In this research paper, the effectiveness of Strategic Planning in Blood Transfusion Services in South Africa was investigated. A brief general overview of relevant aspects that specifically relate to the strategic planning of Services and not-for-gain organisations was presented. The literature study included an explanation of the steps involved in the strategic planning process and the guidelines to develop and implement each of these effectively. The research methodology consisted of three phases: Phase 1 - A literature study to determine the most effective strategic plan for a not-for-gain organisation. Phase 2 - An empirical study to determine the effectiveness of the strategic planning processes in practice by means of a survey among the Blood Transfusion Services in South Africa. Phase 3 - The findings from the literature study and empirical study were used to evaluate whether effective strategic planning is implemented in the Blood Transfusion Services in South Africa. The following recommendations and conclusions were made: The Blood Transfusion Services that have not yet started seeking the opinion of all the stakeholders involved in the organisation should strongly consider implementing this strategy as part of the services provided to the community. The services operate as individual organisations, but clearly influence each other within the industry and the changes within the external environment form part of the elements that are considered by the services when determining the strategic direction of the services. All the services identify the major areas for which objectives need to be set to assist the organisations in achieving long-term prosperity, but they do not all set objectives in these areas. When it comes to strategic issues, all the services state that they identify these, but not all pre-determine criteria for evaluating the strategic issues. Guidelines for the effective implementation of the strategies of choice by lower managers or supervisors are not developed by all the services, nor do most of the services have control mechanisms in place to assist in effective implementation of the strategic planning process.