Part Two: Annual Strategic planning starts early!

Written By Abby Sinnett

A Look Around

As we continue into fourth quarter, it is a great time to look around and plan for where we are going!

How do we find our Annual Objectives?

Call it “old school”, but at the the end of the day it still works… We inform our annual objectives by looking around through a good old fashion PESTEL Review and SWOT Analysis. Plan two hours with your key leaders and just start reflecting and researching! You will be surprised with what you come up with. Below you will find a Step-by-Step Guide to a PESTEL Review & SWOT Analysis to help with your 2026 Strategic Planning.

How to Conduct a PESTEL Review

To see the bigger picture beyond your walls, turn to PESTEL. PESTEL stands for: Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, Legal. A PESTEL review helps organizations evaluate political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal factors impacting their mission-aligned planning. This can help you to further identify threats and opportunities for your organization!

Step 1: Break It Down

Step 2: Research What’s Relevant

Explore:

  • Government policy changes

  • Industry reports or trend forecasts

  • Community health needs assessments

  • Legal updates or board rulings

Step 3: Use It to Inform Strategy

Bring your PESTEL insights into PART 2: your SWOT analysis. This is especially great for your Opportunities and Threats. This ensures your strategy is rooted in real-world context—not guesswork.

How to Conduct a SWOT Analysis

Using SWOT analysis, teams can identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, providing clarity for strategic planning processes and organizational objectives. This simple yet powerful tool gives you a snapshot of your internal and external landscape—what’s working, what’s not, and where you can grow.

Step 1: Set Your Focus

What are you analyzing? Examples:

  • Your year in review

  • A new service line (e.g., holistic fertility care)

  • Organizational growth strategy

  • Patient engagement

Step 2: Draw the Grid

Step 3: Ask the Right Questions

Strengths

  • What do we do exceptionally well?

  • What do patients or clients praise us for?

  • What unique skills, services, or technologies do we offer?

Weaknesses

  • What needs improvement?

  • Where are we under-resourced?

  • What inefficiencies or frustrations exist internally?

Opportunities

  • Are there emerging needs in our community?

  • Are patients seeking something we could offer?

  • Are there partnerships we could develop?

Threats

  • What external factors could hinder our progress?

  • Are competitors gaining ground?

  • Are there policy or financial changes on the horizon?

Step 4: Use Your SWOT

Once you've filled in the grid, look at how elements interact. Let this guide your strategic planning in this next quarter!

  • Use strengths to maximize opportunities

  • Shore up weaknesses to avoid threats

  • Create targeted strategies from the intersections

A personal Note:

I know that PESTEL & SWOT seem like buzzwords— BUT they really are allies in reclaiming clarity, resilience, and direction in the new year. Combining reflection with faith-based leadership planning ensures your objectives and goals are mission-focused, actionable, and poised for impact in the coming year.… I hope that this can be a fruitful exercise for your organization.

Abby Sinnett
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Part one: Annual strategic planning starts early!