System change through transformation of strategic vision to strategic planning

Good ideas fail automatically. In a competitive environment and with limited resources, political parties need robust strategies to maximise their chances to win. In every day’s working routines, there is often a high focus on action and reaction — and little to no direction due to an unclear or non-existent strategy - Strategic Planning for Political Parties Abstract, Friedrich Naumann Foundation (https://www freiheit.org/sites/default/files/2022-05/11_abstract_strategic-planning-2022.pdf)

- By Raj Gonsalkorale

AS the Friedrich Naumann Foundation says “strategic planning is a key competence for political parties and their leadership personnel while in government or in Opposition. Strategy development cannot be delegated or outsourced. Nor can single strategy elements be copied from other successful political players. Own competences in strategic planning are needed, and political leaders will have to come up with the processes, tools and concepts to develop their own unique strategies. When in government, political parties are often forced to focus on short-term crises to the disadvantage of the mediumand long-term development of their strategies. However, good governance will not sacrifice long term objectives for short term gain”.

The absence of strategic plans contributes to this situation as specific medium to longer term plans lose their focus within the government and within the public domain. It is felt by many that the current Government in Sri Lanka could do with more clear and precise strategy development and incorporating them in strategic plans, as what appears to be happening are ad hoc activities directed towards short-term crises.

Elections are hopefully over for the rest of 2025. The six-month-old NPP Government can and should now present a comprehensive strategic plan for the rest of their term and give the public a clear pathway as to what they will strive to achieve in the next five years. Ideally, it should be based on their political vision contained in the election manifesto presented for the Presidential election and any subsequently identified priorities. Such a plan would help to avoid feeding a gathering public momentum about unkept promises and help the Government to work and deliver according to its own strategic plan. It needs to be noted that presenting a well-crafted and delivered long-term vision in a speech alone is insufficient and such a vision has to be reflected in a strategic plan.