Elements and Performance Criteria
- Determine framework for development of strategic plan
- Extensive consultation with council and senior staff is undertaken to determine parameters that will be used for the planning process, including time frames and budget.
- Analysis of current strategic planning frameworks is conducted to determine a methodology that is in keeping with council's environment, needs and values.
- Stakeholders who will contribute to plan's development are identified.
- Planning methodology is developed and project plan, including resource allocation, is documented.
- Goals and outcomes of plan are identified and stakeholder support is gained.
- Conduct high-level scan of council operating environment
- Extensive local, national and international research is undertaken and managed to identify key issues effecting council.
- Issues of environmental sustainability and regional economic performance are reviewed.
- Demographic and industry trend data is identified, collected and analysed to provide profiling information about the region in which the council operates.
- Key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) are identified.
- Major risk factors are identified that could constrain achievement of council goals in the short, medium and long term.
- Extensive consultation is conducted with stakeholders in the community, industry and government to identify issues and expectations impacting upon council's operations.
- Lead the establishment of council goals and key result areas
- Processes to engage council, staff and stakeholders are developed and implemented to establish council's major goals during the forecast/planning period.
- Critical success factors that will be in place to support attainment of plan are established, including staff resources, financial resources, staff skills and external support.
- Leadership to establish council's key result areas for the period of the plan is provided.
- Lead the formulation of the detailed strategic plan
- Processes and delegations are put in place and managed to develop plan in line with chosen methodology and format.
- Communications strategy is planned and put in place to ensure staff and stakeholders are informed of progress, changes and outcomes.
- Appropriate methods are employed to gain commitment to process and plan.
- Sign-off and commitment to finalised strategic plan are obtained from relevant stakeholders and participants.
- Plan and manage implementation processes
- Development of the necessary tactical or operational plans across business units or departments required to implement the longer-term strategic plan is lead and managed.
- Prioritising and human, financial and capital resourcing of programs or operational tactics are planned and conducted.
- Performance indicators or benchmarks are established in line with council process in order to determine progress and success.
- Change management process is planned and led with consideration given to the building of strong team commitment.
- Strategies to skill the workforce in order to enact the plan are put in place.
- Communication processes are put in place to inform and support staff and stakeholders during any required change and implementation process.
- Develop and manage monitoring and review process
- Processes to monitor performance against agreed benchmarks and performance indicators are put in place and enacted for relevant service delivery and corporate support areas.
- Reporting processes with council, community, staff and other agencies are planned, implemented and monitored.
- Outcomes of strategic and operational plans are monitored in line with agreed processes.
- Review or refinement of activities is undertaken in light of changing conditions to ensure attainment of strategic plan's goals.