Monthly Archives: July 2014

Strategic Planning is more than Gap Analysis

Cognitive Strategy, Cultural Strategy, Design Strategy, Entrepreneurial Strategy, Environmental Strategy, Planning Strategy, Positioning Strategy, Power Strategy, Strategic Planning, Strategy

Strategic planning is more than just gap analysis. What’s more, there is no single accepted definition of what it is.

Some say that its a top down approach, a rational approach. Others say its fluid, that the macro environment is the major determinant. Still others have a organization-centric resource-only based view toward strategic planning.

What’s your view? What’s your approach?

Is yours & your organisation’s approach to strategic more of a cerebral, formalised, top-down. Or is it more entrepreneurial. That its the visionary leader who “will take us there”.

So, given then that the word “strategy” is derived from the Greek word “Strategia”, meaning “art of war”, the implication is that its part art, part science. Part feel, part intentional design.

And given that strategy has to do with the direction of your organisation & its scope of activities, what are the questions you need to be asking? What are the timelines you are talking about? How much information do you need for you decision making process?

What are your values?

What then is your vision?

For, it all flows from your vision

 

For more, visit Dellium Advisory, follow on Twitter, connect using LinkedIn, or review my IT-centric blog.

The Strategic Foresight Process

Futures, Strategic Foresight

A successful foresight process has three phases.

The first is the gathering of information, followed by a second phase of translation and interpretation. The final phase consists of outputs where “wisdom” is created.

It is in this second phase that the processes of analysis, interpretation and prospection occur. The meaning of the terms analysis and interpretation are self-evident. However prospection needs clarification. Prospection is the creation of “forward views” or “images of the future”. It is through the application of the methods of prospection including scenario development, visioning, normative methods and backcasting, that defensible forward views are established.

The art and science of this three step strategic foresight process is in the quality and application of the produced wisdom.

 

For more, visit Dellium Advisory, follow on Twitter, connect using LinkedIn, or review my IT-centric blog.

How to get to the Future – “The Future’s Triangle”

Futures, Strategic Foresight

The “Futures Triangle” is a great tool for explaining your, or your organisation’s, actions/inactions/reactions toward the time ahead.

This model postulates that there are three forces to contend with:

  • The pull: what is pulling you toward your future? What visions, images, ideals and so on do you have?
  • The push: what are the changes that are happening anyway? What new technology, what social change, what demographic trend will impact you?
  • The weight: what are the continuities? What are those things that are holding you or your organization back, what inertia is there?

And so, thinking through these three factors may well unlock the future you have been seeking.

For more, visit Dellium Advisory, follow on Twitter, connect using LinkedIn, or review my IT-centric blog.