Have You Ever Finished Strategic Planning in 2 Hours? Elemental Clients Have.

October is the most strategic month of the year. It’s the perfect moment to look at what didn’t work in last year’s plan — and fix it before you carry those same issues into 2026.

At Elemental, we’ve helped teams cut their planning process from weeks of draining sessions down to a focused two-hour sprint that produces clarity, alignment, and next steps everyone actually uses. The difference isn’t magic. It’s process.

Here are five upgrades that can help your team streamline annual planning and walk away with a plan you’ll stick to:

1. Clarify the Vision Before You Set Goals

It’s tempting to jump straight into targets, but without a shared “why,” alignment falls apart fast. A short Vision Worksheet keeps everyone anchored when the details start flying.

2. Use a Goal Filter to Prioritize What Matters

Not every good idea deserves a spot in the plan. Run each initiative through a filter: does it align with the vision, do we have capacity, and will it move the needle this year? This prevents the trap of “too many priorities,” which really means no priorities.

3. Make Planning a Team Sport

Plans fail when they’re created in isolation and handed down later. Involve your team early through workshops, brainstorming, or surveys. People support what they help build.

4. Set Cadences for Review and Adjustment

A plan should be a living framework, not a one-time event. Monthly check-ins and quarterly reviews keep it relevant and allow for course-corrections without starting over.

5. Keep It Practical and Usable

A 40-slide deck is impressive, but it rarely drives action. Instead, keep your plan simple and usable: one-page summaries, lightweight trackers, and check-ins that fit into existing routines.

The Payoff: A Plan That Sticks

When you streamline your annual planning, you don’t just save time — you increase focus, reduce stress, and set your team up for a stronger year ahead.

Want the tools to make it happen? Download the free Annual Planning Toolkit at https://www.elementalcg.com/right-sized-annual-planning-toolkit