Local Planning Timeline

The specific activities in strategic planning processes vary, based on the individual needs, expectations, culture, and time frames of the entities involved. The process described below includes common tasks, organized into the following phases:

1. Establish an Effective Local Planning Team: 6 weeks
2. Obtain Community Input and Gather Other Information: 8 weeks
3. Scan the Environment: 8 weeks
4. Conduct a SWOT Analysis: 8 weeks
5. Summarize and Discuss Initial Analyses: 4 weeks
6. Develop a Preliminary Architecture of the Strategic Plan: 4 weeks
7. Prepare Iterative Drafts of the Strategic Plan: 13 weeks
8. Engage and Obtain Feedback on Penultimate Draft of Plan: 5 weeks
9. Review Feedback and Finalize Strategic Plan: 6 weeks
10. Develop Initial Metrics and a Monitoring Process: 7 weeks

For more information, see steps in a local strategic planning process.