Strategic Planning Process Sounding Board

A sounding board for the timeline and key activities in our strategic planning process would be greatly beneficial. The board chair and I will be jointly leading the process for the organization. Instead of beginning with the SWOT analysis and following the typical strategic planning process, the board chair had the idea to proceed as described below. We would like insights from an experienced strategic planning process leader if this is a sound strategy, and any insights into possible pitfalls from this process, or gaps that we should ensure we fill in. We would be conducting the process from now (October) until mid-March. Rather than beginning by conducting a SWOT analysis, the timeline of key activities planned is:

1) The board will all work to secure some informal input from identified key connections among our stakeholders by the first strategic planning retreat in early November .

2) Engage in the first retreat, of which the goal is to work backwards from the organization’s 20th Anniversary (August 2026) as a relaunch date for the Vision, Mission, and new strategic plan. We would do this by focusing on:
a. Impact: Looking 5 years out, how would we describe the unique impact of the organization in a few words?
b.  Vision: Start by reviewing our current vision statement
c.  Mission: Consider whether to revise our Mission Statement
d. Strategy: work through a high level plan of how we will pursue our vision and mission. If we can document 3-5 measurable goals, we will have the basis for putting in place the approaches needed to secure them.  

3) After the first retreat, feel out our vision/mission and goals with stakeholders.

4) If met with approval: conduct the SWOT analysis to learn if these are achievable and determine what we need for the them to be so, and focus on activities and objectives. If not well-received: revise the plan.