Think long-term

For most organisations thinking long-term or strategically enables staff, management and trustees the chance to stand back from day to day activities, look at their achievements and set objectives and plans for the future. It will help decide a mission or vision for the organisation, examine trends internally and externally, assess options available, preferred choices of action and their wider impact on long-term sustainability. Once you know where you want to go, you will be more prepared and be able to reach your final destination successfully.

When to plan:

• Starting out or developing a new project or service
• When you want to expand or make changes to an existing project or service
• When your circumstances changes e.g. cut in funding, policy changes or needs of users
• Annual review of business plan or 3-5 year review of strategic plans