Why Nonprofit Strategy Execution Fails (and How to Fix It)

You’ve invested time, energy, and resources into crafting a nonprofit strategic plan. The vision is clear, the goals are ambitious, and the future looks bright.

But too often, these carefully laid plans die of neglect.

Why do nonprofit strategy executions fail so frequently? How can you ensure your organization’s plan doesn’t?

Having recently guided a nonprofit CEO and board through their strategic planning process, I prepared this warning list for them —and you. Even better, I recommend solutions at the end.

Why Does Nonprofit Strategy Execution Fail?

The Execution Gap: Common Culprits and Challenges

1. Lack of Skills

The assigned person or task force lacks the skills or knowledge to execute the plan and doesn’t know how to obtain the needed skills. They might assume they “should” understand it and that something is lacking in them. Or, they may think the idea is a bad one and hope it will go away.

2. Overly Ambitious Goals and Resource Constraints

Embracing the strategy wanes in the face of reality. The work is enormous or more complex than expected. The ideas weren’t ambitious; they were “pie in the sky,” not “feet on the ground.”

“It’s too hard,” everyone moans.

3. Planned to Death

Too much preparation: too few actions. The strategic planning process became so cumbersome that it killed the enthusiasm, innovation, and energy the strategy development process generated.

4. Too Many Priorities

Most nonprofits can focus on one or two strategic priorities. When Bob Iger took over Disney, he was advised to pick three priorities.

If you’re like most (all?) nonprofits, you probably lack Disney’s resources. When we have too many top priorities, we keep switching to the other priority whenever we reach a tough spot.

5. Distractions Triumphed

Every nonprofit has more to do than hours in a day. When the strategy is seen as a nice extra, strategies fail. And if the strategy fails to indicate what you won’t do–that you are doing now–you might be doomed.

6. Lack of Clarity

The plan states that staff will “enlist new supporters.”

It doesn’t outline

• Where will they be found?
• How will they be engaged?
• The staff who will do the enlisting, etc.

The 30,000-foot strategy is clear, but specifics weren’t developed.

Tactics for Successful Nonprofit Strategy Execution: Keep Your Nonprofit Strategy Execution from Failing 

Given these potential challenges, how can you ensure the success of your nonprofit’s strategic plan? Use these solutions:

1. Include Learning and Skill Building

Assume everyone needs new skills. Don’t forget staff, board members, and volunteers. Outline specifics they will read, watch, attend, and so forth.

2. Keep a Far-out Perspective

Pace yourselves. Remember, your strategy and strategic plan are designed to serve you for the long term. Anticipate that the outcomes will take time. Progress might even remain invisible initially.

Identify and celebrate small wins.

• How are you thinking differently?
• How long has it been since you implemented a tactic?

Moving a nonprofit organization isn’t as hard as moving mountains a spoonful at a time, but it’s likely that, at first, you’ll only have a ladle, not a bulldozer.  Some of the best strategic plans take a lifetime to come to full fruition, but the journey is worthwhile.

3. Act Soon

Create pilots or quick actions to test the water. What is the quickest act you can take to make progress? Procrastination burns energy.

4. Focus

A realistic strategic plan identifies one, maybe two, strategic priorities.  Do less to achieve more.

5. Repeat the Goal, Repeat the Goal, Repeat the Goal, and Repeat it Again

Leaders reiterate these musts to the community. Despite the clatter, disturbance, or mayhem, leaders steer to priorities. It’s a bit like teaching four-year-olds. You keep sharing the goal until people tell you the goal.

Don’t let your strategic plan gather dust on a shelf. Take the first step towards successful execution by assessing your organization’s readiness and identifying potential roadblocks. I’m here to help you navigate this journey. Or, if you need an assessment of what’s going on, reach out. Schedule a mini-consultation to discuss your challenges and develop a tailored execution strategy. Click here to set a time to chat.