How to Be Strategic Planning Generalist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

May 29, 2022 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The implementation of a strategic planning generalist can have a substantial impact on an organization. This type of specialist plays an essential role in the development and implementation of a company's strategic goals and objectives. By helping to develop and analyze long-term strategies and plans, a strategic planning generalist can provide invaluable insights into the organization's future direction, leading to improved decision-making, increased efficiency, and greater success.

the existence of this type of expert can also lead to higher levels of employee engagement, as well as improved customer satisfaction. All of these outcomes can have a positive effect on the overall productivity and profitability of an organization.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. To become a strategic planning generalist, individuals must possess at least a bachelor's degree in a related field such as business, economics, or public policy. A master's degree may be preferred by some employers.
Gain Work Experience. Strategic planning generalists should have at least three years of work experience in a related field such as management, financial analysis, or market research. This experience should include an understanding of organizational dynamics and an ability to evaluate data and make decisions based on analysis.
Develop Management and Leadership Skills. Strategic planning generalists must have strong leadership and management skills. They need to be able to manage projects, delegate tasks, and motivate people while staying on track with the organization's overall objectives.
Become Familiar With Strategic Planning Processes. A strategic planning generalist should have an in-depth knowledge of the processes involved in strategic planning, such as market research, financial analysis, and project management. They should also have a thorough understanding of the tools used in strategic planning, including spreadsheets and software programs.
Obtain Certification. Becoming certified in strategic planning can help demonstrate an individual's qualifications as a strategic planning generalist. Certification is available from several organizations, including the American Management Association and the Association for Strategic Planning.

The increasing availability of technology in the workplace has had a major effect on the level of strategic planning required by businesses. As technology becomes more sophisticated and readily available, businesses need to develop more strategic plans to ensure they are staying competitive. This can be a difficult task for many companies as it requires the expertise of experienced strategic planning generalists who are capable and reliable in their roles.

Strategic planning generalists must be able to effectively identify and analyze business opportunities and challenges, develop strategies that address those challenges, and then implement and evaluate those strategies over time. In addition, they must be able to communicate their plans to other key stakeholders in the organization, including senior management and board members. By utilizing the expertise of strategic planning generalists, companies can ensure that their strategic plans are successful and that their long-term goals are achieved.

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Job Description

Develop and implement strategic plans that align with the organizations overall mission and objectives.
Analyze current programs, policies and procedures to identify areas of improvement and to ensure alignment with the organizations core values and goals.
Establish effective communication between stakeholders and develop solutions to ensure successful implementation of plans.
Research and analyze data related to the organizations strategic planning efforts.
Develop reporting methods and metrics to measure progress toward organizational goals.
Monitor, evaluate and adjust strategic plans as needed to ensure that goals are being achieved.
Manage projects related to strategic planning and ensure progress is being made toward objectives.
Serve as a liaison between departments in order to facilitate the development of effective strategies.
Facilitate meetings with stakeholders to discuss strategy development, implementation and evaluation.
Manage budget for strategic planning initiatives and ensure resources are used efficiently and effectively.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Analytical Thinking
Strategic Vision
Business Acumen
Market Analysis
Financial Analysis
Project Management
Problem Solving
Decision Making
Communication Skills
Leadership
Negotiation Skills
Presentation Skills
Team Building
Change Management
Process Improvement
Risk Management
Resource Allocation
Performance Metrics
Relationship Building
Creative Thinking

Strategic planning is a critical skill for any organization to have. Successful strategic planning requires an understanding of the environment in which the organization operates, a comprehensive knowledge of the organization's strengths and weaknesses, and an ability to think critically and proactively. A Strategic Planning Generalist must possess a range of skills to succeed in this role, including strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, excellent communication and collaboration skills, and a strategic mindset.

they must be able to develop and implement long-term plans that can help the organization reach its goals. By having a Strategic Planning Generalist on board, organizations can benefit from the expertise they bring to the table and ensure that their strategic plans are well-thought-out and appropriate for their objectives. this can help the organization maximize its potential and improve its performance.

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Frequent Interview Questions

How would you define a successful strategic plan?
What strategies have you implemented to ensure organizational alignment with a strategic plan?
How have you used data to inform your decision-making when developing a strategic plan?
Describe a time when you had to make difficult decisions in order to meet the goals of a strategic plan.
What processes have you developed to ensure successful execution of a strategic plan?
How do you ensure that strategic planning is inclusive of different perspectives and ideas?
What strategies do you use to identify and mitigate risks associated with strategic planning?
How do you stay up-to-date on the latest trends in strategic planning?
Describe a situation where you had to modify a strategic plan due to external forces.
What methods do you use to measure the success and effectiveness of a strategic plan?

