Strategic Planning: Setting Goals and Priorities for the Year Ahead

By Brent Collingwood

As the year draws to a close, businesses and teams often find themselves reflecting on past accomplishments and challenges. It’s the perfect time to pause, regroup, and plan for the year ahead. Strategic planning is not just about creating a to-do list; it’s a critical process that helps organizations clarify their vision, set achievable goals, and prioritize efforts for maximum impact. With a thoughtful approach to strategic planning, your team can start the new year focused and energized.

Here’s how to build an effective strategic planning process that sets your organization up for success.

The Foundation of Strategic Planning: Vision and Mission

Every successful plan starts with a clear understanding of your organization’s mission and vision. Your mission defines your purpose—why your organization exists—while your vision outlines where you want to go in the long term.

Before diving into specific goals, revisit these foundational statements with your team. Are they still relevant? Do they reflect your organization’s direction and aspirations? Aligning your strategic plan with your mission and vision ensures your team stays focused on what matters most.

Reflect on the Past Year

Before planning for the future, take stock of the past. Reflecting on the previous year helps identify what worked, what didn’t, and what lessons were learned. Consider these questions during your reflection process:

• What were our biggest achievements this year?
• What challenges or obstacles did we face?
• What feedback did we receive from employees, customers, or stakeholders?
• Which goals did we meet, and which fell short? Why?

This honest evaluation provides valuable insights that will shape your priorities for the coming year.

Set SMART Goals for the Year Ahead

Effective goals are more than aspirational statements—they should be clear, actionable, and measurable. The SMART framework ensures your goals are:

• Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve.
• Measurable: Include criteria to track progress and success.
• Achievable: Set realistic objectives given your resources and constraints.
• Relevant: Align goals with your organization’s mission and priorities.
• Time-bound: Specify deadlines to maintain focus and urgency.

For example, instead of setting a goal to “increase sales,” aim for something like, “Increase Q1 sales by 15% through improved lead conversion strategies.”

Identify Key Priorities

Not all goals are created equal, and trying to tackle too many at once can overwhelm your team. Use strategic prioritization to determine which objectives will have the greatest impact.

Consider these factors when setting priorities:

• Urgency: Which goals need immediate attention?
• Impact: Which objectives will deliver the most significant results?
• Resources: What time, budget, and personnel are required?
• Alignment: Which goals are most closely aligned with your mission and vision?

Creating a focused list of priorities ensures your team can channel their energy toward the initiatives that matter most.

Engage Your Team in the Planning Process

Strategic planning is most effective when it’s a collaborative effort. Involving team members from different departments or levels ensures diverse perspectives and fosters a sense of ownership.

During planning sessions, encourage open discussion about challenges, opportunities, and priorities. Tools like SWOT analysis (assessing Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) can help guide the conversation and provide a comprehensive view of your organization’s current state.

Develop an Action Plan

Goals and priorities are just the beginning—your strategic plan should also include a detailed action plan outlining how you’ll achieve them. Break down each goal into smaller, actionable steps and assign responsibilities to specific team members.

Your action plan should include:

Regularly revisit your action plan to track progress and make adjustments as needed.

Communicate and Align the Plan

A strategic plan is only effective if your entire team understands and supports it. Once your plan is finalized, communicate it clearly to all employees. Share the goals, priorities, and rationale behind them, and explain how each team member’s role contributes to the bigger picture.

Consider holding a kickoff meeting or creating a visual summary of the plan to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Monitor Progress and Stay Flexible

Strategic planning isn’t a one-time event—it’s an ongoing process. Schedule regular check-ins to review progress, celebrate milestones, and address any obstacles.

Stay flexible and open to adjustments as circumstances change. A successful plan is one that evolves with your organization’s needs and external environment.

Tools and Support for Strategic Planning

Need help developing or implementing your strategic plan? X5 Management’s team offers customized planning based on your organization’s needs, now and in the future. Our expert team can guide your organization through every step of the planning process, ensuring you’re equipped to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the year ahead.

Start the New Year Strong

Strategic planning is your roadmap to success. By reflecting on the past, setting clear goals, and prioritizing your efforts, your team will be well-prepared to achieve meaningful results in the coming year.

Conclusion

Strategic planning is more than just setting goals—it’s about creating a clear path forward that aligns your team’s efforts with your organization’s mission and vision. By reflecting on past successes and challenges, setting focused priorities, and developing actionable plans, you can position your organization for meaningful progress in the year ahead.

Remember, a well-thought-out plan not only guides decision-making but also motivates your team by providing clarity and direction. Whether you’re aiming to improve team collaboration, drive innovation, or achieve ambitious growth, a strong strategic plan is your foundation for success.

About the Author: Brent Collingwood, Executive Coach and Certified Facilitative Leader 

With over a decade of coaching, consulting, and facilitating, Brent Collingwood has earned a reputation as a go-to resource in helping clients reach into the realm of possibility. Whether coaching a senior executive or facilitating a strategic planning session, Brent acts as a thinking partner, helping the organization establish and ultimately achieve its planned goals.  

Brent holds a Master of Education in Leadership and Change, is a Certified Facilitative Leader, a Certified Executive Coach (CEC), and a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Brent’s leadership experience in business, post-secondary and the non-profit sector allows him to bring extensive knowledge and experience to the table.  

He is an active and proud Rotarian and has held many leadership positions in Rotary International including President of the Riverview Rotary Club; Chair of the Rotary District Foundation Committee; Chair of the District Learning & Development Committee; and Chair of the Rotary Leadership Institute. In 2023-24, Brent served as Governor of Rotary District 5370.