Your Strategic Plan is Worthless
Unless you do this…
Okay — that might sound odd coming from a strategic planning consultant. But it’s true: strategic plans, by themselves, are worthless. At best, they’re documents collecting dust in a file cabinet or buried somewhere on a computer desktop. It’s like the old paradox: if a tree falls in the woods and no one hears it, does it matter? If no one uses your strategic plan, is it really worth anything?
The truth is, the plan itself isn’t what creates value — the process of strategic planning and the implementation of the plan are what make the difference. When organizations plan strategically and follow through, they’re far better off than those that don’t.
The Power of the Process
Getting everyone in the same room at the same time can feel like pulling teeth. But once you do, the results are powerful. People begin to think strategically about how to move the organization forward.
And the work starts even before the meeting. Leaders gather information:
Stakeholder expectations (those who influence or are influenced by your organization)
Organizational mandates, strengths, and weaknesses
Opportunities and threats
Industry trends and community needs
This process forces ideas to be tested, assumptions to be challenged, and new solutions to emerge. Conflict often comes up — and that’s not a bad thing. With a clear decision-making model, healthy conflict leads to stronger outcomes.
Strategic planning is also team-building. When staff, board members, volunteers, and other stakeholders dig in together, they come away more engaged, aligned, and ready to serve better.
Why Implementation Fails
Here’s the hard truth: most strategic plans fail because they’re never implemented. Leaders may spend months creating a “perfect” plan, only to put it on a shelf. No wonder people get frustrated with the whole process.
That’s why every strategic plan needs an action plan. This is the tool that makes strategy real:
Who’s responsible for what
When tasks will be completed
What resources are needed
How progress will be measured
An action plan sets priorities, creates accountability, and gives leaders a clear picture of what’s next. Without it, the strategy never leaves the page.
Keep It Flexible
Even the best plan can’t predict the future. Opportunities will change, threats will emerge, and some strategies just won’t work as expected. That’s why plans need to be reviewed and adjusted regularly — at least once a year.
Flexibility isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s what keeps your plan alive and relevant.
Final Word
So yes, strategic plans on their own are worthless. But when leaders are truly bought in, when the plan is implemented and reviewed, it becomes one of the most powerful tools an organization can use.
Don’t let your plan collect dust. Engage with it, track it, revise it, and most importantly — act on it. When you do, you’ll be amazed at the impact it can have on your organization and the people you serve.
I Can Help!
Do you have a strategic plan that just sits on the shelf, or lives in a computer file you can’t even find? I can help you through the process of creating a new plan, or implementing your current plan. Email me at brandon@mustfulstrategicconsulting.com and let’s talk.