EN
The paper analyses the practice of strategic planning in two significant groups of retail banks in Germany. To discuss strategic planning approaches applied by the banks, the author uses a three step framework consisting of (1) strategic analysis, (2) strategy finding and (3) strategy assessment. In case of each element of the framework he discusses tools and methods employed by bank managers in order to overcome existing barriers. As regards strategy assessment, two benchmarking approaches are analysed. The author argues that approaches applied by the banks provide a good example of how small organisations might deal with issues of strategic planning.