Strategic Planning in the Public Sector
Strategic Planning in the Public Sector
Strategic planning involves the adoption of fundamental decision and action that determine the actions of an institution. Strategic process thus involves determination of the organizations vision, reviewing of the external analysis, determination of the organizations internal potential and establishment of goals. Strategic planning is a valuable tool for the public sector. The private sector has been relying on different strategic planning approaches, to further the growth of institutions. Strategic planning refers to efforts that organizations engage in so as to determine the most efficient direction that the organization’s operations can take (Hintea, 2008).
In the changing economic development, it is vital that the public sector embraces aspects of strategic planning from the private sectors. For many years, the public sector has been viewed as an area characterized by rigidness and lack of desire to change. This thus means that the public institutions rely on conservative approaches of the operations. Adopting strategic planning in the public sectors involves giving the public institutions a sense of direction. Strategic planning helps the public institutions to determine effective mission. Vision and objectives of the organization. The vision and mission are established on the basis of the overall function and goals of the public company. Strategic planning thus gives the public institution a sense of direction. It enables the public institutions to determine ways of establishing the set mission and vision (Prowle, 2000).
Strategic planning also helps the public sector become more competitive. Strategic planning enables public institution to determine available opportunities that assist the company to grow and sustain itself. It is only through strategic planning that an organization can effectively determine existing opportunities and tap into them. The ability of the public institution to determine and tap into existing opportunities enhances growth and prosperity. The public sector has lacked competition or worked in limited competition due to lack of adopting a strategic approach to its operations (Hintea, 2008).
Strategic planning is vital for the establishment of distinct objectives within the public sector. In most cases, the public sector operates with vague and general objectives. These objectives do not clearly indicate the position and direction that the sector is taking. General policies in the public sector reduce the competitive advantage of the public sector. Strategic management is thus valuable for the public sector. It helps management in determine clear objectives that act as the driver of the public sectors and its operations.
Strategic planning also enables companies to draw reliable short and long term strategies for the public sectors. Without strategic planning, management in the public sector has a tendency to short term goals that are easy to achieve. This is attributed to the desire to see results fast. Strategic planning enables the public sector to set short and long term goals. Strategic planning within the public sector is also valuable as it will encourage accountability (Prowle, 2000). The need for accountability enables the public sector to engage in effective decision making process hence eliminate chances for risky decision making.
In conclusion, it is evident that the public sector must adopt strategic planning. Strategic planning enables the public sector to align its goals with its operations. This thus gives the company a competitive advantage as the public sector can determine existing opportunities within its market. The ability to construct short and long term goals in strategic planning enables the public sector have a clear structure on running its operations.
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