Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations: A Guide to Strengthening and Sustaining Organizational Achievement

by John M. Bryson

How can leaders use strategic planning to strengthen their public and nonprofit organizations? In this fourth edition of his perennial bestseller Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations, Bryson provides the most updated version of his thoughtful strategic planning model and outlines the reasons public and nonprofit organizations must embrace strategic planning to improve their performance. Introduced in the first edition and refined over the past 18 years, the Strategy Change Cycle--a proven planning process used successfully by a large number of nonprofit and public organizations--is the framework used to guide the reader through the strategic planning process. Bryson offers detailed guidance on implementing the process, and specific tools and techniques to make the process work in any organization. In addition, he clarifies the organizational designs through which strategic thought and action will be encouraged and embraced throughout an entire organization. In addition to updated examples, new cases, and additional information on boundaries, distinctive competencies, Actor-Network theory, Bryson will creat an instructor's manual with sample syllabi, PowerPoint teaching slides, and additional cases.

Genres: Business, Management, Nonfiction, Textbooks, Grad School, Leadership, Professional Development

547 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

John M. Bryson is McKnight Presidential Professor of Planning and Public Affairs at the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.

Reviews

[Cindy Breeding]

This is a thick book that includes a disc.

It's comprehensive and applicable for any kind of nonprofit. I bought it to get an idea about how my church should begin to build a strategic plan.

What's most cogent about this book is that it coaches nonprofit boards to back off of concrete plans. Instead, the book coaches you on how to stay flexible in an era of rapid change, and how to re-evaluate a strategic plan and adapt it so that your nonprofit is pursuing plans that are mission and vision oriented.

It's a big, meaty read. Go at it slowly.

[Sarah]

I wanted to give this 1 star as it was too long, not practical enough and a bit preachy. However, There were some useful tools, just way too much other stuff that got in the way...

I feel I have taken one for the team in ploughing through this!!

[Usama Albastaki]

Detailed book mixing between material that are common sense and material that translate strategic planning into rules and system. For me , I got lost in some details but of course as I own the book , I will always use it as reference.

[Michael]

A very thorough explanation of strategic planning which was helpful for me in my pursuit of continued growth in the field of education. The downfall of the book is that it reads like a series of to-do lists and lists of considerations. The strength of its organizational layout becomes its weakness. It takes an intentional effort to grind through the pages, but it is worth it to gain wisdom, techniques, and perspectives related to the topic.

[April Kersey]

2.5 stars It's done! I did it! I read every chapter in this book. Yes, there was some helpful information but my the author was quite obnoxious in the way that he qoutes greek and latin sayings almost to sound smarter. I don't need to waste my time reading your idea of a joke. I need to be informed. This book was way too long. Much of it was common sense. I wish my teacher had picked a book that was more straight forward and gave better examples for class.

[Disdukcapil Purwakarta]

hope

[Michael Belcher]

One of the few true "textbooks" for strategic planning. A "must read" for strategy scholars and practitioners alike.

[Christy]

I enjoyed the tactical approach to strategic planning and leadership. A textbook I will willingly refer to in the workforce!

[Claire]

This feels like defeating a dragon! One that I fell asleep over in battle several times. Good useful info to know that I will apply the hell out of but it was a slog.

[Nicole DeJoris]

Informative, great deal of information. Read this as a text for a graduate program.

[Noah]

Really helpful information but unreasonably verbose. Way too many lists and not visually interesting. It wasn't very accessible for neurodivergent people.

[Dominic Gutierrez]

the physical embodiment of a yawn

[Prabhakar]

Some of the frameworks are useful. Also, considering mandate for a Govt. department is important unlike corporates which are free to explore related areas.

[Prabhakar]

in the world driven by growth and profits, this book gives a different perspective about non profit and Govt. related strategic planning.

[femily]

Tons. (Thanks, Page!)

[Stephanie]

I have to read this for work. Yipee.

[Simon]

It was a tough read, but useful. More success stories would have been helpful to me. The author also taught me the class on Strategic Management.

[Shelley]

Dry, but good information.

[Prum Seila]

jgoogd

[Patty]

This is evidently the classic, foundational book on this topic. So the fact that it's deadly must indicate this is not for me. Either that or it's just poorly written.

[Christine Daskais]

too dry, bored me to death but informative

[Tiyas Nurmaliyah]

ok

[gatorlog]

Invest in distinctive competencies and distinctive assets that continue to be relevant. p.347.

[Tama]

baca

[Laode S]

good

[Fitri Andira]

I

[Adinda]

good