How can you determine the appropriate level of detail in a strategic plan?

2 Use SMART criteria

The second step to finding the right level of detail in a strategic plan is to use SMART criteria to define your goals and objectives. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These criteria can help you avoid ambiguity and uncertainty in your plan and ensure that you have clear and realistic expectations for your outcomes. For example, instead of saying "Improve customer satisfaction", you could say "Increase the average rating of customer feedback surveys by 10% by the end of the year".

3 Balance breadth and depth

The third step to finding the right level of detail in a strategic plan is to balance breadth and depth in your strategies and actions. Breadth refers to the scope and variety of your strategies and actions, while depth refers to the level of detail and explanation you provide for each one. You should aim for a balance that covers all the relevant aspects of your program or organization, but also provides enough detail to guide your implementation and evaluation. For example, instead of listing all the possible activities you could do, you could focus on the key ones that are most likely to contribute to your goals and objectives, and explain how and why they will work.

4 Use visual aids

The fourth step to finding the right level of detail in a strategic plan is to use visual aids to complement and enhance your text. Visual aids can include tables, charts, graphs, diagrams, maps, or icons that can help you organize, summarize, or illustrate your information. Visual aids can help you make your strategic plan more appealing, accessible, and understandable for your audience. For example, you could use a logic model to show the linkages between your inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impacts, or a Gantt chart to show the timeline and milestones of your actions.

5 Seek feedback

The fifth step to finding the right level of detail in a strategic plan is to seek feedback from your stakeholders and experts. Feedback can help you validate, improve, or refine your strategic plan and ensure that it meets the needs and expectations of your audience. You can seek feedback through various methods, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, workshops, or peer reviews. You should ask for feedback on the clarity, relevance, feasibility, and completeness of your strategic plan, and incorporate the suggestions and recommendations that are most useful and appropriate.

6 Review and revise

The final step to finding the right level of detail in a strategic plan is to review and revise your plan periodically. A strategic plan is not a static document, but a dynamic and flexible one that should adapt to the changing context and conditions of your program or organization. You should review and revise your plan at least once a year, or more frequently if needed, to reflect your achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and new opportunities. You should also update your level of detail as you progress from planning to implementation to evaluation, and as you learn more about your program or organization and your audience.