Essential elements of professional practice
To summarize, understanding the importance of strategic planning is a key element of professional practice in the information professions. Other concepts that we've covered in LIBR 204, such as management, teamwork, legal issues, decision making, leadership, budgeting, marketing, etc., are also critical to understand, yet strategic planning seems to be a fundamental skill for survival in the early decades of the tech-riddled and financially-risky 21st century.
One could argue that the most important elements of strategic planning for bringing into a professional practice include:
1) Understanding how to construct and conduct a framework for environmental scanning
2) Evaluating the environmental scanning data and condensing it into SWOT categories
3) Translating SWOT categories into specific mission, vision and values statements that capture the essence of the organization
4) Using those statements to inform the creation of strategic goals, objectives, action plan steps and assessments
5) Mindfully maintaining the focus on the "big picture" and ultimate purpose throughout the strategic planning process
While Evans and Alire (2013) do discuss some criticisms of strategic planning, including the notion that it can be unhelpful or tedious due to ever-changing environmental circumstances, I believe that having at least a basic understanding of the process and the underlying purpose is essential for any information professional. Additionally, it seems that strategic planning is most effective when planners seek input from multiple committed stakeholders while valuing the involvement of dedicated staff (Evans & Alire, 2013). While involving so many stakeholders is critical, one must be aware that it "can slow down the process" (Stephan, 2010, p. 190). However, regardless of the potential effort and possible delay this involves, I think this is especially key for managers to remember as the results for the entire organization will likely be much more equitable and ultimately successful.
One could argue that the most important elements of strategic planning for bringing into a professional practice include:
1) Understanding how to construct and conduct a framework for environmental scanning
2) Evaluating the environmental scanning data and condensing it into SWOT categories
3) Translating SWOT categories into specific mission, vision and values statements that capture the essence of the organization
4) Using those statements to inform the creation of strategic goals, objectives, action plan steps and assessments
5) Mindfully maintaining the focus on the "big picture" and ultimate purpose throughout the strategic planning process
While Evans and Alire (2013) do discuss some criticisms of strategic planning, including the notion that it can be unhelpful or tedious due to ever-changing environmental circumstances, I believe that having at least a basic understanding of the process and the underlying purpose is essential for any information professional. Additionally, it seems that strategic planning is most effective when planners seek input from multiple committed stakeholders while valuing the involvement of dedicated staff (Evans & Alire, 2013). While involving so many stakeholders is critical, one must be aware that it "can slow down the process" (Stephan, 2010, p. 190). However, regardless of the potential effort and possible delay this involves, I think this is especially key for managers to remember as the results for the entire organization will likely be much more equitable and ultimately successful.