What are the steps in the WACC strategic planning process?

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By the end of 2011, WACC hopes to have in place a plan that will guide the work of WACC towards some key goals. How will it get there? In order for strategic planning to be successful, the process is as important as the outcome.

There are four essential steps in arriving at a strategic plan.

I. Framing the process: What are the questions and issues to be discussed? By whom?

February – March 2011

A strategic planning process doesn’t deal with every question and dilemma an organization faces. One of the first steps is to identify the most important questions for WACC to discuss given where it has come from, where it is now, and where it needs to go in the future.

In 2010, WACC commissioned an evaluation of several of its programmes which surfaced some key issues about its identity, mandate and future. Out of these documents and other discussions, a paper will be drafted that lays out a number of questions and issues. This will become a central reference point for consultations with WACC stakeholders.

What’s a “stakeholder”?, you might ask. Basically, those people and organizations that can affect or are affected by the work of WACC. Some of the most important stakeholders include WACC members, Regional Associations, partners and people on the front lines of communication rights. WACC will draw up a list of people and groups who can meaningfully contribute to the discussion of WACC’s future and then create mechanisms for how to best facilitate their input.

II. Consultation and Information Gathering

March – September 2011

In the second phase of the process, WACC will gather feedback from the stakeholders identified in phase I. All WACC Regional Associations will have an opportunity to give input at their 2011 Regional Assemblies. An April Round Table in Finland will allow WACC Officers, funding partners, implementing partners, and staff to identify key communication challenges. An internet survey will be sent out to every member as a means of allowing a wide range of input from around the world. Implementing partners will have an opportunity to give their input at several partner consultations taking place in 2011. These are just some of the means to gather input. In short, all stakeholders will have an opportunity to shape the future of WACC!

The world changes quickly and the world of communication rights is no exception. Part of the information gathering process also involves creating a picture of the trends and context which affect the mandate of WACC. Sometimes called an “environmental scan” (meaning the political, social, economic and cultural issues that WACC needs to be aware of), this picture will inform WACC decisions regarding priorities to include in its strategic plan.

III. Analyzing the input and drafting a strategic plan

September 2011

After all stakeholder consultations have taken place, WACC will review all the input and identify key insights, areas of consensus, and areas of divergence. This will be compiled into a stakeholders’ report, a summary of which will be made available to all who provided input.

Based on the environmental scan and the stakeholder input, WACC will draft the strategic plan. The strategic plan document will identify directions and priorities related to the key issues and questions identified earlier in the process.

IV. Board review and approval of strategic plan

October 2011

The most important task in the strategic planning process goes to the board in Phase IV! The board will review the draft strategic plan, make revisions as deemed necessary, and approve the final strategic plan. Different directions may emerge from the consultation process. In the end, strategic planning is about making decisions and sometimes these choices are difficult. The board will weigh the pros and cons of possible directions and decide upon a plan that will make WACC the most effective and successful it can be in achieving its mission and mandate.

Dale Hildebrand has worked in non-profit management for more than 20 years, mainly with faith-based organizations. He will be assisting WACC throughout the strategic planning process. You can reach Dale by email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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The World Association for Christian Communication is a UK Registered Charity (number 296073) and a Company registered in England and Wales (number 2082273) with its Registered Office at 71 Lambeth Walk, London SE11 6DX. It is an incorporated Charitable Organisation in Canada (number 83970 9524 RR0001) with its head office at 308 Main Street, Toronto ON, M4C 4X7.