Implementing strategic plans

You have reached the stage where the proverbial rubber hits the hypothetical road. You are now in the phase of strategic planning when you begin to implement all the innovative ideas generated by your teams.

Your plan will more likely become a successful driver of positive change and play your role in achieving Penn State’s overall strategic direction with a practical implementation blueprint. OPAIR is providing this step-by-step guide to strategic plan implementation to aid in this effort. We hope you will find some helpful information in the following pages to help you work through your plan and achieve your desired results.

According to Miller (1997), there are three significant components to the successful implementation of a strategic plan: (1) completion of everything intended to be implemented within the expected time, (2) achievement of the performance intended, and (3) acceptability of the method of implementation and outcomes within the organization.

Considering Miller’s components, there is an overlap between her first pair of points. While we certainly encourage you to strive for the KPIs and metrics you have outlined in your plans, we also know that your plan is a living document, allowing you to be simultaneously realistic and aspirational. Circumstances change rapidly—as COVID  made abundantly clear during the last planning cycle—and we want you to consider necessary flexibility in your implementation efforts.

In addition to helping you chart your organization’s course over the next half-decade, the implementation process is an excellent learning opportunity. In your planning process, you identified Goals, Objectives, and Strategies to lead towards positive change. Implementation allows you to test, refine, and learn from these aims and gain a deeper understanding of how your whole team works. Successful implementation will build your organization’s sense of place in an interconnected Penn State, highlighting the importance of your work and accomplishments. Furthermore, it will offer potential partnerships across departments, colleges, campuses, and the Commonwealth.

Note: Miller, S. (1997). Implementing strategic decisions: Four key success factors. Organization Studies, 18(4), 577-602.