CLA Conference 2012 Strategic Planning: Keep it From Failing June 2012 Today Planning 101 1. How Strategic Plans Differ From Other Plans Strategic Planning 2. Essential Elements Seven Keys to Success 3. 1
Our Position Library Strategic Plans can be characterized as either the Starship Enterprise or the Spruce Goose. PART ONE PLANNING 101 – Strategic Plans, Master Plans and Management Plans 2
Three Simple Questions 1. What Kind of Library Do We Need to Be in the Future? 2. What Do We Need to Be That Library? 3. How Should That Library Deliver Services? Three Different Answers Strategic Plan What Kind of Library Do We Want/Need to Be? Vision, Goals, Master Plan Management Plans Strategic Directions/ What Do We Need to How Should That Action Plans Be That Library? Library Deliver Services? Library Master Plan Marketing Plans Feasibility Studies for New Organizational Reviews Libraries Governance Analysis Collection Development Staffing Review Strategy 3
Critical Balance in Strategic Planning Managing for Change Managing for Stability • Adaptability • Desired features • External Forces • Valued attributes • Continued relevance • Core values The Difference Between… Master Planning & Strategic Planning Master Planning Where We Where We Are Going Are At Strategic Planning Where We Want to Be 4
Components of a Strategic Plan Vision and Values for the Library Goals for Library Services Strategic Directions Action Plan Action Plan Action Plan Action Plan Action Plan Library Strategic Plan Implementation TET Monitoring and Evaluation PART TWO THE ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF STRATEGIC PLANNING 5
The Strategic Planning Question What Type of Library Do We Need to be in the Future? R Levien’s Confronting The Future (ALA) A Branded House or a House of Brands? a conceptual brand portfolio framework By Brian Mathews; The Ubiquitous Librarian 6
The Need for Change Use of the “ Won’t “ Not Top Public Library Sample Change ” of Mind ” Avid 17% 39% 8% Frequent 31% 17% 1% Occasional 40% 24% 23% Infrequent 12% 35% 46% Total 100% 28% 31% The Strategic Planning Question Strategic Plans are about change – fundamental and significant change – to move the library from a place that is no longer relevant and sustainable to one that is vibrant, engaged and essential to the life of your community 7
Structuring of the Strategic Plan PART THREE Seven Keys to a Successful to Strategic Plan 8
Seven Keys to Success Be courageous Be committed Be selective Be visionary Be a leader not a follower Stick to strategy: details to follow Measure your progress BE COURAGEOUS 9
The Courage to Embrace Change The SWOT is a powerful analytical tool – but only if used properly Honestly assess key strengths and weaknesses Focus on the future – ensure “ O ” and “ T ” are grounded in research on the future of communities and libraries Frame the SWOT as “ SoWOT ” – seriously consider what this means for your library BE COMMITTED 10
Commit the Time and Energy Strategic Planning is hard work Advance preparation is essential The Board and senior staff must commit a significant amount of time if the process is to be meaningful Key to Success #3 BE SELECTIVE 11
Less is More Isolate elements of the SWOT that indicate the need for change – all else is irrelevant and distracts you from the primary purpose of the strategic plan In most cases – the critical considerations can be counted on one hand – in most strategic plans 80% of the strengths and weaknesses are of no significance Be Visionary 12
“Vision statements … are also the most overused, abused, and poorly written part of strategic planning you will ever see” Peter Wright http://www.planningbootcamp.com A Good Vision Statement Describes a library that in many respects bears no resemblance to the one that we know today Sets the “ target ” for the Strategic Plan Asks and answers the really interesting questions about the future of your library 13
Some Visioning Questions Does Our Vision of the future library Have buildings; are they anything like today ’ s buildings? What are librarians doing in the library? Indeed, are libraries staffed by librarians? What are staff doing? What skills do they need? Who is using the library? For what purpose? What services are available that are not today? What can you do in the library that isn ’ t allowed today? BE A LEADER NOT A FOLLOWER 14
Leadership in Strategic Planning “ The only way a leader is going to translate a vision into reality – an ability that is the essence of leadership – is to anchor, implement and execute that vision through a variety of policies, practices, procedures and systems that will bring in people and empower them to implement the vision ” . Warren Bennis Demonstrating Leadership Embrace change – even if it is not comfortable Challenge public opinion and perceptions – be prepared to take your community in a different direction Actively engage segments of your community that no longer view the library as a important part of their life or a vital contributor to their interests “Non users?” nah…..”potential customers” Make your case for change – reasoned, defensible and practical – and then do it. 15
STICK TO STRATEGY- Details to Follow Remain Focused on the Strategic Plan ``Umbrella`` document – all other plans and policies are guided by the Strategic Plan Do not attempt to do complementary plans and policies as part of the Strategic Plan However – update existing and develop new plans and policies to be in line with the Strategic Plan 16
MEASURE YOUR PROGRESS Effective Implementation Library Strategic Plan Other Plans/Strategies Recommendations Implementation Approaches staffing budget schedules programs/services marketing accountability Capital / Operating Budget Performance Measures 17
Monitoring and Evaluation Identify a few measurable criteria of success directly related to the major strategic directions in the plan Be prepared to invest the time and resources required to establish effective monitoring mechanisms To the extent possible, tie into measures adopted by other agencies Use the measures to tell your story in a persuasive manner to those that matter PART FOUR Summing Up 18
Starship Enterprise or Spruce Goose? A Good SP? 1. Well grounded in futures research? 2. Lead rather than follow public opinion? 3. Passionate discussion, difficult perspectives on the future? 4. Things to “let go” on the table? 19
A Good SP? What We Produced Library fundamentally changed? 1. Significant reallocation of resources? 2. Review and restructure staff roles and 3. responsibilities? Update or adopt complementary plans and 4. policies? Commitment to track trends, review research 5. and monitor implementation? Finally – Have Fun; Celebrate Success 20
Questions? Thank you 21
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