A solid strategic planning software provider will enable teams to track and match projects to company goals. Choosing the right platform will also enable teams to determine their own priorities while being held accountable for their contributions to the overall goals of the company.
A flexible platform enables better collaboration and a more cohesive strategy that can be adjusted to changing business requirements. The best strategic software provides easy access to reports, data and a mobile application which allows users to manage project plans from any location at any time.
Check that the strategic planning software can produce stunning and dynamic reports for meetings and other stakeholders. You should look for features like the ability to present an overview of the department’s objectives and measures and drill down to specifics for more detailed information. Look for the ability to create templates or custom terminology for the different elements of strategic planning and execution. Additionally, consider whether the tool will support your preferred strategy management framework such as the balanced scorecard (BSC), OKRs, Six Sigma, or Management by Objectives.
Be cautious about using software for strategic planning that is focused on one-off activities that are completed only at the beginning of the process, like SWOT analysis and cascading action plans. These kinds of tools could be useful in the workflow of your business, but they won’t be the most effective method to take advantage of the cloud to aid in strategic planning.