Strategic Plan Template: What, Why, How, and Examples

A strategic plan template can be an incredibly valuable tool for any business looking to build an effective strategy. This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about strategic plan templates – what they are, why you need one, how to create an effective template, and plenty of template examples you can use.

What Is a Strategic Plan Template and Why Do You Need One?

A strategic plan template is a framework you can use to create an effective strategic plan for your business. A well-thought-out strategic plan is essential for guiding your business initiatives, setting goals and priorities, allocating resources, and measuring success.

Without a plan, it's easy to lose sight of your objectives and core business priorities. A template provides the basic structure to develop a strategic plan that is tailored to your organization's needs.

What are the Benefits of Using a Strategic Plan Template?

There are many excellent reasons to use a pre-made strategic plan template:

• Saves time. Creating a strategic plan from scratch is an extensive process. A template gives you a jumpstart so you can hit the ground running.

• Provides structure. A template gives your strategic plan organization, consistency, and flow from one section to the next. This structure ensures you cover all aspects of strategic planning.

• Includes crucial sections. The best templates contain all the basic components your strategic plan requires, such as SWOT analysis, mission and vision statements, business goals, action plans, and more.

• Allows customization. While templates provide comprehensive structure, you can customize the content to fit your specific business needs.

• Offers flexibility. Templates come in a wide variety of formats. You can find templates for every business type and industry.

• Gives direction. An effective strategic plan template will include guidance and examples so you know what to include in each section.

When Do You Need a Strategic Plan Template?

There are certain situations where having a pre-made strategic plan template on hand can be particularly helpful:

• When starting a new business

• When launching new products, initiatives or partnerships

• When entering a new market or geography 

• When restructuring your business model

• When refocusing your core business strategy

• When integrating business units after a merger or acquisition

• When rebuilding after a significant business disruption

The bottom line? Any time you need an effective strategic plan, a template is the easiest way to create one.

What Does an Effective Strategic Plan Template Include?

Strategic plan templates can range from basic to very detailed. But the best templates contain these core sections:

1. Executive Summary

A high-level overview of the key elements in your strategic plan. This is often written last to summarize the key points.

2. Company Background

Basic business information and brief history to provide context.

3. Vision and Mission Statements

Explains your company's purpose and future vision.

4. SWOT Analysis

Examines internal strengths and weaknesses as well as external opportunities and threats.

5. Core Business Goals

The critical long-term business objectives you want to achieve.

6. Core Strategies

The approaches you will take to meet your goals.

7. Action Plans/Tactics

The specific actions and initiatives you will execute to implement your strategies.

8. Financial Projections

Forecasted financials based on your strategic initiatives and goals.

9. Measurement/KPIs

Metrics to track progress and gauge if you are on track to hit targets.

10. Appendix

Any additional data that supports your strategic plan, like marketing plans, HR plans, operational plans, etc.

How to Create Your Own Strategic Plan Template

If you want to build your own custom strategic plan template from scratch, follow these steps:

Choose Your Format

Decide if you want a Word doc, PowerPoint presentation, or Excel spreadsheet. Excel is ideal for financials and metrics.

Craft an Outline

Make an outline with section headers of all the components to include. Order the sections logically.

Add Template Content

Under each header, include subheadings, advice for what to write, and questions to answer.

Include Examples

Provide concrete examples where you can for help filling out sections properly.

Add Design Elements

Use visuals like text boxes, divider lines, icons, and color schemes for visual organization.

Offer Guidance

Give tips and best practices for how to get the most out of the template.

Enable Customization

Use adaptable formatting so users can easily add or remove sections to meet their needs.

Key Components of a Strategic Plan Template

Let's take a closer look at some of the most important elements to include in your strategic plan template:

Vision Statement

A vision statement defines your company's purpose and aspirations for the future. It provides direction and inspiration for your business.

Mission Statement

Your mission statement explains why your company exists and what you aim to accomplish. It articulates your core values and priorities.

SWOT Analysis

Examining your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats helps you form strategies based on a clear assessment of your business's internal and external landscape.

Strategic Goals

The major objectives you want to achieve through your strategic plan. These goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

Core Strategies and Priorities

The key approaches and focus areas your company will concentrate resources on to reach its goals. This establishes strategic alignment across the organization.

Action Plans and Tactics

The concrete initiatives, projects, and activities required to execute your strategies successfully. Detailed action plans bring your strategy to life.  

Financial Projections

Projected financial statements, forecasts, and budgets aligned to your strategic objectives. This connects strategy to expected financial results.

Measurement/KPIs

Relevant key performance indicators to track progress on goals and strategies. What metrics will you monitor to gauge success?

