Katlyn Slone, Program Manager
Your board has determined your organization’s strategic direction, cue your work to develop an annual work plan to advance in that direction! But what does this look like and where do you start?
As we shared in our last article, an annual work plan breaks down the strategic plan into a measurable, step-by-step process for accomplishing targeted work.
First, start with the strategic goals your board set. These are the goals you and your team now need to break down into bite-sized pieces. These pieces are objectives and tactics.
Objectives are specific outcomes that are narrow, precise, tangible, concrete, and measurable. Tactics answer the “what will we do to execute that objective” question. A good work plan may also include tools (what are you creating?), staff assignments (who is responsible?), and a timeline (when are we going to do it?). And complementing all of this, is a corresponding budget.
How about an example?
Strategic Goal 1: Strengthen and build industry partnerships for long-term financial viability
Objective: Create and execute event plan for annual December auction
Sarah G. [Jan – June 22]
a. Tactic: Confirm and reserve dates
b. Tactic: Team brainstorm to increase ROI
c. Tactic: Set promotional calendar
d. Tactic: Establish event committee
e. Tactic: Procure donations for auction
Strategic Goal 2: Maintain a sustainable organizational structure
Objective: Increase revenue 20% in the next 18 months to maintain and grow operations for organizational sustainability and effectiveness
a. Tactic: Execute membership renewal phone campaign for all lapsed members in the last two years
b. Tactic: Secure one in-person meeting per month with top members to evaluate needs fulfillment and encourage increased support next year
c. Tactic: Create and implement a campaign to introduce 3 non-members per month to benefits of membership
d. Tactic: Create, sell, and execute advertising opportunities in monthly newsletter
Work plans can be hard work, but having a detailed map to get you and your team heading to your intended destination make the journey more intentional. The work plan can be used to evaluate progress against intentions and to adjust and readjust as needed, while still keeping efforts focused on a specific, agreed upon body of work.
This Month’s Non-Profit Whisperer
From serving as a non-profit executive director, to planning large scale events in D.C., and also working in both alumni relations and development capacities for her alma mater, Katlyn Slone's career track evidences a diverse repertoire of skills.
