Strategic Analysis Introduction

Strategic Analysis

Strategic analysis is a critical component of the strategic planning process.  An integral part of a company’s evaluation and control program, it provides managers with a comprehensive assessment of the organization’s capabilities and market factors; revealing growth opportunities and vulnerabilities.  Armed with this information, managers can more effectively choose from among today’s strategic alternatives to create the greatest future reward potential.

Strategic analysis combines in-depth information from a number of internal and external sources to create a picture of the subject company’s current health and future viability.  A multi-phased approach to data acquisition and analysis includes:

  • Strategic Posture and Performance Analysis
  • Internal Capabilities Assessment
  • External Environment Assessment
  • Analysis of Strategic Factors
  • Strategic Alternatives and Recommended Actions

Execution of these iterative processes takes place throughout the year with a frequency dictated by the pace of both internal and external environmental change.

Posts in this category are dedicated to discussing the leading practices of companies that successfully execute strategic analysis processes to support the ongoing strategic planning process.

Additional Information

Additional information regarding strategic analysis can be found in the StrategyDriven whitepaper series Strategic Planning. Whitepapers are available to Registered Members and registration is FREE! If you have not already registered, please do so and join the conversation.

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Organizational Performance Measures Best Practice 3 - Common Construction Characteristics

Organizational Performance Measures

The benefits of vertically cascaded and horizontally shared performance measures are maximized when the related measures share a common set of characteristics.  Common construction of vertically cascaded measures enables easy roll-up of lower tiered measures to create higher tiered benchmarks.  Horizontally shared measures having similar construction characteristics are more readily comparable, thus enhancing the evaluation and decision-making processes.

When developing a vertically cascaded and horizontally shared performance measurement system, care should be taken to ensure that associated performance measures share common characteristics.  These characteristics include: Read More »

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Essentials of Strategic Management

Recommended Resources


Essentials of Strategic Management (4th Edition)
by J. David Hunger and Thomas L. Wheelen

About the Reference

The Essentials of Strategic Management (4th Edition) by J. David Hunger and Thomas L. Wheelen focuses on the founding principles and methods employed in both strategic planning and execution. Topics include strategy formulation, implementation, and control.

Benefits of Using this Reference

StrategyDriven contributors like this reference because its presentation is concise and direct while at the same time providing the detail needed to give the reader a fundamental understanding of strategic planning and execution. This book provides a full array of easy to follow tools and instructions that are ready for use by organizations of any size.

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Recommended Resources Introduction

Recommended Resources

Posts in this category highlight the many print, audio, video, webcast, and seminar resources that have significantly contributed to the successful business planning and execution activities of StrategyDriven contributors.  We highlight the topics covered by each resource and why we believe the benefits will outweigh your time investment.

Please note that whenever possible, a link is provided to expedite access of the recommended materials.  In some cases, the providers require registering with their site.  In other instances, the product link is directed to Amazon.com where the item can be purchased.  StrategyDriven does receive a nominal contribution for products purchased from Amazon.com via our link which we then applied to our webhosting costs.

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Strategic Planning Best Practice 2 – Prioritize the Mission

Strategic Planning

Ideally, an organization’s mission statement would convey a singular purpose. However, mission statements often enumerated several purposes, such as creating shareholder value, contributing to the community, and offering workforce prosperity. When this occurs, organizations struggle to serve multiple masters.

Prioritizing the mission establishes the relative importance of an organization’s multiple purposes; focusing decisions and driving actions toward achievement of the organization’s primary purpose while allowing progress to be made on objectives of lesser importance. The amount of emphasis given to each purpose should make their relative importance obvious to all members of the organization. Additionally, decision-making should demonstratively reflect and reinforce the mission priorities such that a proportionate amount of managerial attention and organizational resources are applied to the achievement of each purpose.

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