Purpose & Strategic Importance
There is no single model for strategic planning. Each National Society must design a process that reflects its context, resources, and priorities. The coordination team should think through several elements to make the process fit for purpose.
Activities & Decisions
Key considerations
- Promoting participation – How can the process strengthen cohesion across the National Society? What existing dynamics can be built on?
- Collecting data and developing scenarios – What information is needed from inside and outside the Society to make sound decisions? How will future risks and opportunities be considered?
- Learning and analysing – How will the process build on lessons from past strategies or evaluations, alongside new data?
- Decision-making – What mechanisms will be used to build consensus and take decisions efficiently and transparently?
- Preparing for implementation – How will the process ensure that the final plan is ready to be integrated into wider NS processes, such as operational planning and budgeting?
Implementation Notes
Balancing perspectives
Strategic planning must strike the right balance between bottom-up inputs (from branches, communities, volunteers, and partners) and top-down leadership. Both are needed: broad consultation builds ownership, while leadership ensures choices are realistic and coherent.
Examples & Learning
Swedish Red Cross
“Our first strategy was an interim, three-year strategy. When it came to our next process, in 2022, we had much more experience. For instance, we knew we needed to make a strong link between the strategic plan and operational planning.” — Swedish Red Cross
📎 See also: Mobilising External Support Carefully and Timing and Budgeting Realistically.