Turning Strategy into Action: A Practical Approach

My clients often come to me with something that sounds like this: “We've got this brilliant plan, but how do we actually bring it to life?" We have comprehensive strategic plans, a vision, and excitement about the future. We’ve engaged with our community, gotten their input, and feel like we’re on the right track. But we’re tight on resources, have limited capacity, and are challenged with bringing various parts of the organization together to execute. “How do we make our strategies work in the real world, not just on paper?”

Here’s the truth: Planning is the easy part. The tricky part is implementation. It takes patience – along with a willingness to break things down, simplify the process, and keep everyone in the loop. If we can do that, we're not just planning for success - we're actively building it, step by step. Let’s look at how:

Understand the Organizational Structure

It often feels like different parts of the organization are working in their own little worlds. Clients often say that we've got this overarching strategy for the whole nation, which is great. But how do we ensure that what each department is doing ties back to that strategy?

The first step is understanding the organization from the ground up. What are the different roles and functions? How is the workload divided? It's not about dumping the entire plan on someone's desk and saying, "Here, deal with this for the next five years." We've got to break it down, find the right people for specific tasks, and make sure everyone's efforts are aligned with the community's vision. There's some generality in terms of what needs to be done as an Indigenous government. Let’s think about who's going to be responsible for the governance aspect. Who’s going to be responsible for the lands and resources? Education? Infrastructure? Economic development? Once you divide the organizational structure, then everyone's job is really to work towards the vision of the community.

Clarify Roles and Expectations

Once we've got a handle on the organizational structure, now we need to make each department's role in the strategy crystal clear.

Which areas of the organization are responsible for which aspects of the larger plan? What committees are needed and how will they be structured? Who's responsible for what? By when do we need it done? And how will we measure success? What resources are needed? Do you need funding? Do you need technological support? Software? Devices? Capital equipment? What do you need to run your respective department in a good, meaningful way?

These questions help us create focused action plans for each part of the organization. This approach doesn't just clarify roles - it also builds a sense of ownership and accountability. Everyone knows exactly what they need to do and how their work contributes to the bigger picture. Plus, it opens up opportunities for collaboration, as departments start to see how their pieces fit together.

Keep everyone in the Loop

The challenge isn't just about getting things done - it's also about making sure everyone can see the progress. This can be frustrating. People are working hard, but if you can't show it in a way that's clear to everyone, especially the community you're serving, it can feel like you’re not making progress.

The solution is to set up systems to track and report on what we're doing – a dashboard that allows everyone to see the progress of how the strategy comes to life over time. Communication can connect the dots for everyone. When you know who’s responsible and how much they’re doing in a given period, it provides clarity. People begin to understand that this is why we’re doing things in this way and how individual efforts are connected to the bigger picture. It's about making the process transparent, so the community can see the steps we're taking towards our shared goals.

Strategy Implementation Takes Time

It takes time to really get to a place where everyone is thinking along the same lines and working within the structure you’ve created. I think four years is a good time frame to look at. It depends on the community – for some it takes longer, others maybe a bit less. Implementing a strategy also isn't a one-and-done deal. It's about constant adjustment, learning, and showing progress along the way.

But ultimately, it can lead to an organization that runs like a well-oiled machine, where everyone is working towards the vision. Turning a vision into action might be challenging, but with a clear approach and the right mindset, we can make it happen.

Let's bring those strategies off the page and into our communities, where they can really make a difference. If you’d like to learn more about the tools and techniques I’ve applied – or to explore what it might look like to get some implementation support - I’d be happy to have a conversation.

Connect with us for a free consultation. We’d love to help!