snapshot of five different types of strategic planning models including "basic" strategic planning, issue or goal-based planning, alignment, scenario, and organic planning. Each of these models provide the organization with a different outcome and a different approach. Read through all five descriptions and see if you can identify examples of when each might be appropriate. (http://www.managementhelp.org/plan_dec/str_plan/models.htm)
* Best Practices: Report # 3 Strategic Planning - this report was created by the Foundation for Community Association Research and is intended to help community associations plan for a successful future. Even though it is geared toward community associations, it does a great job of describing both top-down and bottom-up strategic planning models and identfying the strengths and weaknesses of each. The article also does a good job of describing the key components of both of these forms of strategic planning. The entire article is 26 pages, but you only need to read the first 13 pages to get the full effect. (http://www.cairf.org/research/bpstrategic.pdf)
* The IT Strategic Plan Step-by-Step - this brief article (only 6 pages of article text) provides a solid overview of the steps involved in an IT strategic planning process. A model is provided and each step is discussed briefly. Read the entire article to get an idea of the activities that are performed in an IT strategic planning situation. (http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/html/itp/Forr051104202400.pdf)
* Steps of the Strategic Planning Process - this site contains more on the basic steps of the strategic planning process. Check it out if you want more information.
* The Curriculum-Centered Strategic Planning Model - If you want to know more about strategic planning that involves curriculum check out the information found on this site. It offers great ideas and suggestions for the strategic planning of curriculum.
* Listening to the People: A Strategic Planning Model for Cooperative Extension - this website is a very brief article on how to use the strategic planning process to aid cooperative extension agencies. .
Websites that explain what Strategic Planning entails...
Ever wonder what is strategic planning and what it entails???
Strategic Planning; Whats So Strategic About It? - this brief article (3 pages) by Bart Strong does not provide a definition of strategic planning. Rather, he identifies what it means to plan "strategically" and introduces several key concepts. In this article Bart hits on numerous important topics that you will see again and again. Be certain to read all of this short but important article as many of the ideas will be discussed in future lessons. (http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/eqm0510.pdf)
Key Concepts of Strategic Planning - just as the title indicates, this web page identifies some of the key ideas and definitions for the strategic planning process. It is a brief site and it should only take a few minutes to read through all of the information.
(http://competitive-intelligence.mirum.net/strategic-planning/key-concepts.html)
Strategic Planning: Is it for You? - this website provides a quick snapshot of the key steps in the planning process. It provides bulleted lists for easy reading and will be your first introduction to the various steps and substeps. As with the previous readings, it is fairly short but contains good information. Read through the entire page. (http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/rural/facts/93-041.htm)
* What is Strategic Planning Anyhow? - this chapter from a strategic planning book does a good job of outlining the basic ideas, concepts, and definitions of strategic planning. It is written from a business perspective, but the ideas it presents are universal. Even though it is 14 pages, it is a quick read and you should read the entire chapter. (http://media.wiley.com/product_data/excerpt/64/04700371/0470037164.pdf)
* Is Strategic Planning for Technology an Oxymoron? - this article by Martin Ringle and Daniel Updegrove looks at strategic planning from a technology perspective. The other readings dealt with strategic planning in general. This article does an excellent job of bringing to light some of the unique issues related to technology strategic planning. You will find the information contained within the article useful later in the semester as you work on completing your own technology strategic plan. Read the entire article to get the full benefit of this reading. (http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/html/cem/cem98/cem9814.html)
* Strategic Planning (in non-profit and for profit organizations) - this site contains information and links about nearly every aspect of the strategic planning process. Check it out if you want more information.
* Wikipedia definition of Strategic Planning - If you want to know more about strategic planning or link out to related sites check out the information on Wikipedia.
* The Center for Simplified Strategic Planning - this website is dedicated to making information available and easy to understand when it comes to strategic planning. If you are having trouble understanding concepts, try looking it up on this site.
