Rolette Area Development Association and                DLN Consulting, Inc. Partner for Strategic Planning

Strategic planning is essential to create long-term direction for an organization.  DLN Consulting, Inc. worked with the Rolette Area Development Association (RADA), to help the members assess the success and mistakes of the past, their ability to sustain present projects, and plan a direction for the future.

RADA was founded to improve community and economic development in the city of Rolette, North Dakota.  Rolette is a very small, but progressive community, located in the center of Rolette County in the eastern part of north central North Dakota.  In the past five years, many of the original community betterment projects had been completed.  RADA hoped to sustain current projects, and assess new community needs.  The board members wisely understood the need for direction and effective goal setting, which comprises much of what a strategic plan covers.

Through self-assessment, the board members were able to identify several organizational strengths.  They were also able to recognize some external and internal challenges that needed to be addressed in order to move forward.  Once the organizational strengths and challenges were identified, DLN Consulting, Inc. was able to help RADA put their strengths to use to meet and reduce their challenges.

Through strategic planning, RADA identified three main focus areas in which to work through the end of 2011.  This five-year plan outlined the three main focus areas by stating the problem identification in each area, the goal statement that works to solve the problem, and identifying strategies to help solve the problem and meet the goal listed.

Specific activities and tasks for each goal will be determined by RADA in annual planning sessions.  DLN Consulting, Inc. tailored a plan that allowed RADA to identify challenges outside of their control and focus their resources on challenges that are within their ability to solve.  This comprehensive plan helped each member visualize RADA's mission, vision, structure, and priorities.  RADA has since distributed its Strategic Plan among stakeholders within the organization.