Building on the need to invest time and energy into action planning as outlined in the blog post, "Committing to Action: The Missing Step...

A strategic plan shouldn’t sit on a shelf. When the non-profit Board and Executive Director stay connected to the plan, clear KPIs, accountability, tracking and reporting make it easier to see what’s working, what’s not, and where it’s time to adjust. What do you do at your Board meetings to keep the strategic plan front and centre?

The Board of Directors has passed the non-profit's Strategic Plan, Goals and Objectives. The Management Team understands what direction...

So, specifically in the context of non-profits, what do we mean when we make a “strategic decision?” We mean making decisions that align with the strategy (or direction) that we set overall: how we choose to operate, how we use our resources (people, time, money, or knowledge), what objectives we set for our teams (specific success metrics), and the actions or activities we focus on. What types of strategic decisions does your board make regularly?

When choosing KPIs and performance metrics for your non-profit strategic plan, start by asking your management team what they already track. Use existing data wherever possible, then add a few simple, measurable indicators that help your Board and Executive Director track progress, measure results, and strengthen accountability.

A good non-profit strategic plan needs goals people can actually understand and use. By getting clear on what’s behind each goal, Boards can turn big ideas into SMART goals, measurable objectives and KPIs that support accountability, guide implementation, and keep the plan moving forward—even when leadership changes.

A strong non-profit strategic plan does more than set direction—it defines where you’re going and how you’ll know you’re getting there. Clear strategic goals and measurable objectives help the Board, Executive Director and management team turn vision and mission into action, accountability and results. If your goals don’t clearly define where you’re going, how will anyone know when you’ve arrived?

What if non-profit strategic planning focused less on what’s wrong and more on what’s possible? SOAR strategic planning uses Appreciative Inquiry to explore Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations and Results, helping Boards and teams build on what already works. It’s a strengths-based alternative to SWOT that encourages engagement, creativity and action. What could your non-profit achieve if you started with possibility instead of problems?

When was the last time your non-profit reviewed its strategic plan? Regular strategic plan reviews, annual action planning and progress tracking help Boards, Executive Directors and teams understand what’s working, what needs attention and where priorities need to shift. Building these reviews into your organizational calendar keeps strategy active and accountability visible. If reviewing your strategic goals isn’t on the calendar, how will you know whether you’re actually ma

A non-profit strategic plan only creates value when it leads to action. Clear accountability, KPIs, action plans and progress tracking help Boards, Executive Directors and teams measure strategic goals, make better decisions and understand whether their efforts are creating results. Regular strategic plan reviews also help organizations adjust when priorities change. Can your non-profit clearly show the progress your strategic plan is creating—or are you simply assuming it’s