As described in previous modules, Smart Sustainable Cities are complex systems; thus, their success depends on proper and clever planning. This section describes the process of strategic planning, emphasizing tools that can be useful for this task and key considerations to be taken during Urban Transformation.

The strategic planning process in general composes of 4 major steps:

• Current position determination;
• Strategy development;
• Preparation of the plan;
• Performance management definition serves as a ground for strategy execution and monitoring.

One of the strategic planning tools to auxiliary this process is the SWOT matrix, which is used for evaluation of the current position of a city or organization. It identifies the project’s main strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges.

SWOT Matrix  by University of Missouri