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A strong strategic planning process connects day-to-day operations to long-term vision, which has helped LCWSC stay proactive.
The right strategic process builds ownership and engaging internal and external stakeholders early and often ensures that priorities reflect shared values.
Five strategic priorities now guide LCWSC’s work, including employee development, infrastructure growth, financial resiliency, community engagement, and high-quality service delivery.
With more than 50 years of service and more than $100 million invested in water and sewer infrastructure over the last decade, LCWSC has demonstrated its commitment to meeting the region’s needs. However, strategic planning guides organizations to think differently about where they are today and where they want to be in the future. It’s not just about reacting; it’s about creating a shared vision and aligning resources to move in that direction.
LCWSC recognized that while infrastructure is critical, long-term resilience requires more. Their strategic planning process focused on intentional engagement, identifying challenges and opportunities, and building alignment around a vision of success. The result was a plan that not only guides day-to-day decisions but also empowers the organization to adapt, evolve, and continue serving the public with excellence.
In early 2024, LCWSC partnered with Raftelis to launch a comprehensive strategic planning process that engaged voices across the organization and community. The process was designed to do more than produce a report, it was to reflect the utility’s values and vision and chart a course forward.
The process for LCWSC included:
Throughout the strategic planning process, you can keep the plan grounded by using three simple questions: What do we know to be true today? What do we hope will be true in the future? And how do we get there? These questions can help center the process in both current reality and long-term direction, so the resulting plan wouldn’t be aspirational fluff but a roadmap for real action.
Understanding the purpose of an organization is foundational to defining its strategic direction. For LCWSC, that purpose is captured in their new organizational vision:
To be the leading water and sewer provider for the Laurens County community by delivering excellent, cost-effective services, valuing our employees and partners, and instilling a culture of integrity throughout our organization.
The vision reflects LCWSC’s aspirations, but the process of getting there starts with clearly defined priorities and an inclusive, thoughtful process for developing them.
Utilities use strategic plans in different ways, and the Raftelis process is built to support the idea that there are distinct phases, each serving a different purpose. Organizations often have so many priorities that just bringing people together to understand what matters most can build alignment. That alignment helps people—from staff to external partners—see how their work connects to the bigger picture.
Through a deliberate and inclusive planning process, LCWSC engaged internal and external stakeholders, asking key questions about what the organization should do more of, do differently, or innovate around to succeed in the future. The result was a strategic framework that not only reflects community and organizational needs but also serves as a powerful communication tool to align efforts and foster a shared sense of purpose.
LCWSC’s five strategic priorities emerged as a direct outcome of this engagement and reflection:
While some strategic plans sit on shelves, the true benefit of strategic planning happens when they’re treated as a living document that is updated when needed and progress on initiatives is being tracked. In the case of LCWSC, since the adoption of its strategic plan, the organization has launched a range of initiatives that show momentum toward its goals, including:
See LCWSC’s full strategic plan here.
“This level of support is a strong testament to how the community views LCWSC and reinforces our ongoing commitment to service. Through our strategic planning efforts, every level of our organization can appreciate this milestone, recognize what we’re doing well, and focus on how we can continue improving our level of service to Laurens County.”
– Jeff Field, Executive Director at LCWSC
For many utilities, the day-to-day demands of service delivery can leave little time for long-term thinking. Strategic planning doesn’t have to be burdensome. Done well, it can clarify direction, align teams, strengthen relationships, and ensure that utilities are not only keeping up with today’s needs but also preparing for tomorrow’s challenges.
Whether your organization is developing its first strategic plan or revisiting an existing one, a focused, inclusive, and actionable approach can make a lasting impact. For more information on utility strategic planning, contact Catherine Carter at ccarter@raftelis.com.
