Checklist: Strategic Planning - Getting Started for Editors

Before You Begin...

Learn the Process

• Go through the ClearGov Academy journey: Getting Started with Strategic Planning
  Note: Use your ClearGov login to access ClearGov Academy.
• Register for live sessions through our Getting Started Group Training Workshops:
  • Strategic Planning - Plan the Work. Work the Plan.

Gather Relevant Materials

• Collect all relevant materials in preparation, including strategic plans from prior years and the names, email addresses, and departments of any contributors.
• Send your financial data to ClearGov to upload into our system. Reach out to your ClearGov Point of Contact with any questions.

5 Steps to Create a Strategic Plan

Step 1: Create your Strategic Plan 

A Strategic Plan is made up of Plan Items which contain 3 levels, Focus Areas, Goals and Action Items. You will create a Strategic Plan and can manually add or import plan items into the Plan. You can then Allocate Funds from the Operational Budget (if subscribed) or imported Financial Data. 

Resources:

• Create a Strategic Plan
• Create a New Focus Area
• Add a Goal to a Focus Area
• Add Action Items to Goals
• Import Plan Items
• Make Budget Allocations by Assigning Plan Items

Step 2: Add Collaborators

Many hands make light work. Invite editors and contributors to work along side you in your Strategic Planning efforts. Assign specific Plan Items to collaborators to own and update their progress.

Resources:

• Add Editors
• Add Contributors
• Assign Plan Items

Step 3: Work the Plan

Now that the framework has been established, it’s time to work the plan and start seeing the goals being accomplished. Status and Progress Updates drive the graphics and progress calculations throughout Strategic Planning. Add tasks to Action Items to keep track of to-dos and automatically update the progress. 

Resources:

• Add Status & Progress Updates
• Add Tasks
• Checklist: Strategic Planning - Manage Plan Item Assignments for Contributors
  Pro-Tip: Send this checklist to your Contributors to assist them in their efforts. 

Step 4: Review your Plan's Progress 

As Contributors submit these updates, the graphics will update on the Dashboard, as well as in the Document. The Dashboard Tab shows visualizations of the percentage progress and current status of your strategic plan. 

• Navigate the Dashboard
• Navigate the Status Summary Tab

Step 5: Publish your Strategic Plan 

Create and publish a Planning Document to share your plans and keep your constituents up-to-date on progress. 

Resources: 

• Create and Navigate a Planning Document
• Manage Content in Your Planning Document
• Collaborate on Your Planning Document
• Publish and Publicize Your Planning Document

Need Additional Resources? 

Feel free to search our Support Center or review resources on this specific module: Planning (Strategic Planning & Custom Plans)