Strategic Planning: 6 Steps to Map Your Community’s Future

Many community associations struggle with where or how to start a strategic planning process, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. 

Follow these six basic steps based on the experience of The Landings Association, a multigenerational haven for 9,000 residents on Skidaway Island, Ga. The community developed a strategic plan after noticing significant demographic changes. 

Patty Morgan, president of the large-scale, 50-year-old community near Savannah, felt the systematic process of developing a formalized strategic plan established a framework where a full range of strategies could be considered. 

1. Determine needs.

Communities undertake strategic planning for many reasons. A plan can help clarify conflicting interests, manage board leadership transitions, accommodate growth, address aging infrastructure, or establish priorities for major capital projects.

2. Establish a committee.

A strategic planning committee can include representatives from various segments of the community such as current and incoming board members, staff, and stakeholders from related organizations. Involving key groups will build consensus, strengthen relationships among community entities, and lay the groundwork for successful plan adoption and execution. 

3. Collect data.

Prior to developing a strategic plan, gather relevant information to ensure a coherent process of reflection and dialogue grounded in shared perspectives. Consider the following:

Community survey. Assess residents’ satisfaction with association services such as common area maintenance and upkeep, communications, recreational amenities and activities, as well as architectural review processes. Incorporate open-ended questions regarding why residents choose to live in the community and their reasons for remaining. These responses will help establish the association’s overarching vision and mission.

Stakeholder assessment. Interview governance and operational leaders. Ask open-ended questions to explore the community’s strengths, challenges, and priorities. This approach effectively identifies recurring themes, strategic focus areas, and objectives. 

Focus groups. Gather in-person or virtual groups to bring residents together to validate and enrich findings from the stakeholder assessment.

Document review. Examine bylaws, declarations, policy resolutions, reserve studies, financial statements, and committee and board minutes. This step identifies areas requiring realignment with contemporary practices and needs.

4. Use data to draft plans.

The information obtained through the data collection process will lead to a plan that aligns with the needs and preferences of the community.

5. Inform the community.

Communication is critical throughout the process. Notify residents about the development of a strategic plan and that their perspectives will be valuable. The results of the resident survey will serve as the basis for the plan. Additional input will be gathered from residents who participate in focus group sessions.

Establish a dedicated page on the community website where residents can access updates and information regarding the process. Include the results of the community survey, stakeholder assessments, and feedback from focus groups on the page. 

The strategic planning committee also can provide regular reports during board meetings, contribute articles to the association’s newsletter, and utilize social media platforms to ensure ongoing communication.

6. Take action.

Developing a strategic plan often spans several months. Once the board adopts the plan, it will design an implementation strategy. This strategy serves as a framework to support governance and management. Ongoing accountability is a vital component.

By executing these steps, associations can set clear strategic priorities and create an actionable plan aligned with community needs and long-term objectives. The plan becomes a guiding document that helps boards and management stay focused, navigate competing interests, and maintain momentum throughout the multiyear implementation. 

>>Read more about The Landings’ strategic plan in CAI’s Common Ground magazine.