Conducting a full strategic planning process can take upwards of six months or more if your nonprofit is looking to make substantial changes or is facing particularly complex challenges. You want to establish a timeline that accounts for your nonprofit’s current and projected workload, significant upcoming events, or other factors that might impact the process. Through the Prepare stage, you may determine that a lighter strategic refresh process, which can be completed more quickly, is all you need to realign your nonprofit’s purpose or refine specific parts of your existing plan.
You may feel a sense of urgency or need for speed. Be cautious about moving too quickly as this could reduce meaningful engagement opportunities with staff, board, volunteers, partners, and community members. Remember to be honest about what is required to meet your strategic planning process goals and ensure your desired pace is realistic given your organization’s commitments.