Every organization needs to encourage strategic planning. Conventional wisdom says “if you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.” Here is a process that works.
1) Start by deciding the time period you mean by “the future.” This can vary with the industry. For most, a three to five year period is used.
During my career, I was the guy who had the privilege of regularly going back to my organization’s leadership team and reminding them that they had chosen three to five years. When that time had expired, I would say “Welcome to the future. How’d that go for you? We need to do it again!”
Also, recognize that something completely disruptive can come along. That should compel the organization to revisit the strategy.
