Which sequence describes a simple strategic planning process for a school sport program?

• A. Define mission and goals; assess internal and external environments (SWOT); develop strategies; implement plan; monitor with KPIs; review and adjust.
• B. Execute plan; define goals; monitor KPIs; assess environment; revise plan
• C. Budgeting; staffing; promotion; evaluation
• D. Design; development; deployment; dissolution

Answer: (A)

Starting with a clear mission and goals sets the purpose for the school sport program and provides a target to aim for. From there, assessing both internal factors (like coaches, facilities, student interest) and external factors (community support, policies, competing programs) helps you see opportunities and risks. This situational view guides the development of strategies that align with the mission and address the identified strengths and gaps. Once strategies are ready, you implement the plan and begin delivering the program. To know whether you’re making progress, you monitor progress with key performance indicators such as participation numbers, retention rates, budget adherence, and facility use. Finally, you review the results and adjust the plan based on what the data shows, creating a loop of ongoing improvement.

Other sequences falter because they skip essential planning steps or jump into action before goals and analysis are clear, or they focus only on basic functions without feedback and adaptation, or they describe a one-way lifecycle that ends in dissolution rather than continuous development.