[Ailist] Help

[Susanne]

Hello AI fellows,

 

I have been following the ailistserv for quiet a while and find it very
interesting and helpful. Today I want to ask for some guidance/experience on
a suggestion that I am making to a board of a non-profit of which I am a
member.

 

I am suggesting to the ED to use an Appreciative Inquiry approach to the
strategic plan. She has outlined a process as per below.

 

*	Preparing the plan:

*	Form strategic planning committee, clarify why a strategic plan,
interview consultants to support plan development, determine resources and
timeline, design outline of process and guiding principles

*	Assessment:

*	Internal and external assessment with SWOT analysis, review
demographics and economic indicators

*	Set direction:

*	Refine mission, vision and values, develop goals and strategies

*	Gather input:

*	Gather input from stakeholders (focus groups, surveys, 1-1
interviews)

*	Adopt plan:

*	Write and refine plan, establish activities, timeslines, monitoring
methods and budget, board reviews, implement and refine as necessary.

 

She wants to have the staff meet to discuss the development of the plan,
then the committee to guide the process. A subgroup of the board, staff and
survivors would then meet for maybe a day meeting to set direction and
decide on activities. Other board members and consultants have told her that
the process would take up to 6-9 months.

 

One of the challenges is to get everyone (staff, survivors, board, donors
and outside stakeholders) together at the same time for a long amount of
time.

 

My questions:

 

1.	Has anybody worked with different groups (staff, strategic planning
committee, board etc) while using an AI process to develop a strategic plan
and what experiences did you make.
2.	Can an AI approach be used if she wants to have these different
groups? 
3.	If we would consider to do a full AI process, how much time would
you suggest to plan (let's assume there are 50-60 people (representatives
from all stakeholders) involved)? 
4.	Has anyone done an AI process for strategic planning with a
non-profit (about $3million in size) and would like to share with me how it
went and experiences?

 

Thanks so much to this wonderful group,

 

 

Susanne Baessler

Baessler Consulting

      Relations for Results

 <http://www.baesslerconsulting.com/> www.baesslerconsulting.com

206 579 3705