Planning and Decision Making

Planning is a process built on objectives and strategies based on the needs of the organization, the management and its customers or patrons.  There are different kinds of planning strategies including:
1.Goal based-focuses on a mission
2.Issue based-examines issues facing the organization and how to address them
3.Organic-process of figuring out the vision and then devising a plan to achieve it

The purpose of planning and decision making is to forecast the future, evaluate/eliminate waste, help the impact of change and to set standards for control.

Types of goals:
Organizational Goals-have a unified direction, promotes planning for the future, motivational, tools for evaluation.
Mission & Vision-the vision should be the highest goal, which may not be 100% achievable-it should be something to constantly be striving for, like providing the best service possible.  The mission and vision should be what you want the organization to be remembered for.
Strategic Goals-Long term goals which include the stepping stones on how to achieve the mission and vision.  These goals should be achievable and actually expected to be met in order to set new ones.  This is usually a five year plan.

Strategic Plans
All libraries and organizations should have a strategic, or long term, plan.  These plans are based on data collection, mission and goals and have "the big picture" in mind.  Considerations that go into strategic plans are the state of the organization, including where you are and where you want to be, the environment, who's involved (staff, management, patrons, community), collecting data internally (through evaluation and self-analysis) and externally (speaking with the community and getting feedback).

Some questions to ask:
What makes us unique? Better?
What is your market/patron base?
Who are you trying to serve?
Who is the competitor?
What resources do you use? For what? Where?

One of the assessment tools that helps to figure out a marketing strategy (yes, even libraries have to market themselves-now more than ever!) is using a SWOT analysis.  SWOT analysis is a planning and decision making aid that  helps determine Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.

The book Library marketing that works! by Suzanne Walters is a must read geared towards marketing and planning strategies for public libraries.  Chapter two is "Using a SWOT analysis to plan your marketing strategy" and includes charts and brainstorming activities for managers to fill in the blanks, leaving them with an completed SWOT analysis in to help implement future goals and plans.

In the end, there are six steps to the planning process.  They are:

1.Identify the organizations values
2.Formulate a mission and vision
3.Develop goals and objectives
4.Develop strategies and action plans
5.Implement those strategies in a long range plan
6.Monitor, evaluate and adjust the plan as needed; as objectives are accomplished and priorities shift

The key to good strategic planning includes involving everyone affected in the planning process. 

Recommended reading:
Library marketing that works! by Suzanne Walters
Strategic Planning for Results by Sandra Nelson