Any organization that wishes to expand, evolve and compete requires strategic planning. However, there are numerous cases when leadership teams fail to transform ideas into a recognizable strategy and, in the cases when a strategy is developed, its implementation fails. This is where the facilitation of strategic planning is effective indeed.

We work with teams of leaders in various parts of the world at Mx5 Consulting in Denver, Colorado to enable them to clear up the vision, set priorities, and turn strategy into action. However, what is so potent about facilitated strategic planning? Why is it more effective than attempting to manage the process within the company?

The solution is in form, objectivity and the possibility to convert discussions into decisions. The following is a closer examination of the efficacy of strategic planning facilitation – and why it produces quantifiable results to the leadership groups.

It Brings Structure to Complex Conversations

When the team attempts to do the strategic planning discussions in-house, they quickly lose focus. Ideas begin to accumulate, talks grow and priorities decline. A professional facilitator provides the framework by which the leadership teams should remain focused, streamlined and aligned.

In Mx5 Consulting, teams are guided by delivery systems that enable them to undertake every stage of planning — defining mission and vision to determining strategic priorities. This is a structured process which makes the conversations fruitful and each session achieves meaningful progress.

Form gives teams an opportunity to shun time wastages and prevent them from spending time on ideas and make swift transitions to clarity.

It Creates Alignment Across the Executive Team

An effective plan will only succeed when the leadership is in total agreement with the strategy. But misalignment belongs to the most widespread obstacles: executives might possess divergent priorities, vision perceptions, and assumptions regarding what are the most important.

Facilitation of strategic planning makes sure that all leaders are on the same track. A facilitator assists the teams in making it straight through guided discussion and clarifying:

• Long-term organizational goals

• Key priorities and focus areas

• Resource allocation decisions

• Roles, responsibilities, and ownership

This congruency does not only enhance the collaboration, but enhances decision-making, execution, and the direction all the leaders are headed.

It Encourages Open and Honest Dialogue

Open communication is another issue that leadership teams have problems with, particularly when aspect like disagreeable ones come up. Honest conversations may be avoided due to internal politics, personality differences or power dynamics.

This is solved through facilitation, which establishes an objective and non-threatening space in which all voices can be listened to without fear. The conversations are facilitated by a professional who will lead in a manner that:

• Reduces conflict

• Keeps debates constructive

• Ensures balanced participation

• Helps the team address issues rather than avoid them

Such openness plays a very key role in revealing blind spots, realizing opportunities and making informed decisions.

It Bridges the Gap Between Vision and Execution

A lot of teams are better at brainstorming big ideas – and failing to transform a big idea into a plan of action. It is in this case that facilitation comes in very handy.

In Mx5 Consulting, we assist leadership groups to translate the vision into well-defined actions, which can be achieved by:

• Identifying measurable goals

• Defining key initiatives

• Setting timelines and milestones

• Assigning ownership and accountability

Our process does not only guarantee that strategy is not only written down, but also it is implementable, monitorable and aligned to organizational capability. This is one of the greatest benefits of facilitated planning because of this bridge between vision and implementation.

It Provides an External, Objective Perspective

All leadership teams acquire habits, assumptions, and routines that influence the decision-making process. Although this may bring about efficiency, it may also bring about blind spots.

Facilitator is a new fresh objective thinking that provokes old thinking and stimulates new thoughts. This external perspective assists teams:

• See challenges they’ve overlooked

• Reevaluate long-standing practices

• Explore new strategies or markets

• Innovate with greater confidence

A single outside point of view can often lead to a breakthrough that an internal team cannot achieve.

It Strengthens Accountability and Sustains Momentum

No good strategic plan will succeed without implementation. Most organizations begin well but become derailed as soon as the planning exercises are complete.

Strategic planning facilitation is accountable through the development of systems that make the plan alive like:

• Quarterly progress reviews

• Milestone check-ins

• Clear reporting expectations

• Leadership responsibilities tied to outcomes

Such accountability frameworks enable the leadership teams to remain dedicated, gauge progress, and respond to changes in strategy where necessary.

This disciplined follow through means that strategic plans can become living documents upon which decisions can be made both on a daily basis and long term basis.

It Builds Organizational Agility and Resilience

Organizations need to adjust fast in a world that is fast changing. Facilitated strategic planning assists the leadership teams to think beyond the one-time, fixed plans and consequently develop dynamic strategies that transform with the business environment.

Facilitation assists teams in keeping ahead of change by promoting prioritization that is flexible, risk assessment, and scenario planning. This strength enables organizations to be more responsive and confident to market changes, customer requirements, and competition pressures.

Final Thoughts

The effectiveness of strategic planning facilitation is that it clarifies, structures and aligns the leadership teams in the way they require to develop meaningful strategy, and they have to accomplish. Facilitation turns the challenging internal task of planning into a potent growth accelerator, through enhancing accountability, to better communication.

At Mx5 Consulting we are experts in facilitating this process in a professional manner, with an insightful and customized style that brings tangible outcomes to the leadership teams.

Conducting strategic planning can enable your team to think bigger, work smarter and execute with confidence, whether your organization is based in Denver, Colorado or you are conducting business all around the rest of the world.