Overview

If you want to accomplish more, serve your members better and achieve greater results, a strategic plan is a great place to begin. Strategic planning can take a good club and turn it into a great one!

It’s very easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day running of a club. Planning allows you to take a step back from operational tasks and look ‘over the horizon’ to be ready for the future.

A strategic plan is invaluable because:

• it describes where your club is heading, where it wants to be and the impact it wants to make,
• it communicates your club’s values, purpose, mission and goals to the management committee, members, UQ Sport and potential funding providers,
• it provides clarity on what decisions to make or not make so that the club remains on track to achieve its goals.

In this chapter we cover

Strategic planning process

The Strategic Planning Workbook resource is a guide through the strategic planning process, from purpose to implementation.

It covers

• Purpose – Your ‘Why Statement’
• Goal setting
• Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threats (SWOT)
• Actions
• Implementation and review

Focusing on collaboration and engagement will make the strategic planning process more enjoyable. Involve as many club members and stakeholders as you can so you build a sense of ownership and commitment. Remember that the process itself can be just as valuable as the outcome as it gives you a chance to think about the longer-term future, not just day-to-day operations.

Be open to new ideas when planning. Consider the evolving needs of your club and its members, as well as external factors such as technological advancements, changing demographics and social trends. Don’t be afraid to explore unconventional or bold ideas — after all, the best way to predict the future is to invent it.

Another key aspect of strategic planning is adaptability. Be prepared to adjust your plan as circumstances change and new information becomes available. 

A strategic plan typically covers a period of three or five years so, it’s essential for incoming management committee members to receive a thorough induction including both the plan and the club’s main objectives. 

Other useful links:

Check your National and State Level Organisations’ resources. They may provide a strategic plan template. It’s also valuable to review their strategic plans to ensure that your plan aligns with theirs where relevant.