Strategic Planning; Whats So Strategic About It? - this brief article (3 pages) by Bart Strong does not provide a definition of strategic planning. Rather, he identifies what it means to plan "strategically" and introduces several key concepts. In this article Bart hits on numerous important topics that you will see again and again. Be certain to read all of this short but important article as many of the ideas will be discussed in future lessons. (http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/eqm0510.pdf)
Key Concepts of Strategic Planning - just as the title indicates, this web page identifies some of the key ideas and definitions for the strategic planning process. It is a brief site and it should only take a few minutes to read through all of the information.
(http://competitive-intelligence.mirum.net/strategic-planning/key-concepts.html)
Strategic Planning: Is it for You? - this website provides a quick snapshot of the key steps in the planning process. It provides bulleted lists for easy reading and will be your first introduction to the various steps and substeps. As with the previous readings, it is fairly short but contains good information. Read through the entire page. (http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/rural/facts/93-041.htm)
* What is Strategic Planning Anyhow? - this chapter from a strategic planning book does a good job of outlining the basic ideas, concepts, and definitions of strategic planning. It is written from a business perspective, but the ideas it presents are universal. Even though it is 14 pages, it is a quick read and you should read the entire chapter. (http://media.wiley.com/product_data/excerpt/64/04700371/0470037164.pdf)
* Is Strategic Planning for Technology an Oxymoron? - this article by Martin Ringle and Daniel Updegrove looks at strategic planning from a technology perspective. The other readings dealt with strategic planning in general. This article does an excellent job of bringing to light some of the unique issues related to technology strategic planning. You will find the information contained within the article useful later in the semester as you work on completing your own technology strategic plan. Read the entire article to get the full benefit of this reading. (http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/html/cem/cem98/cem9814.html)
* Strategic Planning (in non-profit and for profit organizations) - this site contains information and links about nearly every aspect of the strategic planning process. Check it out if you want more information.
* Wikipedia definition of Strategic Planning - If you want to know more about strategic planning or link out to related sites check out the information on Wikipedia.
* The Center for Simplified Strategic Planning - this website is dedicated to making information available and easy to understand when it comes to strategic planning. If you are having trouble understanding concepts, try looking it up on this site.
Blog #4
Blog #4.
This week you will continue with your weekly blog post. The blog will serve as a chronological accounting for your activities in this course, but more specifically, it should highlight your experiences related to performing the mini projects and the main final project for this course. As such, within your post you should include the following recap for the week:
* Briefly describe the main points of what you learned from the readings for the week
The main points I learned from the readings was to develop a strategic vision, ensure that it is positive, compelling, emotional, energetic, uplifting, inspiring, and that it draws upon the beliefs of the organization’s mission and values. It should be a powerful phrase that will affect everyone, for example, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc.’s vision is to "Provide women with an unparalleled opportunity for financial independence, career and personal fulfillment; and to achieve total customer satisfaction by delivering the products and services that enhance a woman's self-image and confidence." I learned that brainstorming is a key idea when gathering an organization to create a vision plan. It is very important to involve only the key people involved and gather their thoughts from the brainstorm exercise and create a compelling vision statement and submit it to each person for review. This will hinder public wordsmithing and hurt feelings. The Cassidy reading was more geared toward a business but I learned a lot from it too. According to Cassidy, a vision team should not be a large group, a minimum of 25 depending upon the organization is best. She includes ideas to get everyone involved excited and supportive of the vision process. For example, she suggests sending an email notification on page 78. The email notification is confidential surveys of questions which are focused objectives to assist an employee do their job. If the employee completes this task by the deadline it offers a chance to be entered into a drawing for a $100.00 gift certificate.
* Identify areas that were a little confusing from the readings
This week the Cassidy reading and the book were hand in hand and I like the of all of the readings. It helped me to understand and it literally was the most understanding material thus far. The readings this week taught me how to create a powerful vision that is a positive, emotionally charged, and uplifting vision. I am more excited about our meeting next week and more relaxed now that I understand the material more.
