A strategic planning software partner will enable teams to track and ensure that projects are aligned with the company’s goals. The right platform will allow teams to focus on their own needs while being held accountable for their contribution to the overall objectives.
A flexible platform allows for better collaboration and a plan that is more cohesive, which can be adapted to changing business demands. The most effective strategic software offers easy access to data, reports and a mobile application that lets users manage project plans from anywhere at any time.
Be sure that the strategic planning software you select is capable of producing beautiful dynamic reports for your stakeholders and meetings. Look for features like the ability to display an overview of departmental objectives and measures and drill down to specifics for detailed information. Look for the ability to use templates or customizable terms for each of the various elements of strategic planning and execution. In addition, you should consider whether the tool can be used in conjunction with your preferred strategy management framework including the balanced scorecard (BSC), OKRs, Six Sigma, or Management by Objectives.
Be cautious about using software for strategic planning that focuses exclusively on one-off activities that are completed only at the beginning of the process, such as SWOT analysis or cascading actions plans. These kinds of tools could be appropriate for the workflow of your business, but they won’t be the most efficient way to take advantage of the cloud to aid in strategic planning.