Strategic planning is the process of defining an organization's direction and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this direction. It involves setting goals, determining strategies to achieve those goals, and mobilizing resources to execute the strategies.

The strategic planning process typically follows a specific framework, consisting of several steps. These steps include conducting a situational analysis, defining the organization's mission and vision, setting strategic goals and objectives, identifying strategic initiatives, creating an implementation plan, and monitoring and evaluating progress.

The first step in the strategic planning process is conducting a situational analysis. This involves gathering and analyzing information about the internal and external factors that may impact the organization's performance. This information includes strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis), as well as market trends and competitive analysis.

After the situational analysis, the next step is defining the organization's mission and vision. The mission statement outlines the purpose and values of the organization, while the vision statement describes the desired future state of the organization. These statements serve as a guide for decision-making throughout the strategic planning process.

Overall, the strategic planning process is a crucial element in the success of any organization. By following a structured framework and involving key stakeholders, organizations can effectively define their direction and allocate resources to achieve their goals and objectives.