Purpose:

The purpose of the first step is to negotiate agreement among key internal (and perhaps external) decision makers or opinion leaders about the overall strategic planning effort and the key planning steps.

Approaches:

The agreement should cover these points:

1. The purpose of the effort.
2. Preferred steps in the process.
3. The form and timing of reports.
4. The role, functions, and membership of any group or committee empowered to oversee the effort, such as a strategic planning coordinating committee (SPCC).
5. The role, functions, and membership of the strategic planning team.
6. The commitment of necessary resources to proceed with the effort.
 

Any important limitations or boundaries on the effort should be made clear. 
 

John M. Bryson, Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations:  A Guide to Strengthening and Sustaining Organizational Achievement, rev. ed. (San Francisco:  Jossey-Bass, 1995), 23-26.