Strategic Planning
Introduction
The following guide has been developed by Netball Queensland to assist Associations in
formulating and/or updating a strategic plan.
What is a Strategic Plan?
A strategic plan is a road map of where your Association aims to go and the necessary steps to take
to get there. It is a process of determining long term goals and identifying the best approach for
achieving those goals. Strategic plans are generally developed for a three to five year timeframe
but should be reviewed annually as objectives and values of the Association continue to change.
Planning is an essential part of Association management. Without adequate planning, Associations
tend to only deal with immediate problems and fail to consider future needs. It is important that
everyone is aware of the Association’s key objectives and is working towards the same goals.
Below are some reasons why Associations should be actively planning:
 To prioritise goals and evaluate performance of the Association.
 To take opportunities and make decisions which have been identified to match goals and
objectives.
 Allow decision-makers within your Association to anticipate future events and to identify
any pitfalls in advance.
 Allow for more effective interaction with external bodies, e.g. Netball Queensland,
government, councils, sponsors, and funding organisations.
 Foster cohesion amongst members of the Association; i.e. members involved in the future
path of the Association.
 Become proactive rather than reactive; to clarify Association purposes and direction.
 Adopt a more systematic approach to change and reduce resistance to change.
 Initiate and influence outcomes in favour of the Association.
 Increase awareness of the Association’s operating environment (e.g. competitors,
government policy etc).
 Improve organisational control and coordination of activities.
 Educate and motivate key personnel.
Steps to Developing a Strategic Plan
Step 1: Assemble a team of key personnel and collect information
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Form a Planning Subcommittee who should meet separately and on a regular basis, to
carry out the requirements of the strategic planning processes.
Determine a planning process; this process is on-going. Outline the role of the planning
committee pre and post plan development.
Identify key people that should be involved in the planning process.
Collect and disseminate relevant information. This could be in the form of a questionnaire,
workshop and/or club health checklist. The more members who are consulted the more
the strategic plan will reflect the true direction of the Association.
Appoint an external facilitator. The process should be driven by an experienced facilitator
preferably not involved in the Association, e.g. Association Support Officer
Set aside a specific time-slot to hold regular planning meetings. The duration will depend
on the size and complexity of your Association.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Why Plan?
Step 2: Analysis
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Review previous strategies or outcomes. What has not worked? How can things be done
differently?
Undertake an analysis of trends within the sport and recreation industry (other sporting
organisations/netball groups/netball Associations). How could these trends affect your
association in future?
Analysis of your member’s needs. What were the results of the
questionnaires/workshop/checklist?
Use the results from the member analysis to identify all Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities and Threats (SWOT analysis) that influence the Association.
Undertake a unified planning approach – develop Association Values, Vision and Mission
Statement (review if these already exist). Use the information from the SWOT analysis to
develop SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely). Try to
arrange them in categories, e.g. management, operational, marketing, and financial.
Draft an action plan (see appendix for a template).
Put together all the information collected in steps 1 & 2 into a document. Below is an example of a
Strategic Plan layout. You should add and/or delete sections to fit the needs, size and structure of
your Association.
Strategic Plan Layout:
1) A cover sheet should include:
 name of the Association and logo (if applicable)
 Association address
 contact information – telephone, facsimile and e-mail
 date it was approved and review date
2) Table of contents: This needs to be accurate to reflect the details of the document to the
reader.
3) Association history: history of milestones, past successes in meeting objectives of the
Association
4) The vision of the Association: Refers to the values and the mission statement.
5) SWOT analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats
6) A list of identified goals over the long term which address the key issues outlined in the
SWOT analysis. Goals can be best described as the ‘destination points’ being aimed for.
They act as the reference guide for the decision making. They give you a clear picture of
where your Association wishes to be in the long term. Format goals in key areas, e.g.
Management, marketing, operational, financial, etc.
7) Action Plan: Tables identifying key performance areas, goals, actions, timeline etc.
Formatting the information in tables makes it easy to read and understand. See appendix 1
for a basic action plan template.
8) Evaluation: Explain how your association will monitor progress and performance. The
strategic plan will need to be reviewed yearly. Who will be responsible for ensuring the
strategic plan is adhered to and updated accordingly?
Step 4: Implement Your Strategic Plan
Give your members the opportunity to comment on a draft strategic plan. Ask if it clearly
represents the Association’s goals and directions and make adjustments where necessary. Ensure
key stakeholders agree and adopt the strategic plan at a Management or General Meeting.
Communicate and promote the Association’s new strategic plan. Enable members to voice their
opinions and vote on any changes to the document at a General Meeting.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Step 3: Develop Your Strategic Plan
References:
Aus sport commission – The Planning Process
Aus Sport Commission – Characteristics of Strategic Planning
Aus Sport Commission – Planning in Sport
Aus Sport Commission – Club planning
Our community – strategic and operational planning
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Appendix 1 – Action Plan Template
<Add Key Area> Action Plan
Goals
Actions
(The end result that your
Association would like to
achieve)
(Actions that need to be taken to
achieve those goals)
Key Performance
Indicators (KPIs)
(Establish key performance
indicators that will measure your
ability to achieve the goals)
Timeline
Responsibility
Budget
(Create timelines of
when each goal
should be completed)
(Assign someone to be
(Asses if any cost is
required to carry
out an action and
include budgets for
those intended
costs)
Completed by
November 2013
and adopted at
the General
Meeting in
December 2013
Planning
Subcommittee
responsible of ensuring
each action is
completed in a timely
manner)
Example:
To have an active
constitution in line
with the
Incorporations Act
Update the current
constitution to reflect the
changes to the Incorporations
Act
New constitution adopted by
members of the association
President
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