MHA Relies on CSI for Strategic Planning in Challenging Times
We engaged Concept Systems to help us develop a strategic plan for Mental Health America - the nation's oldest and largest mental health advocacy organization. MHA embraces a public health perspective in our advocacy with the national office leading about 300 affiliates throughout the country. We therefore are a ‘big tent' organization which is often criticized for lacking a strong strategic focus. We also have literally hundreds of opinionated advocates with a stake in our work. Owing both to the technical sophistication of the Concept Mapping System and the skills and commitment of Concept Systems' outstanding staff, we completed an inclusive process that sought meaningful input from literally hundreds of stakeholders In this process we
- engaged the board and key external constituents in generating and organizing this information through a rigorous, transparent process,
- efficiently summarized this information through a series of graphical displays,
- utilized the board in interpreting the graphical material and developing an operating plan, and
- fielded a useful final product that the board enthusiastically endorsed.
Given the difficult economic times, we have been forced to make several difficult decisions regarding resource allocation that included staff reductions. The concept map and strategic plan have provided invaluable guidance as we addressed these concerns. In fact, one of our board members commented at a recent board meeting that she had never seen a strategic plan that provided such clear guidance in making these difficult and critically important decisions. The plan identified our core activities and helped us to decide on cutbacks and to communicate the rationale for our decisions to our heterogeneous field.
If you want an inclusive, interpretable and actionable strategic plan, I'd recommend Concept Systems without reservation.
David L. Shern, Ph.D.
President and C.E.O.
Mental Health America
