Lately, I’ve been hearing a lot of questions from clients about whether they really need a consultant for strategic planning. It’s a fair question—after all, who knows your organization better than you? But time and again, I’ve seen how the right outside perspective can make the process more focused, effective, and actionable.
Strategic planning is essential for any organization’s long-term success, but let’s be honest—it can also be daunting. Competing priorities, internal biases, and limited bandwidth often make it difficult to step back and see the big picture. That’s where an outside consultant can make all the difference.
4 reasons a consultant is helpful in strategic planning
- Objectivity. When you’re deeply embedded in your day-to-day work or have divergent options about your organization’s direction among key stakeholders, it’s hard to see the forest for the trees. An outside consultant brings fresh eyes and an unbiased perspective, helping to challenge assumptions, surface hidden opportunities, and address blind spots that internal teams might not recognize.
- Expertise & Proven Practice. A great consultant has seen what works (and what doesn’t) across multiple organizations. They bring proven frameworks, solid industry models, and innovative approaches tailored to your unique needs—saving your team from reinventing the wheel.
- Facilitation & Focus. Strategic planning requires collaboration, but without structure, it can quickly become a series of circular conversations. A consultant helps keep the process focused, ensures all voices are heard, and creates space for productive dialogue—so you walk away with a clear, actionable plan instead of a stack of ideas with no next steps.
- Efficiency & Accountability. It’s easy for strategic planning to get pushed aside in favor of urgent day-to-day tasks. With a consultant guiding the process, your team stays on track, decisions get made, and the plan moves forward on schedule—rather than stretching out indefinitely.
What if I prefer to DIY my strategic plan?
Hiring a consultant doesn’t make sense for every organization. Budget constraints, internal expertise, or the scope of your planning process might lead you to tackle it in-house—and that’s okay! While an outside perspective can add significant value, organizations can still run a successful strategic planning process on their own with the right approach. If you’re going the DIY route, here are a few tips to help keep the process focused and effective:
- Dedicate Time & Leadership. Strategic planning often stalls when it’s squeezed between daily responsibilities. Designate a leader (or a small team) to drive the process forward and set aside dedicated time for planning discussions.
- Engage Stakeholders Early. Involving staff, board members, and key partners from the start ensures broader buy-in and prevents major roadblocks down the line. Gather input through surveys, interviews, or focus groups to shape the plan.
- Keep It Actionable. A plan that sits on a shelf doesn’t help anyone. Focus on setting clear, measurable goals and identifying who will be responsible for implementation to ensure follow-through.
While DIY strategic planning is possible, having an external facilitator can help make the process smoother and more impactful. If you’re unsure what’s best for your organization, I’m always happy to chat about what might work for you! Please email me if you have any questions or thoughts.
Conclusion
Bringing in a strategic planning consultant isn’t about outsourcing decision-making—it’s about gaining the clarity, expertise, and structure needed to craft a vision that’s both ambitious and achievable. Whether you’re tackling a full-scale strategic plan or refining your direction, an outside perspective can be the key to unlocking your organization’s full potential.
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