First, the strategic planning process may be a creative process that needs flexibility. It is a dynamic one and not a linear or static process. Participants can, and doubtless will, return and forth between the steps instead of proceeding through them linearly.
Second, it’s an iterative process, like “peeling the layers of an onion.” Frequently, strategic planning will involve a group of parallel, concurrent processes or steps.
Third, it is cyclical. Optimally, strategic planning is going to be institutionalized within the community in order that the vision and goals are revisited after a year or two and therefore the community can determine what strategies should be modified.