Why do you need a strategic plan?

Strategic plans and performance management can help you align goals, priorities, and resources toward a shared vision. They drive accountability and help your team make intentional, strategic decisions to improve outcomes and stay adaptable and resilient in changing times.

How can this program help?

Through the Strategic Planning and Performance Management Program (SPPM), UNC School of Government experts will work with your team through a twelve-month process to create a comprehensive strategic and performance management plan that will guide your organization for the next five years and beyond.


Counties, municipalities, single departments, independent agencies, and state agencies are all eligible to participate.

The School also assists in building internal capacity to implement the plan, monitor progress, and make evidence-based decisions after the facilitation process has ended.

What you'll walk away with

  • Mission, vision, values statements for your organization
  • Goals and objectives
  • Action implementation plan
  • Core performance metrics
  • Decision-making framework to support achieving goals

12-Month Program Timeline

Phase One

Strategic Planning

Month 1

  • Kickoff: Alert key stakeholders, conduct pre-project surveys, and form planning groups

Months 2–3

  • Draft and share mission, vision, and values
  • Full-day retreats with board, staff, and planning committee

Months 4–5

  • Discuss and refine goals with planning committee and leadership
  • Full-day retreat with planning committee
  • Share updated goals with the board for feedback

Months 6–7

  • Finalize mission, vision, values, and goals with planning committee through full-day sessions

Phase Two

Performance Measurement and Decision Making

Months 8–9

  • Develop objectives with planning committees and staff
  • Full-day strategy sessions with all stakeholders

Months 10–11

  • Develop actionable steps with staff

Month 12

  • Finalize implementation and management plan

Program Cost

Costs are variable and depend on the type of organization, its complexity, and the population size served. Contact us to confirm a pricing range.


Start your application

Step One

Review the Call for Projects document to see if this program is a good fit for you.

Make sure your organization can support the key project actors and their responsibilities.

Download PDF

Step Two

Complete the Application

The departmental director or city/town/county manager should complete this application.

Please review the Call for Projects document before filling out the application.

About Yourself

Please provide your contact information and background

About Your Organization

Tell us about the organization applying for the program

Program Justification

Help us understand your organization's needs and readiness

Please review the Call for Projects document in the Resources tab before submitting

* denotes required field

Additional Resources

Call for projects


Contact

Have questions about the Strategic Planning and Performance Management Program? Our team is here to help.

Obed Pasha

Associate Professor of Public Management

pasha@sog.unc.edu

Kimberly L. Nelson

Professor of Public Administration and Government

knelson@sog.unc.edu