Competitive Analysis

Analysis of competitor strengths and weaknesses, market position, and potential opportunities. This external perspective informs your strategy.

Strategic Plan Template Examples

To give you an idea of what an strategic plan template can look like, here are a few examples in different formats you can model yours after.

Word Strategic Plan Template - Traditional Word doc outline template with sections for vision, SWOT, objectives, and more.

Business Strategy PowerPoint Template - Visually engaging PPT slide deck with charts and graphs to present strategic plans.

Nonprofit Strategic Plan Template - Template tailored to the strategic planning needs of nonprofit organizations.

Marketing Plan Template - Template with model financials to connect marketing strategies to revenue goals.

Strategic Planning Canvas - One-page visual canvas template for summarizing your entire strategic plan.

Strategic Business Plan Template - Comprehensive template designed for small business strategic planning.

Strategy Map Template - Visual diagram for mapping strategic objectives and metrics.

Strategic Marketing Plan Template - Detailed marketing-focused strategic plan template.

Strategic Planning SWOT Analysis Template - Template to guide your SWOT analysis process.

Strategic Plan Timeline Template - Timeline template to schedule and track strategic plan implementation.

How Strategic Planning Templates Help Different Business Types

Industry-specific strategic plan templates can provide tailored guidance for all types of businesses and organizations.

Startup Business Plans

For startup founders developing a new business, a template provides a proven structure to build your strategic foundation.

Nonprofit Strategic Plans

Nonprofit templates include sections like fundraising plans, community engagement goals, and measuring social impact.

Marketing Strategic Plans

A marketing template will integrate strategic marketing objectives like growth targets, positioning, and metrics.

Hospitality Strategic Plans

Hospitality templates feature specifics like occupancy rate goals, customer retention plans, and quality standards.

Healthcare Strategic Plans

Healthcare templates include clinical goals, patient satisfaction metrics, emerging treatment plans, and regulatory compliance.

Education Strategic Plans

Education templates focus on student outcomes, program development, campus initiatives, and building community partnerships.

Government Strategic Plans

Government templates align missions, community objectives, legislation, resources, technologies, and public communication.

Strategic Planning Process Steps

While the template provides overall structure, you'll need to follow a clear process to develop the strategic plan content. Here are key steps:

1. Form a Planning Team

Assemble a team with diverse viewpoints across departments to get broad input.

2. Review Company Background

Look at your history, performance, culture, competitive landscape, and business environment.

3. Define Your Mission and Vision

Your mission and vision guide the underlying strategic plan direction.

4. Conduct a SWOT Analysis

Analyze your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

5. Establish Strategic Goals

Define the vital few goals to achieve over the next 1-3 years.

6. Formulate Strategies and Plans

Determine the strategies and concrete plans to meet each goal.

7. Develop Action Plans and Tactics

Outline the specific projects, initiatives, tasks, budgets, and timelines.

8. Track Metrics and KPIs

Identify metrics and KPIs to measure progress on goals.

9. Review and Revise

Set dates to regularly review the plan and adapt as needed.

Following these steps will help you maximize the value of your strategic planning template.

Tips for Developing an Effective Strategic Plan

Keep these tips in mind as you use a template to create your strategic plan:

• Involve team members and stakeholders in the planning process for alignment and buy-in.

• Set specific, measurable goals based on data and objective analysis. Avoid vague or overly ambitious goals.

• Limit your strategic goals to the vital few you can reasonably accomplish in 1-3 years. Too many goals spread resources too thin.

• Connect goals directly to specific metrics and KPIs that will indicate success.

• Assign goals and action items to specific team members to establish accountability.

• Allocate resources, budgets, and timelines to each strategy and initiative.

• Analyze progress frequently and adjust plans as needed based on internal and external changes.

• Communicate the plan across the organization and revisit it often so it stays top of mind.

Conclusion and Next Steps

An effective strategic plan template provides immense value by giving your planning process focus and structure from the start. Leveraging the template examples and best practices provided above, you can craft a custom strategic plan tailored to your organization's unique needs and positioned to drive sustainable growth and success. 

Some important next steps as you begin your strategic planning process:

• Determine your planning timeline and key milestones.

• Assemble your planning team and key stakeholders.

• Review your business background, competitive landscape, and metrics.

• Define your mission, vision, values, and SWOT analysis.

• Brainstorm strategic goals and start mapping strategies.

With your strategic foundations in place, you can then utilize your selected strategic plan template to develop the detailed plans, financials, metrics, and more that will propel your organization forward. Move confidently into the future armed with an actionable strategic plan and roadmap to get there.