Please assist with the discussion question based on a draft answer submitted

Base the discussion answer off the attachment that was turned in last week. It is a draft of my actual assignment that will be due.

Please respond in 4 paragraphs to the following discussion question. .

D0701 – Challenges to Formalizing, Adopting and Implementing the Strategic Plan

Step 1: Reflect on the array of factors that must be addressed to formalize and adopt your strategic plan, and to successfully implement it.

Step 2: Based on your own perception and experience, the views of your textbook authors, and results reported in the literature, what aspects appear the most challenging?

Step 3: What are your thoughts about how to best meet these challenges?

Previous assignment that was answered.

Deliverable #2 – Strategic Goal and Set of Smart Objectives

Establish a strategic goal and several SMART objectives for each key strategy formulated above1. The goal will, of course, pertain directly to the strategy. Each SMART objective will, by itself, or combined with other related objectives establish the basis for a specific initiative, project or program to achieve the objective(s). In turn, each initiative, project or program will have its own goal and specific objectives. [Refer to the Vision to Projects Schematic].

IMPORTANT POINT: My intent is to provide an understanding of the “cascading” nature of strategic planning. Innovative strategic thinking leads to big ideas and significant strategy opportunities for major improvement. However, these ideas and strategies need to be effectively implemented within the organization to realize their potential. This requires strategic planning – systematic, logical, organized, sequential activities that fit with the organization’s history, readiness, culture and capacity for change2.

1 You will find it helpful to review the YouTube video “How to Set SMART Goals” by Erica Olsen (located in the Module 6 Videos with the Course Materials).

2 Read the two articles on strategic thinking/strategic planning in Cluster 1 within the Course Material.

Deliverable #3 – Potential Initiatives, Projects and Programs

Identify plausible initiatives, projects and programs that emanate from and support the organizational strategies and related strategic goals and objectives.

Note: For our purposes, I am using the following definitions – An initiative is a large, often complex, “umbrella-type” undertaking that encompasses several projects. A project is a work effort to achieve a specific desired result that is time-limited, budgeted and resource constrained. A program is a continuous offering that provides on-going services or goods in support of the organization’s mission and vision.

Apply one or more methodologies such as the “Initiatives-Projects Prioritization Matrix” and the “Impact-Alignment Matrix” to rate, prioritize, select and sequence the projects and programs your group feels should implemented.