Drivers for Change – Think Strategically
Equity Framework > Drivers for Change > Think Strategically
Strategic thinking is a continuous and cyclical process of reflecting, planning, and implementation. It has no start or end. It involves:
- assessing the environment and community needs,
- involving community in forecasting changes,
- and creating opportunities to amplify impact.
Equity-focused strategic thinking is about working with the community most impacted by an issue in understanding current and emerging trends. It includes understanding how these trends impact communities or organizations. This process involves community in determining a course of action by weighing options and using creative approaches to address challenges.
Adapted from:
- Strategies for Social Change’s Toolkit: Building a Strategic Thinking Organization. Retrieved from:
https://www.strategiesforsocialchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/SSC-Toolkit2-FINAL-Email-11.20.15.pdf
Further Reading / Additional resources:
Develop Strategic Thinkers Throughout Your Organization. Retrieved from:
https://hbr.org/2014/02/develop-strategic-thinkers-throughout-your-organization
Sample Tools:
City of Ottawa and City for All Women Initiative. 2015. Equity and Inclusion Lens Handbook. Ottawa, ON: CAWI
See section on “Strategic Planning” (p.40) for a set of questions to embed equity and inclusion in strategic planning.https://www.cawi-ivtf.org/publication/equity-and-inclusion-lens-handbook-2018/