WRT333-0001: Scientific and Technical Writing
Strategic Plan
Given 10/22 | Due 11/12
For this assignment, you will be asked to write a strategic plan, an example of a formal reports. Formal reports are covered in the class notes. There are separate notes and an example of a strategic plan (notes | example (MSWord)).
The strategic plan is about things to be done in the future, although we acknowledge that we do not know in advance what the future will bring. Future uncertainty ("We can't really plan because there is so much we don't know about the future.") is no excuse for not planning, however. Forecasting (uncertain when it tries to predict the future) and planning (addressing foreseen major changes) are quite different and should not be confused. A strategic plan sets the stage for future action in the real world. As such, it is best viewed as a living document, part of a continuing process of planning, implementing, evaluating, and planning some more. That was the meaning of President Eisenhower's "Plans are nothing, planning is everything." In this context, future uncertainties are encompassed by allowing for future revisions of the plan. Creating a regular planning cycle (3-5 years) is an essential aspect of strategic planning, requiring a review and renewal of the plan from time to time.
Task: Having listened to the discussion of strategic planning in class, review the handouts. Your task is then to write a strategic plan of your own.
Strategic plan: You are asked to develop an entire strategic plan, from vision and mission statements through a list of milestones, from your own life. The plan should be personal, drawing from the real world, and applicable to you as an individual or as a member of a group.
- If you choose a plan for a group, you may want to discuss with group leaders the fact that you are doing this, and that it may benefit the group to join you in the exercise (although you will most likely complete the assignment before the group gets around to meeting). Alternatively, you can complete this exercise, writing a plan for the group alone. If you decide to then propose your plan for adoption by the group, our discussion of leadership styles for collaborative writing situations should be of use to you.
- If you choose a plan for yourself, your may want to use this exercise to reflect on long-term goals, and what you want to accomplish over the next 3-5 years. Your goals should be personal ("I'm going to be a better human being by..." or "I'm going to develop my ability to enjoy my leisure time by becoming / building a..." or "I'm going to become happy/effective/invaluable in the workplace by developing my capacities to...".). There is no limit to the nature of goals, each of which which may have many dimensions (social, psychological, economic, etc.).
The focus of the strategic plan is going to be on creating a vision of your future, a map to get there, an awareness of what you have going for you and against you, and a set of specific things you are going to do along the way. That is, it is less focused on solving a particular problem of today; rather, it focuses on deciding where you want to be, how you are going to get there, and what you expect to encounter along the way.
A subcomponent of this assignment will be to write a brief, informal report on your progress with this assignment, as follows:
By the time you write your progress report, you should have completed your first draft of vision and missions statements, background, and issues. Also, you should have written a brief outline of your first ideas for the environmental analysis (internal and external SWOT), with lists for each (e.g., 3 strengths, 2 weaknesses, etc.)
Write a single page progress report that makes note of 1) the potential value you see in completing this exercise, and 2) problems you are currently having in completing it.
The Progress Report is due October 31.
The complete Plan is due November 12.