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Strategy and programme design

Strategic plans and programme designs that are evidence-based, realistic and implementation-ready.

GRC supports organisations to develop strategies, programmes, theories of change and implementation roadmaps that connect vision with practical action. We combine evidence review, stakeholder consultation, facilitation and results-based planning.

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Strategic Planning & Programme Design service by GRC
Service overview

Turn evidence and stakeholder choices into an implementation-ready strategy.

A strong strategy is not only a document. It is a shared direction supported by evidence, institutional commitment, prioritised choices, clear results and feasible implementation arrangements. GRC helps clients move from broad aspirations to practical plans.

Our strategic planning and programme design work can include situation analysis, stakeholder mapping, organisational assessment, theory of change development, results framework design, risk analysis, sustainability planning, costing and validation workshops.

We support government institutions, civil society organisations, networks, academic units, NGOs and development programmes that need a credible, participatory and implementation-oriented planning process.

What this helps clients do

  • Distil contextual evidence and stakeholder perspectives into a focused set of strategic choices rather than an unprioritised activity list.
  • Connect objectives to a theory of change, indicators, responsibilities, risks and realistic resource considerations.
  • Produce strategy and programme documents that leadership can use for annual planning, performance review and adaptation.
Our approach

A participatory planning process that forces choices and prepares implementation.

The process moves from diagnosis to prioritisation, results logic, implementation arrangements and validation rather than treating strategy as a writing exercise.

01

Prepare the evidence base

We review documents, performance data, context, stakeholder perspectives and institutional constraints.

02

Facilitate strategic choices

We guide leadership and stakeholders to identify priorities, make trade-offs and agree on realistic directions.

03

Develop theory of change and results

We articulate pathways of change, assumptions, risks, outcomes, indicators and implementation logic.

04

Prepare implementation architecture

We develop action plans, responsibility matrices, timelines, MEL arrangements and resource considerations.

05

Validate and finalise

We facilitate review, refine the document and prepare a clear final strategy or programme design package.

Methods and tools

Methods may include

Situation analysis Stakeholder consultation SWOT and PESTLE analysis Theory of change facilitation Results-framework design Risk and assumptions analysis Workshop facilitation Implementation planning MEL framework design Validation
Typical deliverables

Outputs clients can use

Situation analysis report Stakeholder consultation summary Strategic plan Programme design document Theory of change Results framework Implementation matrix MEL framework Workshop report
Strategy in practice

A strategic plan should connect institutional ambition with choices, responsibilities and measurable results.

GRC combines institutional diagnosis, stakeholder consultation and facilitated priority setting with practical implementation architecture. The aim is a strategy that leadership can govern, staff can implement and partners can monitor—not simply a document for approval.

Questions we help clients answer

Focus the assignment on decisions that matter

  • What has changed in the organisation’s operating environment and what does that imply for priorities?
  • Which strategic choices are realistic given mandate, resources, partnerships and institutional capacity?
  • How will objectives translate into results, indicators, responsibilities, timelines and resource requirements?
  • What review and learning mechanisms will keep the strategy relevant during implementation?
Related insights: Strategic Planning for NGOs and CSOs in Ethiopia How to Develop a Practical Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
Questions clients ask

Frequently asked questions.

Can GRC facilitate strategic planning workshops?

Yes. We can design and facilitate participatory workshops that help organisations define priorities, results and implementation pathways.

Can the strategic plan include a MEL framework?

Yes. We recommend including results, indicators, baselines where available, targets, responsibilities and review mechanisms.

Can GRC develop programme proposals or concept notes?

Yes. We can support programme design, theory of change development, logical frameworks, narrative design and implementation planning.

Request support

Need strategic planning & programme design support?

Share your terms of reference, concept note or a short description of the assignment. GRC will help you clarify the scope, methodology, work plan and deliverables.

Request a Proposal