a disciplined effort to produce the basic decisions that shape and guide an organization and determine what it is, what it does, and why —note a strategic plan lays out organizational goals, examines the internal and external environment and influences that will affect these goals, and selects the most strategic objectives that will achieve the goals; progress toward the defined goals is continually monitored and adjustments are made as needed —see comprehensive planning, incremental planning This definition last updated 10/22/2008