Common Tools in Industry

SCOPE Strategic Planning Software. This software helps organizations create and manage strategic plans. It provides tools to create objectives, strategies, and initiatives, track progress, and monitor performance. (Eg: SCOPE Strategic Planning Software is used by Coca-Cola to help them create and manage their long-term growth strategies. )
Mind Mapping Software. This software allows users to visually organize and prioritize ideas, projects, initiatives, and tasks. It helps businesses develop strategies and plans more quickly and efficiently. (Eg: Trello is a popular mind mapping software that is used by many companies to organize their ideas and tasks. )
SWOT Analysis Software. This software helps organizations identify their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It can be used to assess current strategies and develop new ones. (Eg: Microsoft Excel is a popular SWOT analysis tool used by many organizations to identify and evaluate their competitive position. )
Balanced Scorecard Software. This software helps organizations measure performance against strategic goals. It allows users to track metrics such as financial performance, customer satisfaction, and employee engagement. (Eg: SAP BusinessObjects is a balanced scorecard software used by large enterprises to measure their performance against objectives. )
Project Management Software. This software helps organizations plan, execute, and track projects. It provides tools to assign tasks, manage resources, track progress, and measure results. (Eg: Asana is a popular project management software used by many teams to manage their projects more effectively. )

Professional Organizations to Know

International Association for Strategic Planning (IASP)
Project Management Institute (PMI)
Association for Strategic Planning (ASP)
American Planning Association (APA)
International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA)
Association of International Product Marketing & Management (AIPMM)
Strategic Planning Society (SPS)
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Financial Executives International (FEI)
World Future Society (WFS)

We also have Marketing Generalist, Retail Operations Generalist, and Accounting Generalist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

SWOT Analysis. A strategic planning tool used to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of a particular organization or project.
PEST Analysis. A strategic planning tool used to evaluate the Political, Economic, Social, and Technological factors that may influence a particular organization or project.
Balanced Scorecard. A performance management tool used to measure and track the progress of an organization's strategy.
Strategic Objectives. Specific goals and objectives that a company sets out to achieve. These are usually long-term and can span multiple departments or functions.
Strategic Performance Measurement. The process of measuring the progress of an organization towards its strategic objectives. This is usually done through the use of metrics and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators).
Business Model Canvas. A strategic planning tool used to map out a company's core business processes, customer needs, value propositions, and revenue streams.
Value Chain Analysis. A strategic planning tool used to analyze the steps involved in providing a product or service from start to finish. This helps identify areas for improvement and cost savings.
Stakeholder Analysis. The process of assessing the needs and interests of key stakeholders in order to ensure that their needs are met in an organization's strategic planning process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Strategic Planning Generalist?

A Strategic Planning Generalist is a professional who specializes in the development and implementation of strategic plans and initiatives. They are responsible for managing projects, forecasting, analyzing data, developing plans, and providing guidance and support to various stakeholders.

What skills are needed to be a successful Strategic Planning Generalist?

A successful Strategic Planning Generalist should have excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, along with strong communication and organizational abilities. They should also be able to work well under pressure and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

What type of degree is required to become a Strategic Planning Generalist?

A degree in business administration, public administration or a related field is recommended for those looking to become a Strategic Planning Generalist. However, experience in the field and additional certifications may be beneficial as well.

How much does a Strategic Planning Generalist typically earn?

According to PayScale, the average salary for a Strategic Planning Generalist is $53,400 per year. Salaries can range from $44,000 to $63,000 or higher depending on experience, education and other factors.

What are some of the common duties of a Strategic Planning Generalist?

Common duties of a Strategic Planning Generalist include creating and implementing strategic plans, analyzing data and trends, forecasting, developing goals and objectives, gathering stakeholder feedback, managing projects and providing guidance and support to stakeholders.

Web Resources

Strategic Planning Office of Strategic Consulting UWMadison strategicconsulting.wisc.edu
7 Essential Steps in Strategic Planning - Western Governors www.wgu.edu
Strategic Plan Implementation - Institutional Effectiveness, Strategic Pl www.umaryland.edu