Your decision to do strategic planning should not depend on whether your de-
partment or organization has a strategic plan or on the size of your department or organization. While strategic planning is often a top-down process that originates with top leadership in an organization and cascades down to the department level, it does not need to happen that way. In the spirit of managing up, a clinical nutrition unit can take the lead in developing a process and strategic plan that serves as a model for the rest of the department and organization. Finally, make strategic planning an ongoing process similar to performance
improvement. Create a culture of strategic thinking where you and your staff con- tinually analyze the environment, evaluate progress, and revise tactics as needed to achieve your vision. Figure 8.7 illustrates this ongoing and cyclical nature of stra- tegic planning management.
FIGURE 8.7 Strategic planning cycle
Evaluate the Plan
Mission/ Vision/ Values
Implement the Plan
Revise Tactics
Environmental
Analysis: External/ Internal (SWOT Analysis)
Communicate the Plan
Develop Goals/
Define
Performance Measures
Abbreviation: SWOT = strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
Objectives/ Tactics
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EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT IN NUTRITION & DIETETICS