Why is strategic and operational planning important for NPMs?

NPMs have broad mandates, within which they need to find focus. Strategic planning, through identifying priorities and objectives can help NPMs focus, make choices and maximise resources. For new NPMs, it may be hard to immediately define the changes they would like to see, or the main goals they would like to achieve.

Planning does not have to only relate to changes in places of deprivation of liberty (for example: “to reduce the overuse of pre-trial detention”). Indeed, newly established NPMs may wish to focus much of their initial plan on internal development and capacity building (for example, building a strong and stable institution with staff who have the expertise they need), before being able to focus on goals that relate to making change in detention.

Planning helps to focus the energy of the team by ensuring that everyone working for the NPM knows what they are doing and why it is important. The process of planning also helps to establish agreement and understanding within the NPM around the mandate, identity, objectives, activities and results, which makes teams both stronger and more effective.

Strategic plans are also important externally to the institution, as a way of communicating to stakeholders what the NPM is trying to achieve and how. This way, it helps the NPM to ensure that everyone involved in torture prevention understands their unique role and contribution, as well as gather agreement on possible joint thematic areas of work.

Operational plans are also often the basis on which the NPM can define its budget and necessary resources.