Module 06 · Strategic Planning

Monitoring & Adaptation

Build the rhythm that keeps the plan alive.

What this module does

The plans that get funded again are the ones that get reviewed. Module 06 installs the cadence that keeps the plan honest and the board engaged.

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Matt Cutts

A short, sharp frame for monitoring cadence and habit.

Worked example
HEAL NH, Strategic Plan 2011, 2014, Goal Five.
Goal Five: Develop and implement an evaluation system to make informed decisions about future direction of HEAL. 5.1 By 2012, develop and begin execution of an evaluation plan to determine the impact of HEAL strategic plan goals and objectives. 5.2 By 2014, disseminate evaluation findings to HEAL stakeholders and partners to share lessons learned and promote best practices.

What to copy: HEAL named evaluation as a goal of the plan itself, not an afterthought. They committed to building the evaluation system in year one and sharing lessons learned by year three. That is the monitoring rhythm your Module 06 output should lock in.

Read the full HEAL NH plan (PDF) →
The beats
  1. 01

    Pick the cadence

    Decide who reviews what, how often, monthly, quarterly, annually.

    Open beat
  2. 02

    Build the scorecard

    Create the one-page internal scorecard staff actually use.

    Open beat
  3. 03

    Build the board dashboard

    Translate the scorecard into a funder-grade quarterly view.

    Open beat
  4. 04

    Install the review ritual

    Schedule the meetings and define who owns each conversation.

    Open beat
  5. 05

    Plan the re-plan

    Decide what triggers an in-cycle adjustment vs. an annual refresh.

    Open beat