Growth Management Department

Planning, Zoning, and Land Development

Overview   |  Outline   |   Model Plan   |   Strategic Planning  |   Example   |  Areas Map   |  Advisory Committees

Community Planning From a "Strategic Planning" perspective!

Strategic Planning
An effort to produce decisions and actions that shape and guide the actions and priorities of a “group”.

Through the “community planning” effort, stakeholders can examine their environment and learn about political, social, environmental, and economic factors that shape and influence current and future conditions.

Effective planning will allow issues to be examined and addressed through organizational mandates and other applicable mechanisms. The process should be action oriented and linked to operational planning.

The questions that the “group” must address repeatedly throughout the process are;

  • Who and what are we, what do we do now, and why?
  • What do we want to be and do in the future, and why?
  • How do we get from here to there?

Ultimately, “groups” undergoing this process should realize;

  • Increased Effectiveness- a framework is established to recognize and adapt to changes in “environmental” conditions
  • Increased Efficiency- less resources (material and other) are used to achieve same or better results
  • Improved Understanding and Better Learning- especially regarding the conditions which brought them to the “planning” point to begin with
  • Better Decision Making- a framework for the prioritization and implementation of goals is established
  • Enhanced Organizational Capabilities- leadership, communication, consensus building, legitimacy, and accountability are strengthened, which in turn should increase “stakeholder” (including Commission) support and involvement
  • Improved Communications and Public Relations- see above
  • Increased Political Support- see above

Caveat!
Without broad sponsorship, adequate management, sufficient resources, good timing, and a bit of luck, the process may fail!

Whenever you ask people to focus in a serious way on what is fundamental and to consider doing things differently, you threaten the existing culture, coalitions, values, and interaction patterns of a group,

What then are the ingredients of success?

  • Be sure the “group” is ready!
  • Strengthen leadership and assure adequate participation!
  • Build understanding to support wise strategic thought and action!
  • Cultivate necessary political support!
  • Foster effective decision making and implementation!
  • Design a process that is likely to succeed!
  • Manage the process effectively!

*Make sure that the time lines are realistic!
*Don’t underestimate the level of effort and the time required to do the job well!

MATCH THE TIME TO THE PURPOSE, THE PROCESS, AND THE NECESSARY IVOLVEMENTS OF PEOPLE IN THE PROCESS

STAKEHOLDER
Any person, group, or organization that can place a claim on the organization’s resources, attention, or output, or is affected by its output!

Brainstorm a Stakeholder List
Contact and Involve

Throughout the planning process it will be essential to document, define, and prioritize short and long term “strategies” with regard to the Community’s;

  • Strengths
  • Weaknesses
  • Opportunities
    and
  • Threats

For each issue or topic … ask the following question…

  • What are the practical alternatives, dreams, or visions we might pursue to address this issue and achieve our goal?
  • What are the barriers to realizing these alternatives, dreams, or visions?
  • What initiatives can be used to achieve or overcome goals and challenges?
  • What are the key actions to implement the initiatives and corresponding activities?

So what should be achieved by undergoing the “strategic” planning process to create a Community Plan?

Widely shared agreement on the plan by key decision makers and a decision to adopt it and proceed with implementation.

Provision of the necessary guidance and resources for implementation.

Substantial support from those who can strongly affect implementation success.

Widely shared sense of excitement about the substance and symbolism of the plan.