Read the colleagues response: Post a description of strategic planning in social work organizations. What are the

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Read the colleagues response:

Post a description of strategic planning in social work organizations. What are the elements of a strategic plan?

A strategic plan is an organizations purpose that is indicated by its mission statement and vision which are clear, directional, goal-oriented, and should align with the organizations core values (Greene, 2022). Typically there are short-term and long-term objectives on a flexible timeline to allow an organization to adapt to its needs, environment, competition, etc (Greene, 2022). While strategic planning is beneficial for productivity and to address competition, in social work settings, productivity and competition are not central concerns. Social work strategic planning seeks to aid organizations in "developing a clear mission, building consensus, and grounding [the] group's dream" to "develop practical ways to enact change" (University of Kansas Center for Community Health and Development [UKCCHD], n.d.). Further, most social workers have intentions that are morally sound and justice-driven, however, intentions can only get us so far. Strategic planning allows us to turn intentions into action by identifying tangible and realistic ways to affect change. For example, if an agency seeks to lower rates of overdose, they will need to determine how they want to address the issue like having a clinic to support those in withdrawal or psychoeducation on pathways to addiction or harm reduction.

How is it useful to leadership and to the organization as a whole?

Strategic planning allows leadership to understand the needs of their community and intentions of their organization. Further, leadership can determine if the intentions align with community needs. For example, perhaps the community does not have a large population of people experiencing substance use concerns, so the intention to address overdose and other addiction symptoms is not relevant. Additionally, strategic planning can inform practice. For example, perhaps once objectives are set it is clear there are insufficient resources or a gap in education. Issues cannot be addressed until they are clear and strategic planning provides that clarity and then directs action (UKCCHD, n.d.). Perhaps, the goals change along the way to address challenges. For example, gathering more resources or improving education. Thus, further highlighting the need for a flexible strategic plan that is grounded by a shared vision/mission.

Finally, identify and explain one potential problem that could arise during the strategic planning process.

Challenges will inevitably arise during strategic planning because humans and our environment are unpredictable. Resources, misunderstandings, and irrelevance are some challenges that have briefly been mentioned. Another important aspect of strategic planning is inclusivity. Good plans are open and allow anyone and everyone to participate with minimal, and ideally no, limitations (UKCCHD, n.d.). For example, a vision could be too narrow and exclude entire populations or an agency may be located in a predominantly Spanish-speaking community but lack a multilingual staff. Considering inclusion is important because we are ethically obligated to with specific focus on vulnerable populations. Additionally, failure to be inclusive could lead to discrimination which has business and legal consequences.

References

Greene, J. (2022). Strategic planning. In Salem Press encyclopedia. Salem Press.

University of Kansas Center for Community Health and Development. (n.d.). Section 1. An overview of strategic planning or "VMOSA" (vision, mission, objectives, strategies, and action plans). Community Tool Box. https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/structure/strategic-planning/vmosa/main

Respond to the colleagues by providing additional ways in which strategic planning can be useful. Also explain how the problem the colleague identified could be avoided or mitigated during strategic planning.

Make sure to provide citations and a reference list.