Well-implemented strategic planning provides the vision, direction and goals for the organization, but operational planning translates that strategy into the everyday execution tactics of the business that will ultimately produce the outcomes defined by the strategy. Operational planning is the conversion of strategic goals into execution. Businesses tend to waste time and money by investing way too much in what the plan is. More important, the execution of the strategy that is laid out.
No business likes to admit it, but most are lacking in the know-how, competencies skills, knowledge, experience and discipline to carry off precise execution of strategic goals. Operational planning is all about having good execution and offers help to those organizations who struggle with why and how to do it.
Executing a strategy for a business plan can be an extremely layered process. It is all about pushing each step to it fullest potential. This in turn will build on the next step and help the transition towards getting the job done right. They range from ugly Excel spreadsheets to beautifully bound books, and if executed correctly, a happy client.
Unless operational planning has accompanied the strategic planning effort, the strategic plan will always accomplish less than the intended result, resulting in wasted effort.
Most companies would receive a failing grade for their operational planning efforts. This is largely due to a lack of understanding of how such planning should be done. True, it is sometimes perceived to be the less appealing part of planning, but it is essential that operational planning be done and organizations must learn how to do it properly. Many companies have the attitude of, “Don’t we have people to do that?”. Far too often, they don’t, yet they still expect this operation to be handled by someone. This is once again, wasted effort.
Operational planning must be done if strategic goals are to be accomplished. The strategic goals of the organization must be translated one business unit at a time. Why? The goals mean something different to each area of the organization. All plans are based upon that area’s function in the enterprise.
It is not enough to simply put the strategic goals out there and let the business interpret the strategy on its own. To do so is not planning, but instead is crossing fingers and hoping for the best. Before executing the strategy you have set in place, I suggest that you ensure that you are able to carry your plan out to the very end with no holes in your business plan.
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