Does a strategic plan replace a LRIP?

No. Long-range interpretive planning and strategic planning are very different. The purpose each serves and the outcomes from each process are very different. And, when done properly, having both types of plans will help you more effectively manage and lead your program. If you haven’t done strategic planning with us before (even if you have done strategic planning), we strongly encourage you to watch this free, 15-minute lesson. It will add a lot of clarity about when to use different types of planning (and help you know what’s best for you now!).

Do you offer “strategic interpretive planning”?

Strictly speaking, there is no such thing as “strategic interpretive planning.” There’s interpretive planning (which is operational), and there’s strategic planning. You need both.

We specialize in strategic planning, including strategic planning for interpretive programs. We do not offer (classic) interpretive planning. We are really careful with our language because it’s easy to have different (and incorrect) expectations, especially for folks who are very familiar with interpretive planning and haven’t had the opportunity to do much strategic planning yet. To help explain, we need to share a bit about how we think of (and teach) strategic and interpretive planning. 

The purpose of strategic planning is to help the team get clear about the change that’s needed and create a plan to make that change happen. Whether or not you are an interpretive program, this high-level purpose is always the same. Some examples of the needed change addressed with a strategic plan are things like:

How might we…

• Reinvent our program to meet today’s demands and needs
• Reset our program to account for shifts in capacity and workload
• Increase visitor satisfaction and positive feedback
• Diversify audiences and/or visitors
• Diversify the workforce and develop pathways to employment
• Interpret and promote global issues, such as sustainability and climate change 
• Begin reparations and highlight Indigenous stories

Strategic plans can be thought of as a “map” to get you from the starting point through the change you want to create. They are typically short, 5-10 pages long, and are temporary plans, completing in 3-5 years.

Interpretive plans are a form of operational plans. All operational plan’s purpose is to guide ongoing operations. This is (or should be) the case for interpretive plans. Examples of the foundations defined by interpretive plans that guide ongoing operations are things like:

What are our expectations, requirements, or standards for:

• Site purpose and significance/values
• Interpretive themes (and related goals; for example, “we want people to learn X or understand Y”)
• Management expectations/requirements
• Visitor experience and profiles
• Personal and non-personal services
• Collection and archive SOPs
• Research parameters and needs
• Structure and staffing requirements
• Outreach and civic engagement/community engagement requirements

Operational plans/interpretive plans can be thought of as “instruction manuals.” They are typically long, 50-150 pages, and semi-permanent plans that last indefinitely and are only updated as changes are required. 

BOTH types of plans are needed, serve different but important roles, and should work together for the most effective management of the sites.

This is all to demonstrate that we teach that strategic planning and interpretive planning are different and briefly explains why, in our teaching and consulting, there is no such thing as “strategic interpretive plans.” 

1. There are strategic plans.
2. There are interpretive plans.

You should use strategy, strategic thinking, and strategic acumen to create BOTH types of plans. But that’s not what makes a strategic plan strategic. They are distinct based on the planning purpose and the resulting length and permanency of the plan.