- \n
- What is Strategic Planning?<\/a><\/li>\n
- What Should You Look for in Strategy Software?<\/a><\/li>\n
- The 10 Best Strategic Planning Software Tools to Use in 2024<\/a>\n
- \n
- 1. ClickUp<\/a><\/li>\n
- 2. AchieveIt<\/a><\/li>\n
- 3. Elate<\/a><\/li>\n
- 4. ChartHop<\/a><\/li>\n
- 5. Lucidspark<\/a><\/li>\n
- 6. Empiraa<\/a><\/li>\n
- 7. Hive<\/a><\/li>\n
- 8. Envisio<\/a><\/li>\n
- 9. ClearPoint Strategy<\/a><\/li>\n
- 10. Peoplebox<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
What is Strategic Planning?<\/h2>\n
A strategic planning process involves outlining the vision for your organization\u2019s future along with the direction everyone needs to take to get there. The ultimate goal is a formal strategic plan that lets everyone know exactly what they\u2019re working toward.<\/p>\n
Every industry and organization approaches planning and progress tracking in different ways. But strategic planning always includes a few core components.<\/p>\n
To start, you need a future vision. That\u2019s exactly where leadership sees your organization end up in the future, and it helps stakeholders visualize progress over time.<\/p>\n
Then you need to identify the more specific goals that the organization needs to accomplish on the way to fulfilling the vision. They\u2019re still high-level, overarching goals that everyone uses to prioritize their work<\/u><\/a>, track performance, and daily tasks.<\/p>\n
Finally, you need a plan of action, the approach you\u2019ll take to accomplish your strategic plan. This final step can become complex as it reaches into the day-to-day tactical plans of every organizational unit.<\/p>\n
What Should You Look for in Strategy Software?<\/h2>\n
When going through our list of the best strategic planning software below, you\u2019ll quickly notice just how different they are in their attempts to help you plan more effectively and strategically. Every complete solution you research, however, should include at least a few core strategic planning features on one centralized dashboard:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Organization: <\/strong>Data visualization capabilities and tools to organize complex timelines, using tools such as Gantt charts<\/u><\/a> or flowcharts<\/u><\/a><\/li>\n
- Flexibility: <\/strong>More free-flowing dashboards and interfaces, such as whiteboard templates, that enable brainstorming and creative thought early in the process<\/li>\n
- Customization: <\/strong>Customizable features that allow you to make the software work for your strategic planning process and track progress<\/li>\n
- Agility: <\/strong>The ability to adjust on the fly is necessary, keeping potential contingency plans<\/u><\/a> in mind<\/li>\n
- Team-focused: <\/strong>Collaboration tools that allow more than one user to contribute to the project, especially in virtual environments where the strategy planning team may be distributed remotely<\/li>\n
- Integration: <\/strong>Integration options with other tools, including those you use for project execution<\/u><\/a> or secondary plans, such as product roadmaps<\/u><\/a>; this sets the stage for a complete product management solution<\/li>\n
- Reporting: <\/strong>Customized performance reports to help monitor key performance indicators and optimize resource management throughout all of your strategic initiatives<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Not every tool you find will be equally strong in these features and benefits. The key, then, is finding strategic planning software that matches your<\/em> specific business game plan, situation, and environment.<\/p>\n
The 10 Best Strategic Planning Software Tools to Use<\/h2>\n
It\u2019s tough to make an argument for anything other than strategic planning to be the most important process in your organization. Tactics without the strategy behind them likely won\u2019t succeed. These tools can simplify creating that strategy and streamline the process<\/a> for everyone involved.<\/p>\n
1. ClickUp<\/a><\/h3>\n
\n![\"ClickUp](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/image2.gif\")
See the 15+ views in ClickUp to customize your workflow to your needs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n ClickUp is the perfect strategic planning software for any organization. It provides a comprehensive suite of tools to help teams organize plans, prioritize tasks, and manage projects. Plus, its visual strategic planning templates<\/a> give project managers a jumpstart in the creation process.<\/p>\n
And if you\u2019re looking for a complete product management solution, ClickUp integrates with thousands of other work apps to streamline portfolio management into one central hub!<\/p>\n
ClickUp best features<\/h4>\n
- \n
- A huge library of templates, including Gantt charts, visual timelines, whiteboards, board views, and ClickUp\u2019s Strategic Roadmap Template<\/a>!<\/li>\n
