Q & A about NCEA's Strategic Planning Services

1. What is strategic planning? Is it the same thing as long-range planning?
   
   Long range planning develops a plan for accomplishing a goal or set of goals over a period of several years, with the assumption that current knowledge about future conditions is sufficiently valid to ensure the plan’s reliability over the duration of its implementation.
   
   Strategic Planning is a process of preparation that assumes the future is dynamic and changeable, and stresses the importance of making decisions that will ensure the organization’s ability to anticipate and respond successfully to changes in the environment.
   
   "Strategic planning is the process of determining what an organization intends to be in the future and how it will get there. It can best be described as developing a vision for the future of your organization." Strategic Planning Workbook for Non Profit Organizations, Amherst H. Wilder Foundation
   
   
2. What makes NCEA Planning Services unique?
   • Passionate commitment to the mission and ministry of Catholic education
   • Customized approach so that planning models reflect consultation with diocesan leaders/clients
   • Interdepartmental effort which utilizes the expertise, experience and strengths of team members and the breadth of services of the National Catholic Educational Association
   • Special rates for NCEA members make this service competitive and affordable
   • Guidance, support and direction for those involved at both the local school/parish and diocesan levels
   • Planning models and processes that rely on broad involvement of those most likely to be impacted via surveys, interviews, retreat, town meetings, group process
     
     
3. What does NCEA charge for strategic planning services?
   
   Once we know what you want to accomplish, a proposal will be presented and include projected expenses. Charges typically include a per diem fee for NCEA staff on site and preparation days plus travel and related expenses (printing, data-entry, etc.)
   
   
4. Do you have a client list?
   
   Yes, we will be happy to provide that.

5. What types of planning services does NCEA provide? Are there any projects NCEA would not consider?
   
   The scope of NCEA consultant services for strategic planning includes:
   
   Diocesan level planning projects, especially for dioceses whose staff and/or resources may be limited.
   Regional projects within a diocese (e.g., reorganization studies)
   Implementation audits (jump-starting strategic plans that may have been sidetracked or delayed) as well as diocesan office audits and planning processes (do you have the structures, staff and/or mechanisms in place to implement your plan?)
   
   Projects we would not undertake:
   
   We do not take on strategic planning for an individual school or parish, or any project that would not have the authorization of the bishop or arch/diocesan office.

6. What role does the NCEA consultant play during the planning process?
   
   Here are the responsibilities we assume:
   • Design the planning study/models/process
   • Provide guidance, direction and support to local, regional or diocesan leaders throughout the process
   • Conduct staff development/training sessions to teach parish/school teams how to undertake a local level planning process
   • Design of survey instruments
   • Orchestrate data collection and assist with the analysis of data
   • Monitor and support progress
   • Assist in the preparation and presentation of reports
   • Provide access to NCEA’s network and resources
     
     
7. What are the benefits or advantages of strategic planning? Are there any disadvantages or risks to the diocese that is considering a planning process?

a) Benefits:

• Reaffirms/solidifies the arch/diocese’s continued commitment to its mission and ministries
• Brings the vision into focus and lays out the path to achieving the vision
• Brings critical issues to the table
• Sends message of confidence and hope in the future
• Involves many stakeholders and increases sense of "ownership"
• Brings greater comfort with inevitable change
• Inspires action and support
• Provides an orderly plan for addressing ever-changing needs

b) Disadvantages/risks:

Strategic Planning is not always a smooth process!

"Its power lies in its capacity to create dissonance in people, upset traditional views, identify new possibilities, and pose new questions." F.G. Lunenburg and V.E. Ornstein

 

 

 

Strategic Planning studies should not be undertaken when:

• "Life-threatening" problems should be addressed first
• Implementation is unlikely
• The answer is already obvious and/or decisions have already been made
• There is a lack of commitment to a planning process

8. How long does a typical planning process/project take?
   
   That depends on the scope of work. Projects range from short term (six-nine months) to one-year or multi-year.
   
   
9. You talked about the importance of identifying "non-negotiables" in one of the presentations I attended. What did you mean?
   
   Non-negotiables are any realities that are not up for discussion or revision, including diocesan policies and/or standards, parish circumstances, Catholic identity, Church teachings, donor expectations. We try to identify those right at the start. Example:
   
   • Some dioceses specify that all parish elementary schools will be required to participate in the planning process but it will not be mandatory for private and secondary schools.
     
     
10. If change is a part of life and necessary, why do people and organizations so often resist change?
    
    There are dozens of theories about why folks resist change (fear, lack of involvement in process, inertia, etc.) but a good planning process addresses that challenge at the outset.
    
11. What will Tim ask me when I call for an initial consultation about Strategic Planning for the arch/diocese? How should I prepare for that phone call?
    • What is the scope (diocesan-level, regional and/or local school planning) of your project?
    • Timeline: at what point would you want to have this planning process/project completed?
    • Is there commitment to a strategic planning process across the board: bishop/diocese, Catholic Schools Office staff, pastors, principals?
    • What data are already on hand?
    • Are some schools or parishes in this diocese in a crisis?
    • When was the last time the diocese conducted a planning process with/for the schools?
    • Do you have school advisory boards in place at each school?
    • What is the current picture with respect to enrollment overall?
    • Is the diocese itself currently engaged in a planning process?
    • How would you describe the desired outcomes for the planning process?

If interested in NCEA’s strategic planning services, contact cace@ncea.org for more information.