Strategy & Planning
Determine which strategies and plans will work for you to drive the results you need.
Qatalyst helps governments, non-profits, investment funds and businesses build organizational, program, sector and regional strategies, improve program design and delivery, and measure the results. Its work combines research, stakeholder engagement and action planning, with over 400 strategy-related projects completed, including the strategic plan that followed its evaluation of the First Nations Health Authority.
How we strengthen your programming
Strategy
- Needs assessment
- Environmental scans
- Strategy development
- Funding and financing structures
Design
- Organizational and process design
- Theory of change (logic models)
- Impact frameworks
- Risk assessment and management
- Investment screening and due diligence
- Ex-ante and ex-poste analyses
Execution
- Framework, metrics and tools
- Impact measurement system
- IMM training and education
- Change management
- Database and software development
Tracking and Reporting
- Impact assessment and verification
- Benchmarking
- Evaluation
- Analysis of opportunities for improvement
- Reporting and feedback loops
Strategy
- Needs assessment
- Environmental scans
- Strategy development
- Funding and financing structures
Design
- Organizational and process design
- Theory of change (logic models)
- Impact frameworks
- Risk assessment and management
- Investment screening and due diligence
- Ex-ante and ex-poste analyses
Execution
- Framework, metrics and tools
- Impact measurement system
- IMM training and education
- Change management
- Database and software development
Tracking and Reporting
- Impact assessment and verification
- Benchmarking
- Evaluation
- Analysis of opportunities for improvement
- Reporting and feedback loops
Our Service
We have conducted over 400 strategy-related projects including organizational strategies, program strategies, regional or sector development strategies, crime reduction strategies, climate change mitigation strategies, labour market strategies and many others. Our approach to strategy development commonly focuses on three key elements:
- Analysis: Clear and accurate definition of high priority issues and challenges, the assets and other strengths upon which to build, and potential directions and opportunities that can be pursued. The diagnosis sorts through the noise by analyzing current conditions and providing a realistic assessment of potential directions.
- Direction: Specifies the strategic framework for responding to issues outlined. The Framework may include a vision, mission, and set of organizational objectives and strategic directions or pillars and is developed through an interactive process which balances the vision and mission with the feasibility of potential strategic directions. The direction outlines the direction forward but does not define the details of the trip.
- Action: Defines the specific tactics and actions that will be undertaken, outlining responsibilities, timing, and resource requirements.
Our Approach
We commonly employ a “research, engage, develop and finalize” approach. We conduct secondary research leading to a situational analysis, followed by an extensive engagement process which enables us to dig deeper and prioritize key issues and gaps to be addressed. In the final phase, we work with the management, board, program staff or steering committee to develop a draft strategy which is then to be reviewed by stakeholders before it is finalized and published.
Clients include
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a strategic plan and an operational plan?
A strategic plan sets an organization's direction over several years through its vision, mission, goals and priorities. An operational plan turns that direction into specific actions, with responsibilities, timing and resources, usually for a year or less. Qatalyst's strategy work covers both: analysis of priority issues and strengths, a strategic framework that sets direction, and an action plan that defines who does what, when and with what resources.
What are the steps in a strategic planning process?
Most strategic planning processes move from research to engagement to drafting and approval. Qatalyst commonly uses a research, engage, develop and finalize approach. It starts with secondary research and a situational analysis, then runs an engagement process to test and prioritize key issues and gaps. It then works with management, the board, staff or a steering committee on a draft strategy, which stakeholders review before it is finalized and published.
What is a needs assessment?
A needs assessment identifies the gap between a community's or organization's current situation and where it needs to be, so that programs and funding target the right problems. It usually draws on existing data, surveys, interviews and consultation with the people affected. Qatalyst conducts needs assessments and environmental scans as the first stage of strategy work, before moving on to strategy development and program design.
How can evaluation results feed into a new strategy?
Evaluation results give a strategy an evidence base by showing what worked, what did not and where capacity is weak. After Qatalyst evaluated the First Nations Health Authority's first years of operation, the findings fed directly into its next five-year strategic plan, whose pillars and actions reflected the evaluation's key issues. Qatalyst then helped build a performance measurement framework to track the plan's results. Read the FNHA case study.
What kinds of strategies does Qatalyst prepare?
Qatalyst prepares organizational, program, regional and sector development, labour market, crime reduction and climate change mitigation strategies, among others. It has conducted over 400 strategy-related projects for governments, non-profits, investment funds and the private sector. Related work includes theories of change, funding and financing structures, risk assessment, investment screening and due diligence, and change management.
Impact Stories
We have been providing management consulting services to clients in the government, public, non-profit and private sectors across Canada for more than 30 years.
How Can We Help?
Tell us about your investments, programs or activities, or send us a request for proposal (RFP). We will let you know how our services can work for you and provide you with a quote.
Contact Us