Setting Our Course: SMPS Philadelphia Embarks on Strategic Planning
Posted by Website Director on Apr. 9, 2025 / Blog / Subscribe 0
Strategic planning is the compass that guides organizations to define their direction, allocate resources effectively, and ensure that all stakeholders are aligned toward common goals. By engaging in strategic planning, organizations can anticipate challenges, identify opportunities, and establish a clear roadmap for future success. Whether you are a large company or volunteer run professional organization, like SMPS Philadelphia, a strategic plan is your roadmap to success.
After identifying that SMPS Philadelphia did not have a formal strategic plan, we decided to make the development of one a goal for our 2024-2025 program year.
The Strategic Planning Journey: A Quick Look
The process typically involves several key steps:
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Environmental Scanning: Assessing internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats, to understand the organization's current position.
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Strategy Formulation: Developing long-term objectives and determining the best courses of action to achieve them.
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Strategy Implementation: Allocating resources and assigning responsibilities to execute the chosen strategies effectively.
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Evaluation and Control: Monitoring progress, evaluating outcomes, and making necessary adjustments to stay on course.
Starting in December and continuing through the spring, with guidance from former SMPS President Holly Bolton, FSMPS, CPSM, the Chapter has reflected on past accomplishments and identified future opportunities. Using the Assessment Survey to gather crucial insights, we’ve pinpointed key themes that will help set a bold framework for future goals.
Shaping the Future Together
A key goal in developing our strategic plan was to ensure it wasn’t created in a vacuum or limited to input from only the Board of Directors. Our members are the future of our organization, and for many, this may be the first opportunity to participate in shaping a strategic plan—a valuable skill that will serve you well in the future.
Engaging our stakeholders throughout this process is crucial. It fosters a sense of ownership and ensures we consider diverse perspectives. This collaborative approach will not only enhance the quality of our plan but also make it easier to implement.
To make the process as inclusive and transparent as possible, we invited all current members to our in-person Strategic Plan Workshop held on March 26, 2025. Member insights and participation are essential in guiding the chapter’s future.
Charting a Course to Success
Strategic planning is an essential practice for any organization looking to navigate complexity and achieve long-term success. By systematically analyzing their environment, setting clear objectives, and engaging stakeholders, organizations can create actionable plans that will drive meaningful progress. We are confident that the strategic plan we develop will help SMPS Philadelphia grow and thrive for years to come!
Laura Frein, CPSM
Director of Business Development - Eastern Pennsylvania
Michael Baker International
Laura Frein, CPSM is a marketing, communications, and strategic business development professional. With nearly 20 years in the A/E/C industry, Laura has held positions in a variety of roles at major Pennsylvania-based firms. She specializes in using engaging visuals to showcase data and help leadership make data-driven decisions. Laura also serves as the 2024-2025 SMPS Philadelphia Chapter President.
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