Alternative Development – Introduction

Leaders face the difficult challenge of selecting those few operational activities their organization will pursue from the multitude that are proposed every planning cycle. In order to make these decisions, they need detailed assessments of the costs, benefits, and risks associated with each proposed initiative; including both ongoing operational and newly proposed activities.

Providing leaders with the information needed to make the best investment selections for the organization is a daunting task. Information provided must be complete, unbiased, comparative. Analyses must consider quantitative factors as well as the qualitative aspects of each option. And almost unreasonably, planners will be asked to make predictions about the organization’s and marketplace’s future.

Focus of the Alternative Development Topic

Resources in this topic area are dedicated to discussing the key principles and practices of developing high quality business cases from which organizational investment decisions can be made. The following articles, podcasts, documents, and resources cover those topics foundational to effective alternative development.

Articles

Best Practices

• Best Practice – Reality Questions    [StrategyDriven Premium Content]
• Best Practice – Organizationally Developed Options    [StrategyDriven Premium Content]
• Best Practice – Common Assumptions, Variables, and Calculational Methods    [StrategyDriven Premium Content]
• Best Practice – Common Cost and Value Identifiers    [StrategyDriven Premium Content]

Warning Flags

• Warning Flag – Developing Business Cases First    [StrategyDriven Premium Content]

Resources

Books

• Essentials of Strategic Management by J. David Hunger and Thomas L. Wheelen

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Related Articles:

1. Alternative Development Best Practice 1 – Reality Questions
2. Alternative Development Best Practice 4 – Common Cost and Value Identifiers
3. Alternative Development Warning Flag 1 – Developing Business Cases First
4. Alternative Development Best Practice 2 – Organizationally Developed Options
5. Alternative Selection – Introduction