Strategic Plan Template & Field Guide
This page shows an example strategic plan with all fields labelled. Use this as a reference to understand what each field means, then customise the field names to match your organisation's terminology.
Organisation-Level Foundation
These fields appear at the top of your strategic plan and provide context for all your goals and projects.
An introduction to your organisation. This is where you describe who you are, what you do, your history, your approach, and what makes your organisation unique. This appears first in your strategic plan.
We are [Your Organisation Name] A pioneering charity providing dedicated services for [your service area]. We support people on their journey to [your mission], by working with each person to find their own way forward. The power of people's lived experience enables us to provide pioneering services which transform lives. [Your organisation's story, approach, and what makes you unique...]
💡 Tip: This is your chance to tell your organisation's story. Include what you do, who you serve, your approach, and what makes you special. This helps readers understand the context for all your strategic goals.
A clear, inspiring statement of what your organisation aims to achieve in the long term. This is your "north star" - where you want to be in the future.
"To be the leading provider of person-centered mental health support, empowering individuals to live fulfilling and independent lives in their communities."
💡 Tip: Your vision should be aspirational and forward-looking. It's what you're working towards, not what you're doing right now.
A statement of your organisation's fundamental purpose and what it does. This describes why your organisation exists and what it does day-to-day.
We provide high-quality, person-centered mental health support services that enable individuals to achieve their goals, build resilience, and participate fully in their communities.
💡 Tip: Your mission is about the present - what you do and why you do it. It's more concrete than your vision.
The core principles and beliefs that guide your organisation's actions and decisions. These are the fundamental values that everyone in your organisation should embody.
- Respect: We treat everyone with dignity and value their unique perspectives
- Empowerment: We support people to make their own choices and take control of their lives
- Inclusion: We welcome and celebrate diversity in all its forms
- Excellence: We strive for the highest quality in everything we do
- Collaboration: We work together with service users, families, and partners
💡 Tip: Values should be actionable and meaningful. They guide how you work, not just what you do. You can have as many or as few values as make sense for your organisation.
Strategic Plan Sections
Custom sections or chapters that you can add to provide additional context, background information, or relate to specific goals.
The heading for your custom section. Examples: "Context and Background", "Strategic Priorities", "Implementation Approach", "Governance", "Our Approach to Service Delivery".
The main content of the section. You can include multiple paragraphs, lists, or any other information that helps explain your strategic plan. This can be background information, context, or content that relates to specific goals.
This section provides important context for understanding our strategic plan. It may include: - Background information about our organisation - The environment in which we operate - Key challenges and opportunities - Our approach to strategic planning Sections can be linked to specific goals or stand alone as general information.
Optionally link this section to a specific strategic goal. If linked, the section will be associated with that goal. If not linked, it will appear as a general section in your strategic plan.
💡 Tip: Use sections to provide context, background information, or detailed explanations that don't fit into goals or projects. They help readers understand the "why" and "how" behind your strategic plan.
Example: Strategic Goal
A strategic goal is a high-level objective that your organization wants to achieve.
A unique identifier for this goal (e.g., "1", "2.1", "A", "Goal-1"). This helps you reference and organise your goals.
A brief, clear statement of what you want to achieve. This should be specific and measurable.
A more detailed explanation of the goal. This provides context and helps everyone understand what the goal means in practice.
Note: Your organisation might not have "senior managers". You can customise this field name to match your structure (e.g., "Responsible Manager", "Lead Person", "Accountable Officer", "Owner", or remove it entirely).
💡 Customisation idea: If you don't have directors, you might rename this to "Responsible Person", "Lead", "Owner", or make it optional.
Note: These are specific statements that support the goal. Your organisation might call these something else (e.g., "Objectives", "Outcomes", "Key Points", "Principles", "Values", or you might not use them at all).
- The People We Support must have the opportunity to be adventurous in their lives
- Support should be person-centered and empowering
- All services will promote independence and choice
💡 Customisation idea: You might rename this to "Objectives", "Key Outcomes", "Supporting Points", "Principles", or remove this field if it doesn't fit your structure.
Example: Project
Projects are specific initiatives or workstreams that help achieve your strategic goals.
The name of the project or initiative.
A reference number for the project (e.g., "1.4", "P-001", "2024-01").
Which strategic goal does this project support? Projects are linked to goals.
Optional: The team, department, or group responsible for this project.
The planned timeline for the project.
The person or people leading this project.
Optional: Other team members involved in the project.
Why is this project needed? What are its main purposes or objectives?
- Improve service delivery through technology
- Enhance person-centered support
- Increase efficiency and reduce administrative burden
Key checkpoints or deliverables in the project. Each milestone has a title, target date, and status.
How It All Fits Together
Your strategic plan follows this structure:
- About Us - Your organisation's introduction and story
- Vision, Mission, Values - Your organisation's foundation (set at organisation level)
- Strategic Goals - High-level objectives that support your vision
- Projects - Specific initiatives that help achieve your goals
- Milestones - Checkpoints to track progress on projects
When you view your strategic plan, About Us appears first, followed by Vision, Mission, and Values, then your goals and projects. This gives everyone context for who you are and what you're working towards.
Customisation Coming Soon
We're working on features that will allow you to:
- Rename fields to match your organisation's terminology
- Hide fields you don't need
- Add custom fields specific to your organisation
- Set which fields are required or optional
For now, you can use the fields as they are, or contact your administrator if you need help adapting the system to your needs.