What Is a Strategic Plan?
A strategic plan is a high-level document that explains an organization’s vision and mission plus the approach it will take to realize that mission and vision — including specific goals, objectives and the initiatives chosen to achieve them.
In Practice
The strategic plan sets the direction that portfolios, programs and projects serve. Projects earn their place by advancing strategic goals; when priorities shift, the strategic plan is the reference point for reprioritizing. It connects executive strategy to the concrete work delivered through the value delivery system.
PMBOK 8 Context
Strategic alignment is emphasized throughout the PMBOK Guide, 8th Edition. The strategic plan grounds the principle that projects exist to deliver organizational value and informs governance and prioritization decisions.
FAQ
Strategic plan vs. project plan? The strategic plan spans the organization over years; a project plan governs a single, time-bound effort.
Why should project managers read it? It reveals why a project was chosen and what success means at the organizational level.
Author: Tom, PMP-certified since 2004. Last updated: July 2026. Aligned with the PMBOK Guide, 8th Edition.