The board should focus on the continuous improvement of all aspects of the organization. The power to enter into contracts or execute agreements in the name of the organization belongs to the board unless authority is granted in the bylaws for other named officers, or power has been granted to assign this power to officers or agents. Strategic Planning Strategic planning focuses on the long-term view of an organization. It examines the long-term direction of an organization, while challenging an organization's senior leaders to define the future of the organization and to develop effective strategies. See Chapter 10.3.1.
Strategic planning defines an organization's vision, mission, long-term goals and major strategies.
This long-term view of planning is often facilitated by an outside consultant and the organization's external stakeholders are surveyed to identify critical issues and trends which might significantly impact the organization's mission. The primary difference between the strategic planning process and the annual planning process is the depth and breadth of the external assessment. Before embarking on the strategic planning process, consult Common Terms Used In Planning at the end of this chapter. Annual Planning Annual planning, as the term denotes, is focused on the immediate 12 to 24 months. This type of planning lays out the tactical steps the organization needs to take in order to achieve its strategic goals.