Strategic Planning


Strategic planning refers to the process by which an organization maps out its economic future, and the steps by which it will achieve its business purpose over time. This process typically considers four factors: internal Strengths and Weaknesses, and external Opportunities and Threats (SWOT being the common acronym). It also identifies the goals, functions, priorities, and resources that will be necessary to achieve its purpose. Over the last half century there have been at least six major swings or phases in strategic planning (see Fastpaths 1995, Koch) and the paradigm march continues. Where training tends to function at the managerial level and organizational development at the executive level, strategic planning tends to occur at the boardroom level.

Fastpaths

1962

Alfred Chandler: Strategy and Structure. One of the first major books in the field, defined strategy as setting long-term goals and objectives, determining a course of action, and allocating resources to achieve those goals.

1980

Michael Porter: Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors. Porter remains an academic phenomenon to this day, but is difficult to access for the uninitiated.

1982

Kenichi Ohmae: The Mind of the Strategies: The Art of Japanese Business. Still one of the best explanations of how strategy plays out in the real world.

1988

John Bryson: Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations: A Guide to Strengthening and Sustaining Organizational Achievement.

1994

Gary Hamel and C. K. Prahalad: Competing for the Future.

1994

Henry Mintzberg: The Rise and Fall of Strategic Planning: Reconceiving Roles for Planning, Plans, Planners.

1995

Marvin Weisbord: Future Search: An Action Guide to Finding Common Ground in Organizations and Communities.

1995

Richard Koch: The Financial Times Guide to Strategy: How to Create and Deliver a Useful Strategy. A superb book for the beginner as well as intermediate practitioner. Koch, with great lucidity, explains not only the theory but also the practice, including a do-it-yourself guide in Part I. Concludes with an A to Z of strategic thinkers, tools and techniques, and concepts and definitions. A great book to start with.

1997

Sumantra Ghoshal and Christopher Bartlett: The Individualized Organization. Stresses people, processes, and purpose.

2002

Tony Manning: Making Sense of Strategy. Manning addresses the philosophy, products, positioning, and partners that go into strategic planning. A clear, brief exposition of the topic.

See also Organizational Development




The 30-Second Encyclopedia of Learning and Performance. A Trainer's Guide to Theory, Terminology, and Practice
The 30-Second Encyclopedia of Learning and Performance: A Trainers Guide to Theory, Terminology, and Practice
ISBN: 0814471781
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2002
Pages: 110

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