Planning

IOD offers a systematic process for strategic and tactical planning to assist an organization in mastering change while responding to current challenges and opportunities. IOD works with clients throughout every phase of the planning process to produce a working document that focuses the efforts of the organization on a day-to-day basis; and that is realistic, relevant, and responsive to existing conditions.

IOD assists appropriate staff in creating action plans for each goal or objective. These action plans guide the day-to-day activities and decisions of the staff to ensure that goals and objectives are met. To help facilitate the action planning process, IOD has developed an Action Planning Handbook, with step-by-step instructions and sample action plans. In addition, IOD can create a customized, fully automated action planning system for your organization, to standardize the format and simplify the creation of action plans, particularly for large organizations with multiple locations.

IOD typically begins the planning process with a Situational Analysis that yields a snapshot of the current internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats impacting the organization to ensure that plans and decisions are data-driven. A comprehensive analysis includes input from all appropriate constituent groups, although the scope of the analysis can vary widely depending upon the nature of the organization, the availability of existing research data, and resource considerations.

The Situational Analysis provides the structure for one or a series of planning sessions, typically in a retreat setting, with key leadership of the organization. During the retreat, IOD facilitators promote collaboration, encourage constructive dialogue, expedite problem solving, and provide overall direction as needed in clarifying the mission and establishing goals, objectives and strategic priorities.

IOD’s planning process includes procedures for ongoing review of action plans and monitoring progress toward goals and objectives to ensure that the plan becomes an integral and enduring component of the organization’s operations. IOD conducts interim plan reviews and assists with other follow-up planning activities, as needed.