Strategic plan template: your whole plan on one page
A simple strategic plan template that takes you from purpose and vision to pillars, goals and the key actions for this quarter. Use it for an annual plan or a 3-year strategic plan, for a business or a nonprofit.
The eight parts of a strategic plan
Our template works top down. Each level explains the one below it, so anyone can trace a key action back to your purpose.
Purpose
Why your organisation exists, beyond making money. It rarely changes.
Vision
Where you are heading over the next few years. A clear picture of success.
Mission
What you do, and for whom, to move towards the vision.
Values
How you behave while you do it. Keep them short and specific.
Strategic pillars
Three to five areas of focus where you must succeed to reach the vision.
Goals
Measurable goals under each pillar, each with one owner, a due date and a red, amber or green status.
Key actions
The specific actions for this quarter that move each goal forward.
Annual strategy and 3-year ambition
This year's focus, set inside a plan that looks up to three years out.
How to fill in the template
Work through it with your leadership team. Don't aim for perfect on the first pass. The first draft exists to be argued with.
- 1
Start with the foundations
Write or confirm your purpose, vision, mission and values. If these already exist, check they still hold rather than starting again.
- 2
Set a 3-year ambition and this year's strategy
Describe where you want to be in three years, then the one or two sentences that explain how this year gets you closer.
- 3
Choose three to five strategic pillars
Brainstorm broadly, then cluster and cut. Each pillar should be distinct and able to hold several years of goals.
- 4
Write goals under each pillar
One to three measurable goals per pillar. Give each a single owner and a due date. Shared ownership usually means no ownership.
- 5
Break goals into key actions
For this quarter, list the actions that move each goal. Each action gets an owner and a date.
- 6
Agree how you will review it
Decide which existing meetings will review the plan. Use red, amber and green status so the conversation goes straight to what needs a decision.
Strategic plan examples
These are illustrative examples of how a pillar, a goal and a key action connect. They are not from a real organisation. Use them to check your own plan reads the same way.
Pillar
Customer experience
Goal
Reduce response time to client enquiries to one business day
Key action
Set up a shared enquiries inbox with a named owner each week
Pillar
Our people
Goal
Every manager holds a monthly one-to-one with each team member
Key action
Agree a simple one-to-one agenda and share it with managers
Pillar
Sustainable growth
Goal
Launch one new service line by the end of the financial year
Key action
Test the service with three existing clients this quarter
Want to go deeper? Read our guides to strategy on a page, strategic pillars and RAG status and strategy execution.
From template to a live plan
A template gets the plan written. LeaderKit keeps it moving. The same structure becomes a live plan where every goal has an owner, a due date and a status, ready to review in your existing meetings. Try it free for 14 days.
Strategic plan template FAQs
What should a strategic plan include?
A good strategic plan includes your purpose, vision, mission and values, three to five strategic pillars, measurable goals under each pillar, and the key actions for the current quarter. Every goal should have one owner, a due date and a status.
Can a strategic plan fit on one page?
Yes, and we think it should. If the plan cannot fit on one page, your team will struggle to remember it. Supporting detail can live elsewhere, but the core plan should be readable at a glance.
How do I write a 3-year strategic plan?
Set a 3-year ambition first, then choose the pillars that will get you there. Write long-term goals that cover the three years, and short-term goals and actions for this year and quarter. Review the pillars yearly and the goals quarterly.
Does this template work for nonprofits?
Yes. The structure is the same for nonprofits and for-profit organisations. Nonprofits often weight purpose and mission more heavily and report progress to a board, which this structure supports.
Is there a Word or Excel version?
We are preparing the template as a fillable PDF and an Excel workbook. Email hello@leaderkit.com and we will let you know when it is available.
How is LeaderKit different from a template?
A template is a good start, but it is a static document. In LeaderKit the same structure becomes a live plan, with owners, due dates and status your leadership team reviews in its regular meetings.