Adaptive planning is essential for nonprofit leaders who need to adjust and make key decisions when circumstances change. It utilizes tools that help organizations capitalize on opportunities and manage potential risks more effectively.
Bridgespan defines adaptive planning as “hoping for the best but anticipating challenges and preparing in case things don’t go as expected.” I would add that it also involves planning for the expected, and anticipating for new opportunities that could create an even greater impact than originally envisioned.
This article explores the differences between strategic and adaptive planning, explains why adaptive planning is imperative today, and introduces tools that can help leaders navigate uncertain times.
What Is Strategic Planning, and How Is Adaptive Planning Different?
First, strategic and adaptive planning are not mutually exclusive—both are necessary. Adaptive planning should be embedded within strategic planning, equipping leaders to make the right decisions within their strategic framework when faced with opportunities or challenges.
Strategic planning has long been the backbone of organizational decision-making—at least when leaders take the time to do it well and integrate it into daily operations. Heightened Development (HD) writes more about making the most of strategic planning here. Strategic planning typically involves setting a clear vision, defining long-term objectives, and mapping out steps to achieve those goals. While this structured approach provides clarity and direction, it often assumes a relatively stable environment.
Adaptive planning, on the other hand, acknowledges and embraces uncertainty. It focuses on flexibility and the ability to pivot quickly in response to unexpected changes or challenges. While strategic planning charts a definitive course, adaptive planning ensures organizations can modify their strategies without losing sight of overarching goals. The key distinction lies in responsiveness—adaptive planning recognizes that success depends not just on having a plan but on the ability to adjust it as circumstances evolve.
Why Is Adaptive Planning Imperative?
Adaptive planning is crucial for several reasons:
- Maximizing Opportunities & Minimizing Risks
As mentioned earlier, adaptive planning helps organizations seize key opportunities and reduce risks. Given limited resources, leaders often continue with “business as usual” instead of taking the time to develop strategies that capitalize on their greatest opportunities. Similarly, while many organizations acknowledge their biggest risks, they often fail to allocate time to mitigate those risks or plan for potential responses. The pandemic reinforced how essential it is to prepare for the unexpected. - Handling Constant Change
Nonprofit leaders frequently encounter new opportunities and challenges. How do you ensure your decisions remain aligned with your core strategy? Certain adaptive tools can help guide these decisions. - Encouraging Broader Stakeholder Feedback
Many adaptive planning tools naturally involve seeking feedback from a wider range of team members and stakeholders. This broader perspective helps leaders anticipate challenges and avoid blind spots that can arise from relying on feedback from a small group of decision-makers.
The Strategy Screen: A Reactive Tool for Key Decisions
When unexpected decisions arise, leaders need a framework to evaluate options quickly and effectively without straying from their core strategy. This is where the strategy screen comes in. As outlined in an earlier HD article, the strategy screen is a decision-making tool that helps organizations assess potential actions against predefined criteria rooted in their mission, values, and goals.
For example, if an organization is considering expanding to a new target population or adding a new program, the strategy screen helps determine whether to say “yes.” By ensuring alignment with the broader strategic framework, this tool enables thoughtful and consistent decision-making—even under pressure.
Strategic Foresight: A Proactive Tool for Future Planning
In addition to reactive tools like the strategy screen, leaders need proactive methods to prepare for various future scenarios. This is where strategic foresight comes into play. Strategic foresight involves identifying potential future scenarios and developing plans to address them. It helps organizations anticipate challenges, seize opportunities, and build resilience.
One example of a foresight tool is scenario planning, which allows organizations to explore multiple possible futures and create adaptable strategies for each. HD will share more about scenario planning and how to use it for future planning next month.
For support with strategic and adaptive planning, contact Heightened Development (here).
