Glossary of Strategic Planning Terms
Strategic planning guides and training often uses a range of special terms or “jargon” to refer to particular ideas or processes. These are no definitive meanings for many of these terms, and same term can have different meanings across different industries, professions, and communities. Jargon can be useful, often providing short cuts to complex ideas. However, the aim should be to stay within the realm of common usage, and most importantly, to be consistent across the organisation. Here are a few commonly used terms, simply explained.- Aims: What is intended to be achieved, stated in the broadest terms.
- Appropriateness: Consistency between stakeholder needs and expectations and your objectives.
- Effectiveness: How well the program meets its objectives.
- Efficiency: How well resources are used, often assessed by a comparison of inputs and outputs, e.g. cost per client.
- Evaluation: Deciding on the worth or merit of your activity and the process for measuring this.
- Goals/objectives: Actual results the organisation is committed to achieving. What you are trying to accomplish
- Mission Statement: An organisation's values and purpose expressed in a written form, usually in the broadest terms.
- Outcomes: The effects of the activities, products or services delivered.
- Performance indicator/measure: Measures the degree to which you have achieved your objective.
- Purpose: The reason the organisation or project exists.
- Qualitative data: Information on quality, atmosphere, and style - often perceived as subjective, e.g. quality of life.
- Quantitative data: Information that can be expressed in numbers and quantities - often perceived as objective, eg. average income.
- Reporting: What is done with the data and how it will be analysed and presented
- Strategic/Business Plan: A statement of what is intended to be achieved, including specific goals and outcomes, how and when they will be achieved and details of the evaluation process. It is, however, only a map of the planning process and can soon become out of date; it must be revisited and updated at chosen intervals.
- Strategy: The method and tactics to be used in achieving the goals.
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