Ethiopia Needs Long-Term National Development Plan (Part Eighteen, Strategies and Stakeholders)

Tsegaye Tegenu, PhD
2024-07-12

We have formulated a vision statement (Part Fourteen), a mission statement (Part Fifteen), and goals (Part Sixteen) of long-term national development plan for Ethiopia. We have also identified 38 fundamental pillars and 114 objectives (Part Seventeen) based on a thorough and comprehensive analysis of the current situation of the country (Part Thirteen). What is the next step in our discussion?

This part discusses the actionable steps in the formulation of a long-term national development plan. Actionable steps refer to the specific tasks, activities, and decisions that need to be executed to achieve the identified vision, mission, goals, and objectives. These steps serve as the bridge between long-term planning outcomes (vision, goals, and objectives) and effective implementation. The steps that we are going to discuss involves creating a detailed roadmap that specifies the activities, timelines, responsibilities, and resources needed to achieve the identified vision, goals and objectives.

There are two principal and integrated components of the actionable steps of long-term development plan: strategy development and stakeholder participation.

1. Strategy: Purpose, Characteristics, Importance and Development

A strategy is a comprehensive plan that aligns means (resources, policies, actions) with ends (goals, objectives) to achieve desired outcomes. It involves making choices about how resources will be allocated and actions prioritized to achieve desired outcomes.

Key characteristics of strategy includes a long-term focus (guiding decisions and actions over an extended period to achieve overarching goals), involves allocating resources (such as financial, human, and technological) to effectively maximize their impact on achieving goals, and adaptability to changing internal and external conditions.

Strategies are important for the following reasons: they provide direction and focus, aligns efforts, optimize resource allocation, risk management, enhance accountability, enables competitive advantage and allows adaptability. Strategies provide clear and actionable plans to achieve specific objectives. They ensure that resources are used effectively and that actions are coordinated towards achieving the goals. They also help the country to position itself favorably in the regional and global markets. Strategies helps also to identifies and address potential risks and aligns the efforts of various stakeholders towards common objectives.

Strategy development is the process of creating, articulating, and implementing strategies. It encompasses several stages and activities aimed at aligning resources and capabilities with goals and objectives. In Part Seventeen we have already set clear goals (fundamental pillars or sub-goals) and measurable objectives that align with the mission and vision. These goals and objectives provide a framework for developing strategies.

2. Types and Hierarchical Levels of Strategies

There are different types of strategy, and this diversity exists because development strategy needs to adapt to varying goals, contexts, and conditions. Your purpose, perspective and approach matter for the formulation of the different types of strategies at different levels.

A comprehensive long-term national development plan incorporates three levels of strategy—higher-level, mid-level (tactical), and operational—to effectively achieve its vision and goals. The choice of which level to focus on at any given time depends on the specific purpose, priorities, and stage of implementation.

2.1. Higher-Level Strategies: Overarching Goals

They set overarching goals and aspirations for the country over the long term. These strategies are structured in a hierarchical manner, with overarching goals supported by specific sub-goals, setting aspirations for the country over the long term. They identify and prioritize key areas of focus based on national needs and challenges. They help in establishing broad policies and guidelines that guide development efforts across all sectors. For example, a higher-level strategy might focus on achieving sustainable economic growth, which involves setting targets for GDP growth, employment rates, and sectoral contributions.

Higher-Level Strategies have challenges related to goals, resource allocation, adaptability to change. Broad goals can be vague and difficult to translate into specific actions. Balancing resource allocation across multiple high-priority areas can be challenging. Long-term strategies must remain relevant in the face of changing political, economic, and social contexts.

2.2. Mid-Level (Tactical) Strategies

These are sector-specific strategies that translate high-level goals into actionable plans. Develop detailed, sector-specific strategies that translate high-level goals into actionable plans. They bridge the gap between high-level strategic goals and operational actions. They can be considered just like the military tactical strategy that deals with the maneuvers and decisions made in the heat of combat. They allocate resources and set priorities within specific sectors to achieve strategic goals.

Sector-specific strategies, also known as tactical strategies, focus on specific sectors such as healthcare, education, energy, agriculture, and transportation, providing a detailed plan for how each sector will contribute to achieving the broader strategic goals. They serve as a bridge between the overarching strategic goals (high-level) and the detailed operational plans (low-level).

There are, however, coordination and adaptability challenges. It is necessary to ensure coordination between different sectors to avoid overlap and inefficiencies. Translating high-level goals into practical, sector-specific actions requires detailed planning and expertise. Tactical strategies need to be flexible enough to adapt to new information and changing circumstances.

2.3. Operational Strategies (Low-Level)

Operational strategies implement specific actions and initiatives to achieve tactical objectives. They executing specific projects, programs, and activities on the ground. They focus to achieve tangible outcomes and delivering services directly to the population. They address local needs and challenges within the framework set by higher and mid-level strategies.

