What is Planning?

Introduction

“What is the use of running if you’re not on the right road?”

German Proverb

Introduction

Every library – large or small – needs a strategic plan. It is the blueprint that

sets the direction for where your organization is going.

Overview

• Requirements for success

• Elements of plans

• Planning process and what it covers

• Evaluation and output measures

• Types of evaluation

Lesson Objective

• Describe a successful planning process

• List the five phases of planning

• Explain the importance of evaluation, measurement

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

What is a Plan?

• Overview of current library status

• Assessment of trends in the community

• SWOT Analysis

• Mission and vision statements

• Strategies and actions

Common elements in plans are:

What is a Plan?

• Rationale for strategies • Anticipated costs• Time line and implementation plan• Guidelines for measurement and evaluation• Supporting data gathered in planning process• Acknowledgements

Common elements in plans are:

Strategic Plans:

• Confirm and articulate purpose

• Provide decision making

• Establish priorities and measure success

• Signal good management

• Identify efficiencies

• Ensure services are customer driven

• Identify opportunities and problems

Strategic Initiatives Cover:

• Board and staff development/training

• Funding/financial management

• Facilities planning and maintenance

• Collection development

• Program development

• Adult and children’s services

Strategic Initiatives Cover:

• Advocacy and government relations

• Community outreach and partnerships

• Technology planning

• Services to ethnic populations

• Marketing and public relations

• Administration and management

Successful Planning Process

• Everyone participates

• Board and staff educated about planning

• Board and staff explore new ideas

• Board takes advantages of opportunities

• Necessary resources available

A Plan “Litmus” Test

• Support mission and vision of library?

• Satisfy identified community needs?

• Help market and brand the library?

• Consider library resources?

• Address multiple goals?

• Provide favorable return on investment?

Does it:

Five Phases of Planning

1. Organize and delegate roles

2. Initiate information gathering

3. Analyze data, identify goals & objectives

4. Write the new strategic plan

5. Market and disseminate the plan

Evaluation

• Progress needs to be evaluated

• Objectives determine progress

• Outcomes need to be assessed

• Decide if plan is still valid

• Changes can be made

• Evaluate at least once a year

Measures for Evaluation

• Inputs

• Outputs

• Outcomes

Inputs

• Resources used by a program• Collections, materials, equipment, supplies• Staff, volunteer time and expertise, community

partners• Needs assessment findings• Facilities, computers, online access• Constraints - law, regulation, funding

Outputs Are:

• Answer “How many?” (extensiveness)

• Product volume or evidence of delivery

• Results of inputs and activities

• From staff perspective

• Quantified by neutral observers

Outcomes Are:

• Answer “So what?” (effectiveness)

• Impact or benefit to end user

• Results of inputs and activities

• From customer’s perspective

• Often quantified by perceptions

• Measured by professional assessments

Outcomes Are:

• Success stories

• Anticipated and planned for

• Make project expectations explicit

• Assumptions of contributions towards meeting the goal

Other Types

• Measures (circulation, visits, etc…)

• Benchmarking

• Customer satisfaction surveys

• Website user surveys

• Evaluation of quality of programs

Group Exercise

Resources• New Planning for Results online course

– www.pla.org/ala/pla/plaevents/elearningpla/elearningpla.htm

• IMLS Outcome Based Evaluation– www.imls.gov/grants/current/crnt_log.htm

A list of books is at the end of this section in your toolkit.

REVIEW

• Element of plans

• How to apply a “litmus test”

• Evaluation is necessary

• The types of measures needed