- ClickUp Goals<\/u><\/a> feature that allows you to turn your organizational vision into measurable and intuitive goals you can track and work on directly in the software<\/li>\n
- Interactive Dashboards that allow key users to view organizational analytics and adjust their strategic plans<\/li>\n
- A visual and user-friendly interface that works largely on dropdowns and drag-and-drop, enabling anyone involved in the planning to contribute<\/li>\n
- Integrated document management that can house the outcome of the strategic planning process\u2014the written plan\u2014in a centralized and easily accessible space<\/li>\n
- Communication tools that enable multiple members of the organization to collaborate on the planning process from beginning to end<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
ClickUp limitations<\/h4>\n
- \n
- The comprehensive nature of the software and its many features can make for a longer learning curve for new users<\/li>\n
- This is a desktop-first strategic planning software; while there are some mobile capabilities and a mobile app, its functionality will always be most effective on desktop devices<\/li>\n
- The pre-built automation can sometimes be limiting, causing some users to request more customized automation opportunities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
ClickUp pricing plans<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Free Forever: <\/strong>A free service for users<\/li>\n
- Unlimited:<\/strong> $7\/month per user<\/li>\n
- Business Plus:<\/strong> $19\/month per user<\/li>\n
- Enterprise:<\/strong> Contact for pricing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
ClickUp ratings and reviews<\/h4>\n
- \n
- G2: <\/strong>4.7\/5 (2,000+ reviews)<\/li>\n
- Capterra: <\/strong>4.7\/5 (2,000+ reviews)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n![\"ClickUp](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ClickUp-Strategic-Roadmap-Template.png\")
Visualize your team\u2019s strategic roadmap and better plan for your team\u2019s success with this template<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Download This Template<\/a><\/div>\n2. AchieveIt<\/h3>\n
\n![\"AchieveIt](\"https:\/\/www.achieveit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/product-features_tree-view-768x725.png\")
Via AchieveIt<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n The first dedicated strategic planning tool<\/a> on our list, AchieveIt focuses on automating and digitizing the planning process. That includes not just creating plans but also monitoring them across the organization and toward long-term success.<\/p>\n
The planning process becomes more visible and transparent across the organization. With the intuitive dashboard, everyone remains on the same page regarding the goals, what they\u2019ve achieved, and what they still need to do.<\/p>\n
AchieveIt best features<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Planning templates optimized for industries, including healthcare, government, education, banking, manufacturing, and more<\/li>\n
- A visual dashboard for users to keep track of both the planning and execution process across the organization<\/li>\n
- A scorecard system to measure ongoing progress toward particular strategic goals<\/li>\n
- An extensive knowledgebase complete with both video and written content to simplify onboarding and starting your planning process<\/li>\n
- Close vendor-client relationships that lead to strong customer support and a higher chance of using the software successfully<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
AchieveIt limitations<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Limited ability to customize some fields in the templates and dashboards depending on the customization needed<\/li>\n
- Fewer integrations than some leading software solution tools on this list, making it more difficult to plan and track outside the platform<\/li>\n
- The pre-built reporting functions can be somewhat limiting, requiring time spent on custom reports in many industries<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
AchieveIt pricing plans<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Core:<\/strong> Contact for pricing<\/li>\n
- Plus:<\/strong> Contact for pricing<\/li>\n
- Pro:<\/strong> Contact for pricing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
AchieveIt ratings and reviews<\/h4>\n
- \n
- G2: <\/strong>4.5\/5 (45 reviews)<\/li>\n
- Capterra: <\/strong>4.7\/5 (21 reviews)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
3. Elate<\/h3>\n
\n![\"Elate](\"https:\/\/global-uploads.webflow.com\/62682943b49649450439797b\/62682943b496492c38397d86_vaPGAoL7y7JpPsqXuZD_dOlUxunohNZEJ7Eebu5kjqch6mSXo283-1E0Q7dF_jvFTvyut9TrHBLwc_3aPn33Hu33pAyYPqQw29jH4coHuRJwoV0hMDOnfPGUhr_cfgw8YKDgKPAX.png\")