Examples of lower-level strategies include establishing technology parks, building new hospitals, or launching teacher training programs. Operational strategies in healthcare might involve building new hospitals, expanding vaccination programs, and training healthcare professionals to improve access and quality of care.

Even if they are flexible adapting to local conditions and operational realities, operational strategies face challenges of resource constraints, addressing local issues, and effective monitoring and evaluation.

In conclusion, each level of strategy—higher-level, mid-level, and operational—serves a distinct purpose and faces unique challenges. Higher-level strategies set the broad vision, mid-level strategies translate this vision into sector-specific plans, and operational strategies implement detailed actions to achieve specific outcomes. Together, they ensure a cohesive and comprehensive approach to national development.

The choice of which level to focus on at any given time depends on the specific purpose, priorities, and stage of implementation. While each level of strategy—higher-level, mid-level, and operational—serves a distinct purpose in a long-term national development plan, their effective integration and sequential focus are essential for achieving sustainable development outcomes aligned with the country’s vision and priorities.

3. Naming Strategies

To effectively communicate the focus, intent, and scope of actions required to achieve the long-term vision and goals of the national development plan, there is a need to name strategies.  There are two primary approaches to naming strategies: based on the names of the respective goals and based on the names of areas of intervention.

Strategies can be named according to the specific objectives or goals they aim to achieve. For example, Private Sector Development Strategy, which aims to enhance the growth and competitiveness of the private sector. There is also an example of Poverty Reduction Strategy that focuses on reducing poverty levels through targeted interventions.

Strategies named after areas of intervention, refer to broader policy areas or sectors they address. Examples include, economic strategy which encompasses various initiatives to improve the economic health and growth of a country. Social Strategy, which includes policies and programs aimed at improving social welfare, healthcare, and education. Infrastructure strategy which focuses on developing and enhancing physical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and utilities. Environmental Strategy that aims at addressing environmental issues like climate change, pollution, and conservation efforts. Mid-level (tactical) strategies often refer to policy areas.

There is also a combining approach. For instance, Economic Growth and Private Sector Development Strategy combines the goal (economic growth) with the specific focus area (private sector development).

4. Stakeholder Participation

Stakeholder participation is an integral part of actionable steps represents the bridge between strategic planning (vision, goals and objectives) and effective implementation. By involving stakeholders in defining and executing actionable steps, governments enhance strategy execution, improve outcomes, and build stronger relationships with stakeholders invested in achieving shared goals.

Stakeholders contribute by providing insights, perspectives, and expertise during the development of the vision, mission, goals, and strategies. Their input ensures that the strategy reflects diverse interests and priorities.

Stakeholders play a crucial role in identifying actionable steps within the tactical plans. They participate in brainstorming sessions, workshops, and consultations to define specific tasks, timelines, and resource needs.

By involving stakeholders in the action planning phase, governments foster ownership and commitment to executing the strategy. Stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities, which increases the likelihood of successful implementation.

Incorporating diverse stakeholder perspectives enriches the action plan, leading to more comprehensive strategies and innovative solutions. Strategies developed with stakeholder input are more likely to address real needs and have long-term support from affected parties.

The stakeholders involved in strategy development vary depending on the scope and level of the strategy. Developing strategies for overarching goals involve national government bodies, industry leaders, civil society organizations, academic experts, and international organizations. Sector-specific strategies involve sector-specific government bodies, industry stakeholders, service providers, and direct beneficiaries. At operational level, developing strategy to address specific objectives include project teams, local government, community leaders, direct beneficiaries, and support organizations.

Identifying stakeholders in strategy development starts with understanding the policy areas, determining the scope (geographical and thematic), and defining the level (overarching goals, fundamental pillars, specific objectives). This structured approach ensures that all relevant stakeholders are included, their perspectives are considered, and the strategy is robust and well-supported for successful implementation.

To sum up, incorporating stakeholder participation into action planning is essential for developing a strategy that is realistic, inclusive, and sustainable. By engaging stakeholders throughout the process—from defining actionable steps to allocating responsibilities and monitoring progress—organizations and governments can ensure their action plans are well-informed, supported, and effectively implemented to achieve desired outcomes.

Finally, I want to remind you to try to memorize the types and hierarchical levels of strategies by heart. You always need it; it is both for the experts and ordinary people. Memorizing the types and hierarchical levels of strategies is essential for everyone, whether you’re an expert or an ordinary person. Having a solid understanding of these concepts will help you:

• Identify appropriate strategies for various situations and contexts.
• Make informed decisions that align with strategic goals.
• Clearly articulate strategic plans and objectives to stakeholders.
• Adjust strategies based on changing environments and new information