Causey

Strategic plans shouldn’t gather dust. They should guide action.

That was the core message of a recent webinar hosted by Mugo Web’s Bethany Morse, featuring Ricky Chilcott, co-founder of Causey, strategic planning software built for nonprofits and libraries. Together, they tackled one of the biggest issues facing libraries today: moving from good ideas to meaningful implementation.

The Hidden Killer of Strategic Plans

The number one reason strategic plans fail? Mindset.

“Too often,” Ricky explained, “strategic planning is treated as an event—something that happens every three to five years. But the reality is, strategy should be ongoing.”

Without sustained attention, even the best plans fade into irrelevance. That’s why Ricky emphasized the importance of treating strategy as a continuous cycle, not a once-and-done activity.

The CAPE Cycle: A Practical Planning Framework

Mission Met’s CAPE Cycle offers a simple structure that libraries can adopt today:

• Champion – Appoint internal champions who consistently drive the plan forward.
• Assess – Gather input from patrons, staff, and stakeholders to understand where you are and where you want to go.
• Plan – Create focused goals with clear action steps.
• Execute – Commit to doing the work, evaluating progress, and celebrating success.

This cycle moves strategy from shelf to action. And it’s flexible—some libraries report monthly on their goals; others revise plans quarterly or annually. The key is consistency.

Structuring a Plan That Drives Results

Effective plans contain two key components:

1. The Compass – Mission, vision, values, and top-level priorities that guide decisions when resources are tight.
2. The Actions – Focus areas (like outreach or tech access), goals, and specific tasks—with champions assigned for each.

Short-term goals are often more practical than long-term initiatives, especially for smaller libraries. “Don’t get stuck trying to predict the future,” Ricky noted. “Set a goal for the next six months and start making progress.”

Your Website: A Powerful Strategic Tool

Bethany brought real-world examples showing how digital tools—especially websites—can make or break implementation:

1. Reaching Underserved Populations

The GoLibrary initiative in Alberta helped Indigenous community members easily register for a library card online and access services immediately via email and SMS. It was simple, effective, and removed friction.

2. Increasing Program Participation

Delaware County Libraries embedded:

• A homepage event feed across all branches,
• Frictionless online registration with automated reminders,
• And a powerful digital resources page with filtering tools.

This made discovery easy and engagement higher.

3. Maximizing Meeting Room Use

East Gwillimbury Library streamlined online meeting room bookings. In just six weeks, room usage jumped by 87%, all without new construction—just by making existing spaces more accessible.

“Sometimes the most powerful change isn’t building something new,” Bethany said, “but making it easier for people to use what you already have.”

From Vision to Reality

Strategic planning is only valuable if it leads to action. The CAPE Cycle gives your team structure. Your website gives your goals reach. And a commitment to continuous learning keeps your plan alive.

Whether you use Causey or a spreadsheet, what matters most is adopting a mindset of ongoing execution.

The end goal? A library that doesn’t just talk about impact—but achieves it.