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Recommended Plan Review Criteria
by Laurel Jones

[Reprinted from the "National Endowment for the Arts Advancement 95/96 Handbook."]

I. SENSE OF IDENTITY

  • Is it clear that the organization knows who it is?
  • Has it expressed a set of core values?
  • Does it have a significant vision for the future?
  • Is the vision shared within the organization?
  • Is its mission one that is vital to an identified community?
  • Can the organization describe its artistic philosophy and product?

II. CURRENT REALITIES

  • Does the organization recognize and understand its current realities?
  • Does the plan present and analyze relevant facts about the organization?
  • Does the plan present and analyze relevant facts and information about the organization's target markets (audience, donors, communities)?
  • Does the plan present and analyze relevant facts about the wider external environment?

III. FUTURE PLANS

  • Has the organization articulated a clear sense of direction for its future?
  • Will the goals expressed advance the organization toward its vision?
  • Has the organization assessed its ability to compete for and secure resources?
  • Does the organization have the capacity to implement the actions it enumerates?
  • Does the plan differentiate between primary and secondary priorities?
  • Does the plan provide contingency plans or multiple scenario?
  • Does the plan identify expected outcomes/results and evaluation measures?

IV. BUDGETS AND TIMELINES

  • Are budgets built upon elements of data review - such as expenses by program/cost center and cash flow projections?
  • Are budgets realistic and healthy?
  • Are they accurate and complete with sufficient detail including fund balances?
  • Are timelines realistic? Are key tasks clearly allocated? Is there sufficient detail?

V. PLANNING PROCESS

  • Does the plan evidence that all parts of the organization have been involved in planning?
  • Has learning taken place in the organization?
  • Have internal processes (such as decision-making, conflict resolution, critical response to artistic product) been made explicit?
  • What specific organizational capacities have increased during the planning process?
  • Will planning continue to take place in the organization?

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