Via Elate<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Built by former strategic organizational leaders, Elate helps others streamline their strategy sessions and planning. Like most of the best strategic planning tools<\/a>, it focuses on three stages: planning, execution, and success tracking.<\/p>\n
Each stage focuses on ongoing cross-unit alignment and optimization to keep your business on track.<\/p>\n
Elate best features<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Set objectives and strategic goals in the platform, then communicate them to your larger teams via integrations, such as Slack and Microsoft Teams<\/li>\n
- Create a unified dashboard view of your strategic plan that users and everyone else in the organization can easily see and reference<\/li>\n
- Monitor the status of the plan\u2019s execution through real-time success and progress reports in the platform<\/li>\n
- Use the intuitive interface for easy planning without getting off target<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Elate limitations<\/h4>\n
- \n
- The intentional simplicity of the product can sometimes be a limitation for more complex planning processes<\/li>\n
- External data can be difficult to import into the software, which doesn\u2019t always read typical file types<\/li>\n
- There is currently no integration with project management tools, such as ClickUp, Asana, or Monday, that could lead to more complex execution projects<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Elate pricing plans<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Contact for pricing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Elate ratings and reviews<\/h4>\n
- \n
- G2: <\/strong>4.9\/5 (11 reviews)<\/li>\n
- Capterra: <\/strong>No reviews recorded<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
4. ChartHop<\/h3>\n
\n![\"ChartHop](\"https:\/\/www.charthop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Headcount-planning_body.png\")
Via ChartHop<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n As a people management tool, ChartHop offers a digital solution for effectively tracking, analyzing, and understanding your workforce. It centralizes data such as employee information, roles, skills, and performance metrics, providing a holistic view of your organization.<\/p>\n
By having access to this comprehensive dataset, you can gain valuable insights into your workforce and make informed decisions regarding resource allocation, talent development, and organizational strategy.<\/p>\n
ChartHop best features<\/h4>\n
- \n
- A comprehensive employee and people management tool that provides all the depth and insights you need for strategic planning<\/li>\n
- Integration abilities into other websites, such as your organization\u2019s intranet<\/a><\/li>\n
- A great mix of user experience and customizability to create an easy tool for all employees and leadership alike<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
ChartHop limitations<\/h4>\n
- \n
- There are so many features that it can be easy to lose the overview of what matters most in managing your people and plans<\/li>\n
- The search function within the platform has some bugs and doesn\u2019t always return comprehensive results<\/li>\n
- Reports could use more segmentation abilities to analyze individual employees and data groups in greater detail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
ChartHop pricing plans<\/h4>\n
- \n
- ChartHop Basic:<\/strong> Free for up to 150 employees<\/li>\n
- ChartHop Standard:<\/strong> $8\/month per employee<\/li>\n
- ChartHop Premium:<\/strong> Contact for pricing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
ChartHop ratings and reviews<\/h4>\n
- \n
- G2: <\/strong>4.2\/5 (98 reviews)<\/li>\n
- Capterra: <\/strong>4.6\/5 (65 reviews)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
5. Lucidspark<\/h3>\n
\n![\"Lucidspark](\"https:\/\/cdn-cashy-static-assets.lucidchart.com\/marketing\/pages\/lucidspark\/consideration\/visualize-your-goals-to-craft-the-ideal-plan@2x.png\")
Via Lucidspark<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Strategic planning almost always has to start with creative brainstorming and ideation. That\u2019s where a tool like Lucidspark, which thrives on its virtual whiteboarding features, truly shines. Companies, including Google, General Electric, and NBC Universal, use it in the strategic planning process.<\/p>\n
Lucidspark best features<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Strong desktop and mobile capabilities that make whiteboarding and collaboration simple in any situation<\/li>\n
- An integrated chat function that allows multiple users working on the same whiteboard to stay in real-time contact<\/li>\n
