White papers on strategic planning can aid you in leading change and introducing technology into your business via a solid and inclusive planning process. Strategic planning is used in business for identifying a mission and vision, as well as supporting values, goals, objectives, roles, responsibilities and timelines.

Strategic planning is a tool to help an organization or company do a better job. It can be short- or long-term in focus. As you search for white papers about strategic planning, keep some details in mind:

1. Strategic planning requires making decisions and taking action now in anticipation of the future company environment.

2. Strategic planning is a tool used by management, and shouldn't be a replacement for leadership experience.

3. Strategic planning is a creative process, as opposed to linear. It does not always move steadily from one step to the next.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Sign up to have access to current strategic planning white papers

An efficient way to find strategic planning white papers is to sign up with an online library which strives to keep information fresh. Many repositories encourage information sharing, which allows information to stay current. There are many parts to a strategic plan, so spend some quality time reading through the information you find.

I recommend: Business Week maintains an online technology research library of strategic planning white papers. Bitpipe offers a comprehensive library of syndicated white papers, including strategic planning white papers, for a free membership.

Read and download white papers for strategic planning

Instant access to a white paper for strategic planning is instrumental in an individual's ability to gain knowledge and apply new methods to procedures which may need to be revamped for effectiveness. Many resources require registration in order to give feedback to the company whose white paper you are accessing.

I recommend: TechRepublic has papers on strategic planning for IT from various companies available for a free registered membership. Silicon.com has a library of over one thousand IT management white papers from companies of all sizes and within various markets.

Create your own strategic planning paper

Reading through and studying an example of a strategic planning white paper can be quite educational and insightful. There isn't any better experience than your own, so jump in to strategic planning with a strategy planning worksheet based on your own needs and knowledge as you glean data from already published strategic plans.

I recommend: Instant Strategist offers strategic planning guidance via book, software, e-book, audio, video or PowerPoint presentation download. Planware offers an example strategic plan worksheet as a free download.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As you seek out IT strategic planning white papers, focus on your competition. There's no need to re-invent a report if one already exists. Use what information applies and move forward from there.