Game Plan to Greatness: How Strategic Planning Mirrors Pro Football Teams' Road to Victory

At SMG Consulting, we often use sports analogies to describe association strategies, and one of the most fitting comparisons is with professional football. Just like a team’s journey to success, association strategies depend on clear goals, teamwork, adaptability, and accountability. These shared elements, whether in sports or associations, highlight the critical steps needed to achieve success.

Vision and Goals

In pro football, teams set clear goals at the beginning of the season, such as winning the Big Game, but they also establish smaller objectives, like winning their division or improving player performance. Each game is a stepping stone toward achieving their broader vision. For associations, the same process applies. Associations begin with a clear vision—whether it’s to position members as industry leaders, increase membership, or expand educational programs. Like pro teams, associations must set specific, measurable goals, such as launching new programs or improving member satisfaction, to stay focused on the bigger picture. Each small victory along the way, like a successful event or a membership increase, builds toward the larger goal of advancing the association’s mission.

Roles and Teamwork

Success in football depends on each player understanding and excelling in their role. From the quarterback to the linemen, each person has a specific responsibility that contributes to the team's overall success. The coach sets the strategy, but the execution relies on the team’s ability to work together. Similarly, in associations, each individual plays a crucial role within the strategic plan.  Total team buy-in to the plan is imperative for success. Board members, staff, committee chairs, and event coordinators must all align their efforts to bring the strategy to life. When everyone understands their role and works collaboratively, the association moves forward. However, just as a football team can struggle when players don’t execute their roles properly, an association can falter if its team members don’t work in unison toward the strategic goals.

Preparation and Execution

Professional football teams don’t wait until game day to start thinking about how to win. They spend months in the off-season preparing—running drills, analyzing past performances, and studying their opponents. This preparation ensures they’re ready when it’s time to hit the field. In the same way, associations must invest time in strategic planning. Conducting a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) is like reviewing game tapes—it helps identify what’s working and what needs improvement. Whether it’s refining member services or exploring new opportunities, associations need this groundwork to be well-prepared for execution. Just as pro  teams practice countless scenarios before the season starts, associations must go through a thorough planning phase to ensure they’re ready to implement their strategy when the time comes.

Adaptability and In-Game Adjustments

No matter how much preparation goes into a football game plan, unexpected events like injuries or changes in weather conditions often require real-time adjustments. Coaches need to be agile and adapt their strategy on the fly to ensure the team stays competitive. The same holds true for associations. While a strategic plan is the roadmap for achieving success, it must be flexible enough to adapt to changes—whether it’s shifts in member needs, new regulatory challenges, or economic downturns. A well-crafted strategic plan allows for adjustments without losing sight of the long-term goals, just as a football team adjusts its tactics while keeping its eyes on the championship.

At SMG Consulting, we emphasize the importance of monitoring established benchmarks and being adaptable. Flexibility is often the difference between success and falling short, and associations, like professional football teams, must be ready to pivot as needed.

Accountability and Performance Measurement

Pro teams measure success with clear metrics: wins, points scored, yards gained, and turnovers prevented. Every player’s performance is reviewed, and accountability is non-negotiable. Similarly, associations need robust performance measurement systems to track their progress. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) provide a way to measure the success of specific objectives, and responsibility assignment charts, such as the RACI (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed) framework, ensure everyone knows who is accountable for each task. Regular reviews of these metrics, much like pro teams reviewing game tapes, allow associations to assess what’s working and where adjustments are needed. Holding individuals accountable ensures that the entire team stays on course toward achieving the strategic vision.

Leadership: Coaching the Team

Just as head coaches are the architects behind a team’s success, association leaders are the driving force behind their organizations. Coaches set the strategy, motivate the players, and make crucial in-game decisions, but it’s also the captains and veteran players who provide leadership on the field. In associations, this leadership starts with the board of directors and officers, who set the strategic vision. The Executive Director, much like the head coach, leads the team of staff and ensures the strategy is executed effectively. Good leaders in both football and associations understand the importance of communication, ensuring everyone understands the game plan and is motivated to carry it out.

Timelines and Milestones

An professional football season is broken down into distinct milestones—17 regular-season games, followed by playoffs, and, for the best, the Big Game. Each game represents a chance to move closer to the ultimate goal. Associations operate in much the same way. Whether working on annual or multi-year strategic plans, associations must establish specific milestones along the way. These could be hitting membership targets, launching a new service, or achieving revenue goals. Just as a pro team tracks its progress throughout the season, associations must use these milestones as checkpoints to ensure they are on track to achieve their strategic objectives.

Conclusion

In both football and association management, success relies on a clear vision, teamwork, preparation, adaptability, accountability, and strong leadership. Just as pro teams must constantly review and adjust their strategies to win games, associations must remain flexible and monitor their performance to stay aligned with their goals.

At SMG Consulting, we believe that with the right strategy and approach, associations can achieve championship-level success. Like a pro team striving for the Big Win, your association can achieve its vision with a winning strategic plan. Contact us to learn more about how we can help your association succeed.