Giving Compass' Take:

• In this blog post from Putnam Consulting Group, author Kris Putnam-Walkerly argues that nonprofit organizations do not need "strategic planning," they need a "strategic catapult."

• Is "strategic planning" a waste of time? How can organizations try to make progress while also carefully crafting a strategy?

• To learn about a shift MetroWest Health Foundation made in their strategic planning process, click here.


Instead of a strategic plan, philanthropy needs a strategic catapult. We need to climb onto a big rock and catapult ourselves from our current state to our desired future state, literally soaring over real and perceived barriers.

We can do this by changing our mindset and asking ourselves different questions. Once you identify your desired future state ... brainstorm questions such as:

  • What is the fastest way this can be accomplished?
  • If we were to catapult ourselves into this desired future state, how would we get there?
  • If we could only do one thing but it would take us the farthest in implementing our strategy, what would it be?
  • What’s the main lever we could pull to achieve the greatest amount of change?
  • What’s the main thing that’s getting in our way and how can we eliminate it or move around it?
  • There are a lot of ways we can do this, but what’s the best play given current conditions?
  • Are there any changes, opportunities or openings in the environment that we can use to our advantage?
  • Are there people we can involve to help us get there quickly?

We should also look at ourselves internally to understand the barriers we’ve created that get in our way. Then remove them. As an organization, what systems, processes, procedures and rules are slowing us down? Can they be changed, streamlined or eliminated? Are all your people “A players”? Will they help you quickly implement your strategy? If not, take a hard look at them. Can they improve with training and support? If they can’t, they are no longer the right fit for the new strategy, and it might be time for a graceful parting of ways.

Read the full article about strategic planning by Kris Putnam-Walkerly at Putnam Consulting Group