Overview
Strategic Planning Framework
The framework used by MTSBA for its strategic planning process was adapted from a model developed by Tecker and Associates, which was in turn adapted from work of Jim Collins, author of “Built to Last” and “Good to Great.” The Board focused on four different planning horizons, starting with the long term issues first to provide focus to shorter term efforts.
The Montana School Boards Association (MTSBA) has created a new direction for the organization to strategically focus its resources on identified wants, preferences, and needs of its members and other stakeholder groups. As part of this process, MTSBA has begun a strategic planning and thinking process that will lead to a stronger and more vital organization. This process has been in progress for the last two years, and will be ongoing as MTSBA moves into the future. This strategic plan is intended to help MTSBA in focusing its resources in a manner that will best benefit its members and their constituents.
The Timeline
In early 2004, MTSBA contracted for a full performance and financial review by the National School Boards Association. The review included personal interviews with over 90 individuals, including representatives of the MTSBA board of directors; MTSBA school board members and superintendents; MTSBA employees; Montana House of Representatives and Senate members; Montana Governor’s office; Office of Public Instruction; members of other education organizations in Montana; representatives from business in Montana; media; and contracted service representatives. NSBA provided MTSBA with a final report of recommendations in March of 2004. The Report remains a valuable resource from which MTSBA can derive information regarding its members’ views of the various programs and services of MTSBA.
In June and August 2004, MTSBA began the strategic planning and thinking process necessary to amend its strategic plan to better fit with its commitment to knowledge-based decision making processes. Armed with the NSBA Review Report as well as survey responses of its members on key issues facing the Association, the Board and Staff discussed at length how it could best meet the present and future needs of MTSBA members.
The information generated from the Board’s and Staff’s discussion was used to inform the discussion of key issues facing the Association between August 2004 and June 2005 when the Board and Staff convened for the purpose of adopting a new strategic plan. As part of its preparation for strategic planning, MTSBA brought in Glenn Tecker of Tecker and Associates in March 2005 for a full day of training directed at helping the Board and Staff prepare for its June 2005 strategic planning session.
Between March 2005 and June 2005, a selected group of MTSBA Directors and Staff (including Mike Dimich, Joan Schmidt, Kurt Dyer, Carmen McSpadden, Jack Babon, Teresa Stroebe and Darrell Sackman) worked to prepare preliminary drafts of the key aspects of MTSBA’s strategic plan. Those preliminary drafts were considered and modified on June 16-17, 2005 by the Board and Staff. During this time, MTSBA Director Joan Schmidt and General Counsel Debra Silk also conducted a board and staff survey seeking direction on areas of focus for the coming two years. The Board and Staff preliminarily approved two-year goals and strategic objectives derived from the focus on longer term issues in the strategic plan, paired with the board and staff survey responses.
Between the June 2005 and August 2005 meetings, MTSBA Directors and Staff worked on incorporating the suggested changes to the strategic plan made by Directors and Staff during the June 2005 meeting. On August 26 2005, MTSBA formally adopted its new strategic plan, including 2 year goals and strategic objectives designed to move MTSBA toward its envisioned future. MTSBA has since revisited, updated and improved the strategic plan on an annual basis, with consideration of strategic issues on the agenda of every meeting. The latest revisions were adopted by the Board at its March 2007 Meeting.
MTSBA’s leadership views the process of strategic planning as an ongoing process within MTSBA. This is not a "strategic planning project" that is completed. Adoption of a plan is an affirmation of the general intent and direction articulated by the vision, goals and strategic objectives. It is understood that progress toward achieving plan strategic objectives will be assessed continually, with continual updates based on achievement and changes in the needs of our members.