When applied to organizational planning, strategy and evaluation, the ecocycle model (Diagram 1) suggests that periodic, natural processes of change within an organization—including reflection, experimentation with new ideas and terminating existing efforts—are critical to success and long-term sustainability. (Rebecca W. Graves, 2016) Ecocycle Planning helps us to consider that if an environment is prepared (by nature or by people), seeds can grow, and with some support, they will mature to create new seeds and then naturally die, thus providing space and energy for the cycle to continue.

When applied to organizations, the integration of ongoing reflection, action and planning can ensure proactive and strategic adaptability to evolving circumstances and responsiveness as needs of communities change, including identifying where organizations can sometimes get stuck in planning processes.

Ecocycle Planning allows for planning for programs, teams or organizations that can involve everyone rather than a common default of more top-down, colonialist approaches. It also allows participants to see the forest AND the trees – where their activities fit and how they relate in the larger operating context.