Linda D. Scott, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FNAP, FAAN, President, American Academy of Nursing

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2024.102205

 

Conventional wisdom tells us that a strategic plan is an organizational tool that sets direction, creates goals, and then logically, prioritizes resources. In the strategic planning process, Boards of Directors and their collective stakeholders look to anticipate the areas that will need focus in the coming years. While a mission and vision traditionally remain constant — providing clear direction — the strategic plan gives an organization the opportunity to pivot, refine, or evolve given the trends in a particular profession, body of work, or society writ large. Once the plan is developed, it has the potential to inspire new energy into an organization leaving the Board and the professional staff the chance to be bold in their tactics.