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As the role of senior school leaders has become more complex, the leadership of improvement, innovation and change has been distributed to middle leaders. However, middle leaders are often not prepared for the shift to strategic thinking and leading. This chapter provides an overview of what it means to think and lead strategically when leading from the middle. Then, the theory is translated into practical templates and tools that can be employed by a middle leader. The context of this chapter is leading a faculty in a secondary school; however, the ideas and examples provided are easily translated to any middle leading context.

This article analyzes the strategic use of microcomputers and software packages in corporate planning and decision making in SMEs. Data were collected from 44 SMEs from three cities in the Republic of Botswana to study their perceptions about the use of computer‐based technology to solve managerial problems, and analysed using simple descriptive statistics. The findings indicate that SMEs conduct both strategic and operational planning activities. However, microcomputers and software packages were used primarily for operational and administrative tasks rather than for strategic planning. SMEs perceive that strategic planning is costly and time‐consuming, and hence appropriate only for large firms. The study also showed that firm size and strategic orientation are related to the use of computer technology for strategic decision making. The major implication of the findings for future research has been identified and presented.

This study is designed to examine strategic planning practices in Jordanian manufacturing organizations (JMOs). Two issues are of primary concern here. The first is related to the extent of using strategic planning in JMOs, while the second issue is concerned with the infrastructure necessary to implement successful strategic planning.

Data were collected via a questionnaire that was administered to the CEOs of the 37 manufacturing firms included in this study. Out of the 37 questionnaires distributed, 28 were returned representing a response rate of 76 percent.

Results reveal that 39 percent of JMOs are implementing strategic planning, whereas 61 percent are not. Results also indicate that while JMOs managers possess strong and positive attitudes toward strategic planning; these attitudes have not been translated into real commitment. A low to moderate level of commitment, low level of participation, and moderate strength of information system are found in this study.

So far, only limited empirical research has been conducted to explore strategic planning practices in Jordanian business organizations (JBOs). Our current study is among the few pioneering studies that have contributed to the enhancement of our understanding of strategic planning practices in JBOs.

The purpose of this paper is to describe an approach to information technology (IT) strategic planning for libraries and institutions of higher education.

The “why, what, and how” of IT strategic planning for libraries is explained, to show the efficacy and value of long‐term IT planning and budgeting. The organization, design, processes, templates, and methodologies of IT strategic planning practices that have been proven and constantly refined through projects with academic, public, and national libraries are described.

Principles described for IT strategic planning as a team‐based enterprise learning process apply as well to the design and conduct of major IT procurements, where the organization also seeks best value IT outcomes for the long term. The approach is scalable with respect to the human resources and time required (e.g. three months, six months); the design and steps of the process; the methodologies employed; and the number, design, format, components, and contents of internal working documents and the published report(s).

IT strategic planning educates the institution about choices and consequences, decides on technology priorities and investments, makes informed decisions with confidence, and delivers consensus‐based outcomes and stakeholders' buy‐in.

This article is a primer which aims to examine the application of project management principles in organizational strategic planning. The intended audience is students in health administration and novice leaders in health care.

A six‐phase project management algorithm is presented to serve as a framework for implementing various aspects of an organization's strategic plan, with a particular emphasis on accountability processes.

Leaders in healthcare can increase the effectiveness of their organization's strategic planning processes and improve accountability by incorporating basic project management principles during the implementation phase of strategic planning.

This is a review article drawing on a well‐established literature in project management and strategic planning.

The processes associated with generating an organizational strategic plan are well addressed in the management literature. This article succinctly outlines the application of basic project management principles to the implementation of strategic plans and organizational success, focusing on accountability processes.

Cost effectiveness of health organizations can be improved by implementing project management practices in strategic planning.

The article succinctly applies basic project management principles to the implementation of strategic plans and organizational success.

Examines the strategic planning process as well as some practical issues associated with strategic planning. Specific emphasis is placed on a simplified approach to strategic planning. The relationship between strategic planning and performance is discussed. A brief overview of common approaches used to develop strategic plans is also provided. An overview of the development of a preliminary strategic plan for a growing health care organization is discussed to assist practitioners in their planning efforts. Given that the illustration is for an initial strategic plan, an examination of performance implications was not possible. However, practical implications and some of the lessons learned are discussed.

If strategic planning is to have a valuable impact on an organization′s performance, dispassionate analysis of the plan is obligatory. In a limited context, auditing the strategic plan involves examining the extent to which the plan is being implemented as originally conceived. In a broader context, strategic auditing should also help to identify improvements to the strategic management process itself so the internal auditor might audit: the process used, the plan immediately after it is produced and its implementation three to six months later, and the control and regulatory systems in place to ensure the process is effective.

The author believes that corporate practitioners and the leaders who rely on them stand to gain from supporting a training and certification program in strategic planning and strategic management. this paper aims to address this issue.

The author researches and lays out the necessary steps that need to be taken before strategic planning can become a recognized profession.

The steps leading to professional certification are: an accepted set of standards for strategic‐planning practitioners needs to be developed and a widely recognized practitioner‐credentialing program must be in place.

The paper reports on the progress toward a goal of credentialing made by the Association for Strategic Planning.

The Association for Strategic Planning now offers two levels of certifications: the Strategic Planning Professional and the more advanced Strategic Management Professional plus a designation, the Strategic Planning Apprentice. In addition, the Association for Strategic Planning has approved an initial set of Registered Educational Providers that offer courses, seminars, and programs in strategic planning and strategic management.

Chief executive officers, trainers and planners will be interested in this report on the state of professional credentialing and training in the field of strategic management and planning.

Strategic planning is a misunderstood and maligned managerial tool. Most organizations have tried it but relatively few actually achieve success in strategic planning.

The experience of Countrywide Financial Corporation demonstrates how strategic planning can be used as a key lever for change and describes the benefits that accrued to it through this process. Stanford Kurland, the Company’s COO, engaged Eric Flamholtz to assist with developing a more sophisticated approach to strategic planning at Countrywide. Flamholtz introduced: a template for organizational assessment and development; and a systematic process for strategic planning that had been applied elsewhere with considerable success. The new planning process s became a corporate priority.

The planning system has also led to a variety of other significant organizational benefits including: a constructive forum for elevating management’s focus from tactical and operational concerns to broader strategic challenges; a shift away from a “silo mentality” to a “Countrywide perspective”; a clear set of priorities to guide operating unit activities and decision‐making; measurable objectives that emphasize linkages across organizational boundaries; and greater understanding and communication of the plan throughout the organization.

Kurland was focused on longer‐range issues for the company, but most of the other members of Countrywide’s senior management were more focused on short‐term competitive success in their own divisions. It led to significant changes and benefits at Countrywide, including a strategic shift in corporate direction.

This study investigates the relationship between a firm's competitive strategy and strategic plan intensity, defined as the emphasis placed on strategic planning in guiding the future decisions and activities carried out by organisational members. The research question addressed is “Under what competitive strategy contexts does high strategic plan intensity lead to greater performance?” The competitive strategies considered are low‐cost, differentiation and competitive strategy segmentation. Strategic plan intensity is viewed as the combined emphasis a firm places on mission/vision, long‐term objectives, planned activities, short‐term objectives and policies in guiding the decisions and activities of organisation members.