Stages of strategic planning

The process of economic planning is divided into the following stages: the development of a strategy and the definition of tactics for its implementation. In the first case, the set of objectives of the enterprise is determined, as well as the main ways to achieve them. Tactics involves finding the best option for implementing the chosen methods.

The word "strategy" is of Greek origin. Its original meaning is "the art of the general" to find the right ways to achieve victory.

Today, in the conditions of the market, strategic planning is the development and definition of the general direction of the enterprise. It should be noted that this is serious enough and responsible work. Simply formulating the desired goals and identifying the most convenient options for their implementation is not yet a strategy. For its implementation, it is first of all necessary to start from the actual possibilities for the development of the enterprise. Strategic planning is the reaction of the firm to objective internal and external circumstances in its activities. As a rule, the development of a set of objectives and the definition of ways to implement them is carried out for an extended period. But in many companies preference is given to medium-term projects.

The process of developing goals and ways to achieve them is a rather complicated sequence of operations. The main stages of strategic planning envisage that each new event must occur immediately after the previous one. The whole process requires special management skills and flexibility. People who participate in the development, not just go through all the stages of strategic planning, performing the prescribed functions. They must be able to change the nature of the action, to approach creatively the solutions to problems, if this is required by circumstances.

The development of goals and the definition of ways to achieve them is carried out by employees of marketing and management.

Regardless of the size of the enterprise, what is its scope, the stages of strategic planning are a certain basis. For each company, each stage acquires its own specifics. However, the application of the "cross-cutting" project is equally useful for everyone.

Stages of strategic planning

1. Defining the objectives of the enterprise. The firm's objectives are related to a long-term orientation toward a particular type of activity, as well as to a corresponding niche in the market.
2. Formation of business units. They are responsible for the assortment group, or for a specific commodity department within the organization, with concentration in a certain market and the manager. The latter at the same time has absolute responsibility for integrating all functions into the strategy.
3. Formulating marketing goals. Each formed business unit in an enterprise must establish its own marketing tasks . As a rule, they are determined in both quantitative and qualitative terms.
4. Conducting situational analysis. At this stage, the marketing capabilities of the enterprise and the perceived problems that it may face are determined.
5. The implementation of tactics involves the implementation of specific actions for the implementation of the established project.
6. Tracking the results involves comparing the planned indicators with those achieved. The comparison is carried out for a specific period of time. For this, time schedules, budgets, cost analysis, sales data are applied.

All stages of strategic planning together allow to clarify the emerging problems, prepare the company for unexpected changes in the environment, and improve coordination of activities in the enterprise.