Strategic Planning
It is recommended by the ICSH (and a requirement in the VRC) that not for profit housing associations who would consider themselves to be Tier 3 produce a strategic plan. This plan should inform the strategic direction of the association, including what the priorities over the coming period will be and how resources should be allocated to meeting these.
A sample framework for developing a strategic plan (adapted from knowhownonprofit.org) is outlined below:
Strategic Plan Framework
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Main sections |
Purpose of section |
Possible sub-sections |
Sources of content |
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1. Purpose |
Make a clear statement about the reason the housing association exists; the difference you make; distinctiveness. |
Mission, vision values; public benefit Context about the sector in which the housing association operates |
Memorandum and Articles of Association Mission, Vision, Values Workshops |
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2. Drawing from the past |
Be clear about what must continue, past achievements and learning: facing the future with pride in the past. |
What we must continue to do and why Our learning from the past: about need, about ourselves, our performance including what we must do differently – use stakeholder feedback |
Review of activities of previous period against plan Review of achievements
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3. Considering the future |
Explore the environment the housing association will be facing in the future. With the mission and vision as backdrop and context. |
Tenant and community needs External environment analysis Internal environment analysis Future funding Level of ambition and approach to risk |
Scenario planning Consultation sessions PEST analysis – Political Economic Social Technological SWOT analysis – Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Skills audit / capacity assessment Stakeholder analysis Funding opportunities analysis
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4. Strategic aims, objectives and Scorecard |
Make a clear statement about the housing association’s priorities for the forthcoming period, given the analysis of what has gone on in the past, and what is needed for the future. |
High level aims with objectives for each Measures defining what the housing association wants to deliver
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Gap analysis – current situation compared to vision Resource analysis Matrix of options / decisions Cost benefit analysis Break even analysis |
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5. Delivering the goals |
Explain the key activities required by the housing association to deliver the strategy. Give confidence to the reader that the housing association has thought through the ‘what’ and ‘how’ to deliver the strategy. |
Factors critical to success - the things we High level activities over each of the years Communications plan for engagement with Risk and impact analysis Resourcing the plan: funding and financing |
Risk analysis Impact analysis Staff consultation/activity workshops Financial modelling/forecasting, financial planning Funding planning by sources Strategy map Individual performance management planning Monitoring and review plans |