Key components of a broad-based, participatory planning process include:

​

• An environmental scan – organizational history, current reality, trends, force-field analysis, etc.

• Consensus on the organization’s practical vision / preferred future (3 - 5 years)

• Identification of advantages and barriers to attaining the preferred future

• Development of strategic directions

• Implementation steps – first year’s accomplishments, quarterly calendar, 90-day action plan

 

How much time does it take?

​

• Up-front prep work (research, document compilation, surveys, interviews, etc.) takes 10-15 hours of prep time for the facilitator and 1-2 hours for the participants

• Pre-meetings with client – usually two meetings of 2 hours each

• Design takes 1-2 hours per every hour of facilitation time

• Each facilitated session runs 2-4 hours

• Documentation takes approximately 1 hour for every hour of meeting time

• Post meeting with client – 2 hours

​

How much does it cost?

​

• Most prep work and pre/post-meetings are on an hourly rate (typically $100-$200 per hour)

• Design charges are usually included in the day rate

• Facilitation day rates run from $2500 to $2500 per day for six to eight hours of face time/day

• Survey charges including developing questions, getting them approved, posting the survey, and analyzing results are typically billed on an hourly basis ($75-$150 per hour)

• Interviews are typically billed on a per-person basis ($75-$100 each) and this includes the summary of comments

• Documentation services are usually $50-$75 per hour

• Materials are often included in the day rate or they are billed on a per-person basis at cost+10%

• On average, a strategic planning process costs $5,000 - $10,000

 

Why hire an outside facilitator?

​

• Keeps the group on track

• Provides a neutral perspective

• Takes the drudgery out of some tasks

• Holds the group accountable for its agreements, behavior, and procedures

• The group accomplishes more in less time

​