If you plan to use an outside facilitator and are following the Nine Step process, it
is imperative that your facilitator is thoroughly familiar with the outcomes-focused approach to writing the statement of strategic direction or strategic plan, whichever it is called. Most independent planning facilitators have their own methodology and this might not deliver the results you want. Remember, if the plan is written as a set of intentions or activities, that is almost certainly what you will end up monitoring, and that is not desirable. If your independent facilitator does not agree to follow the process outlined in this chapter, then we suggest you either select one who will or else abandon the Carver Policy Governance process on which the Nine Steps approach is based. Everything in the model is geared towards a results-based approach to planning and without this the model will not work as designed – a bit like buying a car with only three wheels or without a steering wheel and expecting it to work.