Your Annual Plan Won't Work If It's A List of Activities (And What To Do Instead)

Are you starting next year with a plan or just a list of to-dos? In this episode, I break down why focusing on outcomes—not just activities—can transform your organization’s strategy and impact. Too often, nonprofit leaders get stuck in activity-based planning that leaves them overwhelmed and disconnected from their mission. But when you center your plans around concrete outcomes, everything changes. I’ll explain the power of outcomes-based planning and how it brings focus, prioritizes resources, and provides clear ways to track progress. If you want your team to feel aligned, purposeful, and effective next year, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why outcomes-based planning provides clarity and focus for your team.
• How focusing on results helps prioritize resources like time and money.
• The role of outcomes in tracking progress and adapting strategies as needed.

Key Takeaways:

1. Outcomes give direction. They shift you from a scattered to-do list to a meaningful plan.
2. Resources are optimized. You invest in what truly matters, avoiding wasted effort.
3. Outcomes enable accountability. Clear results allow you to measure progress and pivot when necessary.

Step-by-Step Process:

Here’s how to shift to outcomes-based planning:

1. Start with the End Result: Ask, “Where do we want to be in a year?” Define clear, concrete outcomes that align with your mission.
2. Work Backwards to Identify Activities: Once the outcomes are clear, determine the activities required to achieve them.
3. Align Resources to Priorities: Evaluate where to invest your time, money, and energy based on which activities deliver the greatest impact.
4. Track and Adjust: Monitor progress towards your outcomes and be ready to pivot if certain activities aren’t delivering results.

Want to work together?

Apply for the Next Level Nonprofit Accelerator, a high-touch coaching and training accelerator for established organizations that want a smart, powerful playbook for taking their growing organization to the next level.

Join The Collective, a community of practice for nonprofit leaders who want to build and strengthen the organizational pillars that drive growth!

Connect with me!

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• YouTube