Strategic Planning
Since the late 1990’s, on a tip from several American evaluation colleagues, we have been writing funding grants in partnership with program managers. This makes a lot of sense because evaluators are known to develop clearer and more realistic program objectives (Weiss, 19987). Similarly, bringing-on an evaluator in writing strategic priority and direction statements is highly beneficial. Evaluators, and our team in particular, are highly experienced in observing the operation of a diverse and vast portfolio of program, services and interventions. We have completed high-level strategic business plans, such as the First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care (FNIHCC) 10 year Strategic Business Plan, 2013, as well a local agency, the Facilitation of the Strategic Business Plan for Anishnawbe Health Toronto, 2015. Another strategic plan — one that was close to our hearts because it was perfectly in line with our personal priorities — was Creating a Common Path: Hearing from Practitioners who serve First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children and youth and families, 2012.