5.5 Effective planning
- The benefits of good planning
- Good planning processes
- Developing a governance plan
- Dealing with change and continuity
Organisations that plan well can usually survive conflict and major changes. They are also better at keeping new plans going, and they reliably deliver services and support to members and communities.
The benefits of good planning
Planning has lots of benefits, but it can be a lot of work. This means it is often the last thing that Indigenous organisations and governing bodies make time to do. So what happens? They get caught up in planning after an event has begun, and using bandaid solutions.
Planning requires organisations to look at the big picture of where they are heading. It helps them measure how well they are doing. And even if there is a high turnover of leaders and senior managers, the organisation will still be on track.
Good business planning helps your organisation to:
Good strategic planning helps you to:
The governing body should define the purpose, goals and priorities of the organisation, with the help of the CEO and other managers. The governing body should officially adopt such a plan at a meeting, and the managers and staff should then proceed to carry it out and report on progress to the governing body.
The best plans are those that are short, flexible, made part of the daily work of the organisation and are regularly reassessed.
Good planning processes
For the planning process to be effective and legitimate, it should involve:
- community members or those who your organisation represents
- the leaders—both the governing body and managers
- an enthusiastic coordinator
- stakeholders - they can often be valuable contributors to planning
- a plan that is consistent with the values and vision of the organisation
- a plan that gives the staff challenging, responsible assignments
There are many approaches to planning, but some basic steps include:
You could adapt the governance development plan to help you work through these stages. It also explains some of the basic terms, concepts and issues.
See: Resource 5.10 Template—SWOT analysis
The Western Arnhem Shire Transitional Committee has developed its draft business plan: http://www.dlgh.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/31983/was_main_report_2nd_draft.pdf
Developing a governance plan
Caption: Organisational planning, Warakurna Artists
You’ll need to decide:
- What is your overall vision for your governance?
- What issues and areas of your governance do you want to work on first?
- Who needs to be involved in doing it with you?
- What do you know about the issues already and what else do you need to find out?
- What are your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and risks in tackling the issues and making the changes?
- What are your ideas for addressing any governance problems you’ve identified?
- What are your new goals and objectives for these problem areas?
- What resources do you need?
- How are you going to make it happen—what actions will you take?
- When will it be done and by whom?
- How will you know you’re making the progress you want?
Don’t let your evaluations and planning go to waste! We all know about the hundreds of strategic plans and reports that sit in the bottom of the filing cabinet and never get used again.
Unfortunately, many people think that once you develop an action plan for changing your governance, it will simply happen. But just like the footy team, everyone in the organisation—the governing body, management and staff—all need to practise their new governance skills and procedures.
If you want to change your governance arrangements you have to stay committed to action—not just writing down your ideas and talking about them.
See: Resource 5.11 Template—Governance development and action plan
Dealing with change and continuity
Poorly prepared organisations often have a high turnover of staff and board members. They continuously change their structures and policies, and have trouble managing change and internal conflict.
High staff turnover can mean an organisation loses important corporate knowledge. New members take time to learn their roles and get a full understanding of the organisation’s issues.
Good governance is about working out the balance between the need for stability and consolidation, and the need for renewal and innovation. At different stages of an organisation’s life the balance will be different.
There are many things organisations can do to build their ability to weather changes and crises—for example, have a succession plan for leaders, update the skills of staff, manage risks.
See: Resource 5.12 Check-up—How do we manage change?
See: Resource 5.13 What can we do?—Future planning
Read next: 6. Governance rules and policies
Read previous: 5.4 Managing communications and information