This book summarizes the current state of research on strategic planning and offers an agenda for future research.

The book edition comes with a new introduction that argues that strategising by public, non-profit and business organisations should be a major focus of research. Strategising is what links aspirations, capabilities, and implementation. Strategic planning should be viewed as one approach, but not the only approach, to strategising. A focus on strategising prompts researchers to consider issues of vertical and horizontal alignment of purpose, including across sectors; competence and scalability; co-production; decision-making and change management; and trust, transparency, authenticity and accountability. Additionally, the role of various strategising techniques and information technology should be analysed further.

Beyond the book’s introductory overview of the field, chapters focus on the following topics:

planning styles

collaboration, strategic plans, and government performance

impacts of context and political responsibilities on government strategic planning efforts

impacts of strategic planning in municipal governments

impacts of austerity on strategic planning and government performance

The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of the journal, Public Management Review.