Planning: Strategic/Operational Plan

1. A nonprofit should create a written strategic plan for implementation of its activities:
   
   
   1. The plan should reflect the results of an environmental scan that includes information on strengths and weaknesses/challenges facing the organization, as well as opportunities for, and perceived threats to, mission achievement.
      
      
   2. The plan should include clearly defined goals and objectives that are set by the organization to benefit individuals in society and should include the necessary staffing and resources to ensure that they can be met.
      
      
   3. The plan should clearly define specific activities and individual/group responsibility for their implementation.
      
      
   4. The plan should be a useful management tool for measuring activities and outcomes and should be tied to a budget.
      
      
   5. The plan should provide a framework for regular progress reports and should be reviewed and/or updated every three to five years.
      
      
2. A nonprofit should establish a formal risk management plan, which is monitored by a dedicated committee of the board (e.g. audit committee or executive committee).