- Templates from decision trees to roadmaps that make getting started in the planning process simple<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Lucidspark limitations<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Somewhat limited features and templates for any multi-layered planning process<\/li>\n
- Pricing is not listed publicly, and some reviews have called it out as more expensive than other whiteboarding tools<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Lucidspark pricing plans<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Contact for pricing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Lucidspark ratings and reviews<\/h4>\n
- \n
- G2: <\/strong>4.5\/5 (2,000+ reviews)<\/li>\n
- Capterra: <\/strong>4.7\/5 (350+ reviews)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
6. Empiraa<\/h3>\n
![\"Empiraa](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/65655be5b9576a75a4e21a0a_teams.jpeg\")
Via Empiraa<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Designed specifically for small businesses, Empiraa employs an established strategic framework that\u2019s easy to integrate your organization and plan into. Simplicity is front and center for all users involved, whether you\u2019re creating a vision or collaborating toward achieving that vision.<\/p>\n
Empiraa best features<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Simplicity is intentional throughout, and this makes Empiraa one of the easiest tools available to start your planning process<\/li>\n
- Streamlined functionality for switching directions or changing alignments to account for shifting business environments<\/li>\n
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) integrations that use industry trends and data to suggest both business goals and strategies help achieve these goals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Empiraa limitations<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Simplicity is its downfall in scenarios where more complex tools and integrations, such as basic task management<\/a> or calendar functionality, become necessary<\/li>\n
- Lacks a clone function to quickly duplicate content, features, or set-up items when creating more complex or multiple plans and reports<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Empiraa pricing plans<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Empiraa Starter:<\/strong> $4.90\/month per user<\/li>\n
- Empiraa Pro:<\/strong> $13.90\/month per user<\/li>\n
- Empiraa Max:<\/strong> $23.90\/month per user<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Empiraa ratings and reviews<\/h4>\n
- \n
- G2: <\/strong>5\/5 (1 review)<\/li>\n
- Capterra: <\/strong>5\/5 (1 review)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
7. Hive<\/h3>\n
- Capterra: <\/strong>5\/5 (1 review)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Empiraa Pro:<\/strong> $13.90\/month per user<\/li>\n
- Lacks a clone function to quickly duplicate content, features, or set-up items when creating more complex or multiple plans and reports<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Simplicity is its downfall in scenarios where more complex tools and integrations, such as basic task management<\/a> or calendar functionality, become necessary<\/li>\n
- Capterra: <\/strong>4.7\/5 (350+ reviews)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- G2: <\/strong>4.5\/5 (2,000+ reviews)<\/li>\n
- Contact for pricing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Capterra: <\/strong>4.6\/5 (65 reviews)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- ChartHop Standard:<\/strong> $8\/month per employee<\/li>\n
- ChartHop Basic:<\/strong> Free for up to 150 employees<\/li>\n
- A great mix of user experience and customizability to create an easy tool for all employees and leadership alike<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Capterra: <\/strong>No reviews recorded<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- G2: <\/strong>4.9\/5 (11 reviews)<\/li>\n
- Contact for pricing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Capterra: <\/strong>4.7\/5 (21 reviews)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Plus:<\/strong> Contact for pricing<\/li>\n
- Core:<\/strong> Contact for pricing<\/li>\n
- Capterra: <\/strong>4.7\/5 (2,000+ reviews)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Unlimited:<\/strong> $7\/month per user<\/li>\n
- Free Forever: <\/strong>A free service for users<\/li>\n
- ClickUp Goals<\/u><\/a> feature that allows you to turn your organizational vision into measurable and intuitive goals you can track and work on directly in the software<\/li>\n
- Flexibility: <\/strong>More free-flowing dashboards and interfaces, such as whiteboard templates, that enable brainstorming and creative thought early in the process<\/li>\n
- 2. AchieveIt<\/a><\/li>\n
- What Should You Look for in Strategy Software?<\/a><\/li>\n
![\"Hive](\"https:\/\/hive.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/My-Action-List-1.png\")