Cargal USA, LLC

A critical review of past performance by the executives and management of an organization and the preparation of a plan beyond ordinary budgetary processes require focus, commitment and executive sponsorship. Some essential points which should to be observed during the review and strategic planning process include the following:

• Should relate to the medium term i.e. 2/4 years

•  Should be undertaken by executives and management

•  Should focus on matters of strategic importance 

• Should be separated from day-to-day work 

• Should be realistic, detached and critical 

• Should distinguish between cause and effect 

• Should be reviewed periodically 

• Should be documented 

As the prerequisite to developing your strategic plan, it is desirable to clearly identify the current status, objectives and strategies of your organization. Correctly defined, these can be used as the basis for a critical examination to analyze existing or perceived Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT Analysis). This then leads to strategy development covering the following issues discussed in more detail below:

• Vision 

• Mission 

• Objectives 

• Strategies 

• Goals 

• Timeline