Create Your Strategic Plan That Actually Gets Real Results

Master the proven 3-step strategic planning process plus 6 essential tools that successful leaders use to assess their situation, create compelling visions, and build strategic direction that drives real progress. 

Whether you're running a business, leading a non-profit, or managing a team, you need a clear strategic plan to guide decisions and align efforts. This course gives you the essential framework and professional-grade templates to create your first strategic plan in just 3 weeks.

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Are These Strategic Planning Challenges Holding You Back?

Don't Know Where to Start

You know you need a strategic plan but feel overwhelmed by where to begin

Generic Business Planning

Your current plans focus on operations but lack true strategic direction

No Clear Assessment

You're not sure how to honestly evaluate your current situation and capabilities

Vague Vision

Your future goals are unclear or not inspiring enough to motivate action

Disconnected Goals

Your objectives don't connect your current reality to your desired future

 Implementation Gaps

You have ideas but struggle to turn them into actionable plans with real momentum
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"If you recognized yourself in any of these scenarios, you're not alone. Most leaders never learn systematic strategic planning. They guess, copy others, or skip planning altogether. There's a proven better way."

The Complete Strategic Planning Starter System

We’ve helped individuals like you obtain the training and credentials they need to deliver expert advice and provide quality services. Now it’s your turn to help others.

Strategic Assessment (SWOT)

Systematically evaluate your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to understand where you are today

Independent Vision Creation

Develop an inspiring, aspirational destination that motivates stakeholders and drives transformation

Strategic Goals & Direction

Bridge the gap between current reality and future vision with clear goals, milestones, and implementation plans
"This proven 3-step process works whether you're planning for a 5-person startup or a 500-person organization. It works in boardrooms and community meetings. It works for first-time planners and experienced leaders."
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Why This Course Works Where Others Fail

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Beginner-Focused:

Specifically designed for first-time strategic planners with step-by-step guidance and a manageable scope.

Digital Toolkit:

Includes digital SWOT analysis and vision creation tools that guide you through the process with prompts and insights.

Professional Output

Creates a complete, professional strategic plan suitable for stakeholder presentation and real implementation.

Independent Vision Methodology 

Unique approach that separates assessment from vision to create genuine strategic gaps that drive innovation.

Clear Progression Path

Perfect preparation for advanced Strategy Class courses and professional strategic planning development.
Don't hesitate

Start Your Strategic Planning Journey Today

Start your SWOT analysis within 2 hours of enrollment. Complete your first strategic plan draft within 3 weeks

Everything Included in Your Strategic Planning Starter Toolkit

Module 1: Strategic Planning Process Overview 

  • Understand when and how to use strategic planning effectively
  • Master the 3-step strategic planning methodology
  • Learn strategic planning success factors and best practices

Module 2: Strategic Plan Components and Template Orientation

  • Professional 4-section strategic plan structure and components
  • Strategic plan presentation and communication standards
  • Template customization for different organization types

Module 3: Strategic Planning Readiness and Setup 

  • Personal and organizational readiness assessment
  • Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
  • Template setup and information gathering for strategic planning

Module 4: Strategic Assessment - Where Are You Now? 

  • Complete SWOT analysis using an interactive digital tool
  • Strategic insights identification and priority setting
  • Distilling assessment findings into context for the strategic plan

Module 5: Values-Based Vision - Where Do You Want to Be?

  • Simple vision creation structure for epic strategy
  • Four essential vision elements: positioning, impact, business model, metrics
  • Creating aspirational destinations that motivate stakeholders

Module 6: Strategic Direction - How to Get There?

  • Bridge the gap between current reality and aspirational vision
  • Outline evolution over time with core strategies and strategic milestones
  • Build a strategic direction through storytelling

Module 7: Implementation Planning and Communication

  • 90-day quick start implementation planning
  • Stakeholder communication and strategic plan presentation
  • Strategic plan monitoring and review frameworks

Complete Strategic Planning Starter Toolkit
(6 Essential Tools + 1 Bonus)

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Core Strategic Planning Tools:

  • Strategic Planning Process Guide - 3-step methodology with implementation instructions
  • Strategic Plan Template (Starter Version) - Professional 4-section format (3.5-4 pages)
  • Strategic Planning Readiness Assessment - Personal/organizational readiness evaluation
  • Strategic Assessment Worksheet (SWOT Analysis Framework for Strategic Planning) - Digital SWOT tool with guided prompts and insights
  • Vision/Mission Development Workbook - Independent vision creation process and tools
  • Strategic Direction Setting Template - SMART goal framework with prioritization and timeline tools

BONUS COMMUNICATION PACKAGE
Communication Template Package - Stakeholder analysis, presentation template, and key messaging tools

Common Questions from Future Strategic Planners

I've never done strategic planning before. Is this too advanced?

This course is specifically designed for beginners. The 3-step process breaks strategic planning into manageable pieces, and the digital tools guide you through each step with prompts and examples.

Will this work for my type of organization?

Yes. The 3-step process and tools work across business, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial contexts. The strategic plan template is customizable for different organizations of varying sizes.

How is this different from business planning?

Business planning focuses on operations and tactics. Strategic planning creates long-range vision and direction. This course helps you think strategically about your future, not just plan your next year's operations.

What if I don't have time for long strategic planning processes?

This course requires only 60 minutes per week for approximately 3 weeks. Tools and templates save you time by providing structure and guidance rather than starting from scratch.

Will I really create a professional strategic plan?

Yes. You'll complete a 4-page professional strategic plan using our proven template. Many students use their plans for board presentations, investor meetings, and team alignment.

How does this connect to other Strategy Class programs?

This course provides the foundation for Strategic Planning Tools & Frameworks and prepares you for advanced Strategy Class programs. While not a requirement, Strategic Thinking Foundations is recommended before taking this course.

Why Should You Trust Strategy Class for Strategic Planning Education?

Strategy Class is founded on 25+ years of strategic planning expertise, guiding leadership teams across diverse sectors. Our courses adapt Fortune 500 strategic methodologies for leaders at every level, providing practical frameworks and professional tools you can apply immediately to real business challenges. Every framework is proven through decades of successful strategic planning implementations.

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Meet Cecilia Lynch, Strategic Planning Expert

Cecilia Lynch is a seasoned strategist, author, and the leading authority on strategic thinking. Ms. Lynch is the founder, CEO, and chief strategist at Focused Momentum LLC, creator of Strategy Class®.

Ms. Lynch was recognized early in her career for her unique approach to strategic leadership as an executive of the wildly successful brand Dockers®.

Now, after two decades of developing highly successful strategic plans for corporations and non-profits, she is making strategy development tools and techniques available to everyone with Strategy Class®.

Strategic Frameworks Taught in Strategy Class

Strategy Class courses teach proven strategic methodologies adapted from Fortune 500 strategic planning, management consulting frameworks, and 25+ years of successful strategic planning implementations.
  • SWOT Analysis
  • Strategic Questions Framework
  • Competitive Intelligence Methods
  • Strategic Decision-Making Tools
  • Market Positioning Frameworks
  • Stakeholder Analysis Methods
  • Vision & Mission Development
  • Strategic Goal Setting
  • Implementation Planning Systems
These frameworks represent the core strategic planning toolkit used by successful leaders across industries. Strategy Class makes them accessible, understandable, and immediately applicable to your leadership challenges.

Ready to Create Your First Strategic Plan?

Every day without a strategic plan is another day of unclear direction, missed opportunities, and unaligned efforts. The leaders who advance fastest are those who master strategic planning fundamentals and apply them consistently.