Recalibrating Strategy in Changing Times

A strategic plan is more than a document; strategic planning should be continuous. It demands a quick and realistic approach. For many leaders, the last few years have revealed just how quickly internal and external conditions can shift. Whether due to new federal legislation, changing state accountability frameworks, or evolving local community needs, the strategic compass must continually be recalibrated.

When done well, strategic planning becomes a powerful framework for aligning purpose with programming and practice. However, how do leaders assess whether their current programming and practice are still aligning with purpose, and what happens when infrastructure and capacity are both under strain?

Policy changes at the federal level, such as shifts in funding and/or requirements to access resources, can significantly alter organizational priorities. At the state level, new regulations or accountability systems may affect how outcomes are reported, or which programs are emphasized. Local conditions, including political leadership or demographic shifts, can also drive new community expectations. Strategic plans that fail to account for these changes quickly lose relevance.

To stay responsive, organizations need to scan the environment regularly. This could mean setting aside time each quarter to track national, state and local legislative updates, funding challenges or opportunities, or other developments. Regularly integrating that insight into the planning process allows teams to pivot before disruptions turn into crises.

A quarterly review of relevant policy updates, budget forecasts, or demographic trends can help organizations stay agile in a volatile environment.

Although there are traditional steps in creating a strategic plan that includes defining vision, mission, and values, conducting a SWOT analysis, setting strategic goals and objectives, developing action plans and implementing the plan, most organizations fail to execute the most important components which is to monitor and evaluate progress on a regular basis.

If organizations are to remain relevant during these rapidly changing times, they must reimagine strategic planning as an adaptive leadership-oriented approach to meeting constituent needs. We refer to this reflective framework as the 5 R’s of Recalibrating Strategy.

The 5 R’s of Recalibrating Strategy: A Reflective Framework

This reflective framework positions us to be able to recalibrate our strategies during times of drastic change or uncertainty.

1. Reason: Why do we exist? What values drive us? Leaders must regularly revisit the organization’s foundational reason for being. Has the mission expanded or narrowed in response to recent changes? Is it still relevant to stakeholders?

2. Route: How do we get there? This is the roadmap, the strategies, objectives, and benchmarks that bring the mission to life. But the route must be flexible enough to accommodate detours driven by shifts in funding, legislation, or public need.

3. Results: What does success look like? Setting metrics is essential but so is revisiting them. Leaders should ask: Are we measuring what matters now, or what mattered a year ago?

4. Responsiveness: How do we allocate people and resources? Managing implementation requires more than coordination; it demands responsiveness. Leaders must notice where bottlenecks or overextensions occur and adapt accordingly.

5. Review: Are we making progress? A continuous cycle of review allows organizations to detect drift or misalignment early. This includes formal tools like dashboards and informal pulse checks with staff and stakeholders.

   
   

Strategy as a Practice, not a Product

Ultimately, strategic planning is not about controlling the future; it’s about staying oriented in motion. In times of uncertainty, strong leadership doesn’t come from having all the answers. It’s having the courage to ask the right questions, listen deeply, and remain grounded in purpose while adapting in real time.

By treating strategy as an ongoing practice built on reason, route, results, responsiveness, and review, leaders can guide their organizations with clarity, flexibility, and renewed commitment, even in uncertain times.

Here are 5 thoughtful questions leaders can use to assess whether their current strategic plan aligns with stakeholder needs:

1. How well does our current plan reflect the priorities and concerns of those we serve (e.g., students, clients, community members)? Consider whether stakeholder feedback has directly influenced the goals and strategies outlined in your plan.

2. Have we engaged stakeholders recently to understand how their needs or expectations may have changed? If not, your plan may be based on outdated assumptions.

3. Which parts of our strategy have seen strong engagement or support from stakeholders, and which have not? This may reveal areas of alignment or disconnection.

4. Are we measuring outcomes that stakeholders value and understand, or are we focused on internal benchmarks? Evaluate whether your success metrics are meaningful from a stakeholder perspective.

5. Have we built in feedback loops to hear from stakeholders throughout implementation, not just at the beginning? Ongoing input can ensure continued alignment as conditions change.

   
   

Here is a curated list of free and reputable resources for conducting SWOT and survey tools:

SWOT Analysis Resources

1. MindTools – SWOT Analysis: How to Develop a Strategy for Success A practical guide to conducting a SWOT analysis, including examples and worksheets. 🔗 https://www.mindtools.com/a4wo118/swot-analysis

2. Smartsheet – Free SWOT Analysis Templates Downloadable templates for Excel, Word, and Google Docs/Sheets. 🔗 https://www.smartsheet.com/free-swot-analysis-templates

Survey Tools for Strategic Feedback

3. Google Forms – Strategic Feedback Surveys Free and customizable; great for pulse checks with staff, board, or stakeholders. 🔗 https://docs.google.com/forms

4. SurveyMonkey – Organizational Assessment Surveys Pre-built templates for employee engagement, leadership effectiveness, and organizational health. 🔗 https://www.surveymonkey.com/mp/organizational-effectiveness-survey/

5. Qualtrics – Strategy & Planning Surveys Enterprise-level tool with templates to assess strategic alignment and culture. 🔗 https://www.qualtrics.com/experience-management/research/strategic-planning/