* Discuss your work on your mini projects and overall technology strategic planning project including successes and setbacks
Everything is going as planned and I cannot express how much I am excited and how much I truly believe this is the perfect fit that I truly need. Both of the organizations each have a mission, vision, and values but their collaboration project has yet to develop one. The collaboration project has a set of values and a mission statement but has not began the vision statement. They wanted to merge both of their visions together but have yet to decide. I know understand how beneficial it is for me to complete this task of being the facilitator and helping them achieve the vision that meets their committee’s needs. We have a meeting scheduled for this Wednesday, September 28, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. I was very concerned about what I intend to say but I think the outline will be of a great assistance to me. I seem to become tongue tied if I don’t have a script…I noted to one of my friends that I feel lost without notes when I am speaking to a group. She noted that even President Obama uses a teleprompter so not to feel bad about it. This week was very smooth because I did not have any setbacks, only the success of gaining more knowledge and experience in the vision statement planning part. I am sure this upcoming meeting will be great and I am prepared as well as excited!
Best wishes to us all on our meetings! :-)
:-)
This week you will continue with your weekly blog post. The blog will serve as a chronological accounting for your activities in this course, but more specifically, it should highlight your experiences related to performing the mini projects and the main final project for this course. As such, within your post you should include the following recap for the week:
* Briefly describe the main points of what you learned from the readings for the week
The main points I learned from the readings was to develop a strategic vision, ensure that it is positive, compelling, emotional, energetic, uplifting, inspiring, and that it draws upon the beliefs of the organization’s mission and values. It should be a powerful phrase that will affect everyone, for example, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc.’s vision is to "Provide women with an unparalleled opportunity for financial independence, career and personal fulfillment; and to achieve total customer satisfaction by delivering the products and services that enhance a woman's self-image and confidence." I learned that brainstorming is a key idea when gathering an organization to create a vision plan. It is very important to involve only the key people involved and gather their thoughts from the brainstorm exercise and create a compelling vision statement and submit it to each person for review. This will hinder public wordsmithing and hurt feelings. The Cassidy reading was more geared toward a business but I learned a lot from it too. According to Cassidy, a vision team should not be a large group, a minimum of 25 depending upon the organization is best. She includes ideas to get everyone involved excited and supportive of the vision process. For example, she suggests sending an email notification on page 78. The email notification is confidential surveys of questions which are focused objectives to assist an employee do their job. If the employee completes this task by the deadline it offers a chance to be entered into a drawing for a $100.00 gift certificate.
* Identify areas that were a little confusing from the readings
This week the Cassidy reading and the book were hand in hand and I like the of all of the readings. It helped me to understand and it literally was the most understanding material thus far. The readings this week taught me how to create a powerful vision that is a positive, emotionally charged, and uplifting vision. I am more excited about our meeting next week and more relaxed now that I understand the material more.
* Discuss your work on your mini projects and overall technology strategic planning project including successes and setbacks
Everything is going as planned and I cannot express how much I am excited and how much I truly believe this is the perfect fit that I truly need. Both of the organizations each have a mission, vision, and values but their collaboration project has yet to develop one. The collaboration project has a set of values and a mission statement but has not began the vision statement. They wanted to merge both of their visions together but have yet to decide. I know understand how beneficial it is for me to complete this task of being the facilitator and helping them achieve the vision that meets their committee’s needs. We have a meeting scheduled for this Wednesday, September 28, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. I was very concerned about what I intend to say but I think the outline will be of a great assistance to me. I seem to become tongue tied if I don’t have a script…I noted to one of my friends that I feel lost without notes when I am speaking to a group. She noted that even President Obama uses a teleprompter so not to feel bad about it. This week was very smooth because I did not have any setbacks, only the success of gaining more knowledge and experience in the vision statement planning part. I am sure this upcoming meeting will be great and I am prepared as well as excited!
Best wishes to us all on our meetings! :-)
:-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)