What is Planning?

Introduction
What is the use of running if youre not
on the right road?
German Proverb

Introduction
Every library large or small needs a
strategic plan. It is the blueprint that
sets the direction for where your
organization is going.

Overview

Requirements for success

Elements of plans
Planning process and what it covers
Evaluation and output measures
Types of evaluation

Lesson Objective
By the end of this lesson you will
be able to:
Describe a successful planning process
List the five phases of planning
Explain the importance of evaluation,
measurement

What is a Plan?
Common elements in plans are:

Overview of current library status

Assessment of trends in the community
SWOT Analysis
Mission and vision statements
Strategies and actions

What is a Plan?
Common elements in plans are:

Rationale for strategies

Anticipated costs
Time line and implementation plan
Guidelines for measurement and evaluation
Supporting data gathered in planning process
Acknowledgements

Strategic Plans:

Confirm and articulate purpose

Provide decision making
Establish priorities and measure success
Signal good management
Identify efficiencies
Ensure services are customer driven
Identify opportunities and problems

Strategic Initiatives Cover:

Board and staff development/training

Funding/financial management
Facilities planning and maintenance
Collection development
Program development
Adult and childrens services

Strategic Initiatives Cover:

Advocacy and government relations

Community outreach and partnerships
Technology planning
Services to ethnic populations
Marketing and public relations
Administration and management

Successful Planning Process

Everyone participates
Board and staff educated about planning
Board and staff explore new ideas
Board takes advantages of opportunities
Necessary resources available

A Plan Litmus Test

Does it:

Support mission and vision of library?

Satisfy identified community needs?
Help market and brand the library?
Consider library resources?
Address multiple goals?
Provide favorable return on investment?

Five Phases of Planning

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Organize and delegate roles

Initiate information gathering
Analyze data, identify goals & objectives
Write the new strategic plan
Market and disseminate the plan

Evaluation

Progress needs to be evaluated

Objectives determine progress
Outcomes need to be assessed
Decide if plan is still valid
Changes can be made
Evaluate at least once a year

Measures for Evaluation

Inputs
Outputs
Outcomes

Inputs
Resources used by a program
Collections, materials, equipment, supplies
Staff, volunteer time and expertise, community
partners
Needs assessment findings
Facilities, computers, online access
Constraints - law, regulation, funding

Outputs Are:

Answer How many? (extensiveness)

Product volume or evidence of delivery
Results of inputs and activities
From staff perspective
Quantified by neutral observers

Outcomes Are:

Answer So what? (effectiveness)

Impact or benefit to end user
Results of inputs and activities
From customers perspective
Often quantified by perceptions
Measured by professional assessments

Outcomes Are:

Success stories
Anticipated and planned for
Make project expectations explicit
Assumptions of contributions towards
meeting the goal

Other Types

Measures (circulation, visits, etc)

Benchmarking
Customer satisfaction surveys
Website user surveys
Evaluation of quality of programs

Group Exercise

Resources
New Planning for Results online course
www.pla.org/ala/pla/plaevents/elearningpla/elearn
ingpla.htm

IMLS Outcome Based Evaluation

www.imls.gov/grants/current/crnt_log.htm

A list of books is at the end of this section in

your toolkit.

REVIEW

Element of plans
How to apply a litmus test
Evaluation is necessary
The types of measures needed