Strategic Planning in Social Service Organizations : A Practical Guide

Social service organisations are under increasing pressure to strengthen the level of professional management.

Reduced government funding, increasing numbers of service providers, and growing societal demand for responsible, accountable, and effective social services are causing these organisations to seek ways to enhance organisational effectiveness and service delivery.

In particular, there is a need to strengthen management planning skills and knowledge, and use of appropriate planning tools to succeed in an increasingly competitive and under-funded market.

While many professional management practices and techniques have been developed for and implemented in the corporate sector, few of these have been adequately adapted to the specific circumstances of the social service sector.

This textbook introduces and demonstrates a systematic approach for undertaking effective strategic planning in this sector.

The material is supplemented by practical, field-tested frameworks and worksheets for improving an organisations strategic and long-term focus, and enhancing the rigor of its decision-making. The purposes of this book are to help social work/human service students and professionals: understand the relevance and benefits of strategic planning within the non-profit sector; understand the strategic planning process, expected outcomes and what is involved in undertaking a strategic planning initiative; provide a practical guide for undertaking a strategic planning process as "informed implementers and consumers"; demonstrate, by a consistent and practical example relevant to the social services sector, the application of the tools and methodologies discussed in the book. This book is distinguished from others on the same topic by its focus on a market-based approach to strategic planning.

A market-based approach encourages an organisation to examine the current and evolving needs of key stakeholders and develop segmentation based on these needs.

From an understanding of the environment and the organisations capabilities and desired strategic direction, the organisation is able to identify which segments it can best serve given its limited resources. The organisations effectiveness and impact is greatly enhanced by aligning the organisations processes, practices, and delivery mechanisms to priority segments.