Although every strategic planning session is different depending on the needs of each organization, most strategic planning agendas have a similar structure.
Below is a sample two-day strategic planning meeting agenda that you can customize to your needs. We recommend including your team in the planning process as early as possible to increase company-wide buy-in and implementation after the session.
We also recommend using a strategic planning facilitator to guide the conversation, ask tough questions, encourage those who may not participate as actively, and keep the agenda on track.
Use this as a starting point for your own strategic meeting agenda—not a rigid template. Adjust the timing and exercises around the decisions your team needs to make.
Two-Day Strategic Planning Meeting Agenda: Day 1
8:45 – 9:00 - Welcome
9:00 – 9:15 - A Look Back
9:15 – 10:00 - Segue
10:00 – 10:15 - break
10:15 – 10:45 - Review Year to Date
10:45 – 11:15 - break
11:15 – 12:15 - Team Building Exercise #1
12:15 – 12:45 - break
1:00 – 2:30 - SWOT / Issues List
2:30 – 3:00 - break
3:00 – 4:30 - Vision / Strategic Business Leadership
4:30 – social event
Two-Day Strategic Planning Meeting Agenda: Day 2
8:45 – 9:00 - Opening remarks
9:00 – 11:00 - Establish Yearly KPIs
11:00 – 11:30 - Team Building Exercise #2
11:30 – 12:00 - break
12:00 – 2:00 - Tackle Key Issues
2:00 – 2:30 - break
2:30 – 3:15 - Next Steps
3:15 – 4:00 - Conclude
How to Customize This Strategic Planning Meeting Agenda
Every organization has its own strategic priorities, so every strategic planning facilitation agenda should reflect the decisions the team needs to make. Adjust the sequence, timing, and exercises while keeping clear outcomes for each discussion.
Hopefully this sample strategic planning agenda helps you develop a two-day off-site strategy meeting—or any other strategic work your team needs to complete.
Strategic Planning Meeting Agenda FAQs
What should a strategic planning meeting agenda include?
A useful agenda typically includes a look back, a review of current performance, team alignment, SWOT or key-issue discussions, vision, KPIs, decisions, next steps, and named ownership.
How long should a strategic planning meeting last?
This sample spans two days so the team has time for reflection, discussion, decisions, and next steps. The right length depends on the number and complexity of the issues your organization needs to address.
Should we use a strategic planning facilitator?
A facilitator can keep the meeting on track, ask difficult questions, encourage balanced participation, and help the team turn discussion into clear decisions and next steps.