The Definition of Strategic Planning: A White Paper

Strategic Planning is a misunderstood and often misused term, lacking a well-defined and widely agreed upon definition.  Strategy, and the planning associated with it, has origins dating back to its military usage as early as the 6th century.  In the corporate world, strategic planning generally refers to the defining of the organization’s go-forward plan for the future and accompanying desired outcomes. The spectrum of corporate strategic planning models and processes is broad, and the term has taken on many different connotations over recent decades. 

This White Paper aims to more definitively define the term, “Strategic Planning” in its corporate context and explores the basic components of what should be done in the planning process to make it worthwhile - delivering value, profits and securing competitive advantage.