16 steps to the next level

In our work with and in organizations, we see it up close: Plans are made but are not implemented or are poorly implemented. The promise of the vision of great future success is not reached. It's business as usual. The organization does not change. Strategic planning gets a bad name.

We have been asked to lead a "deep dive" workshop, Beyond the Basics: How to assure your planning will take your organization to the next level, at the Association for Strategic Planning's 2015 Annual Conference. To jump-start our thinking, we have cataloged 16 causes of planning failure and suggested remedies. Here's our "watch out for it and what to do about it" list, designed to help leaders involved in strategic plan implementation assure that their efforts take the organization to the next level.