Envisio Strategy & Performance Management Blog

Strategic planning is a key tool for running an effective local government. When done correctly, it turns today’s vision into tomorrow’s reality. But in order to meet the goals in the plan efficiently, local governments need a management reporting system to help them implement the plan. A good reporting system is the foundation for successful strategy execution.

While there is no "right way" to develop a strategic plan—the culture and needs of each city or county are unique—to be successful, there are key elements that should always be considered (if you want to see real examples—these are a good place to start). What you choose to include is often determined by what you're trying to accomplish. Some plans are initiated to address known issues in the community. Some are started because the elected body wants to provide direction. Others are launched because staff needs to understand how to prioritize conflicting needs. Even though the motivation may be different and there are many paths for implementation, to be effective, each strategic plan should identify a destination and map the precise turns needed to reach the intended outcomes—including a clear picture of the ideal future state, near-term priorities, and measurable goals.

City managers, department managers, and city staff members all play a crucial role in achieving the city’s strategic plan. And that’s why cascading your strategic plan down to actionable, time-bound implementation steps is crucial for execution. You want to make sure that everyone’s on the same page and staff members are prioritizing the right goals.