The strategic management process is more than just a set of rules to follow. It is a philosophical approach to business. Upper management must think strategically first, then apply that thought to a process. The strategic management process is best implemented when everyone within the business understands the strategy.
The five stages of the process are goal-setting, analysis, strategy formation, strategy implementation and strategy monitoring.
The purpose of goal-setting is to clarify the vision for your business. This stage consists of identifying three key facets: First, define both short- and long-term objectives. Second, identify the process of how to accomplish your objective. Finally, customize the process for your staff, give each person a task with which he can succeed. Keep in mind during this process your goals to be detailed, realistic and match the values of your vision. Typically, the final step in this stage is to write a mission statement that succinctly communicates your goals to both your shareholders and your staff.
Analysis is a key stage because the information gained in this stage will shape the next two stages. In this stage, gather as much information and data relevant to accomplishing your vision. The focus of the analysis should be on understanding the needs of the business as a sustainable entity, its strategic direction and identifying initiatives that will help your business grow. Examine any external or internal issues that can affect your goals and objectives. Make sure to identify both the strengths and weaknesses of your organization as well as any threats and opportunities that may arise along the path.
The first step in forming a strategy is to review the information gleaned from completing the analysis. Determine what resources the business currently has that can help reach the defined goals and objectives. Identify any areas of which the business must seek external resources. The issues facing the company should be prioritized by their importance to your success. Once prioritized, begin formulating the strategy. Because business and economic situations are fluid, it is critical in this stage to develop alternative approaches that target each step of the plan.
Successful strategy implementation is critical to the success of the business venture. This is the action stage of the strategic management process. If the overall strategy does not work with the business' current structure, a new structure should be installed at the beginning of this stage. Everyone within the organization must be made clear of their responsibilities and duties, and how that fits in with the overall goal. Additionally, any resources or funding for the venture must be secured at this point. Once the funding is in place and the employees are ready, execute the plan.
Strategy evaluation and control actions include performance measurements, consistent review of internal and external issues and making corrective actions when necessary. Any successful evaluation of the strategy begins with defining the parameters to be measured. These parameters should mirror the goals set in Stage 1. Determine your progress by measuring the actual results versus the plan.
Monitoring internal and external issues will also enable you to react to any substantial change in your business environment. If you determine that the strategy is not moving the company toward its goal, take corrective actions. If those actions are not successful, then repeat the strategic management process. Because internal and external issues are constantly evolving, any data gained in this stage should be retained to help with any future strategies.
Strategy Evaluation- Strategy evaluation is the final step of strategy management process. The key strategy evaluation activities are: appraising internal and external factors that are the root of present strategies, measuring performance, and taking remedial / corrective actions. Which of the following best defines strategic dissonance? It is a discrepancy between a company's intended strategy and the strategic actions taken by managers while implementing that strategy.
The first step in forming a strategy is to review the information gleaned from completing the analysis. Determine what resources the business currently has that can help reach the defined goals and objectives. Identify any areas of which the business must seek external resources.
Stage 1/ Step 1: Developing a strategic vision, mission, and values. Stage 3/ Step 3: Crafting a strategy to achieve the objectives and move the company along the intended path. Stage 4/ Step 4: Executing the Strategy.
1. Mission, Vision and Values The first step for any business strategy is writing a mission, vision, and values statement. This important step clarifies what the organization is about and what it is trying to achieve. It also determines the values and guiding principles that are used to make business decisions. Without clarity and articulation of vision, organizations are at risk of distraction and steering off course. 2. Strategic Plan Once the mission, vision, and values are written, a strategic plan can be created. The plan identifies the steps needed to achieve the organization’s mission. Strategic plans can be written as long term (1-3 years) or short term (3-6 months). It used to be that strategic plans were written as far out as ten or even twenty years. However, because of the rapidly changing market conditions, shorter-term plans seem to be more common today. 3. Organizational Goals
The five stages of the process are: setting goals or objectives, analysis, strategy formation, strategy implementation, and strategy monitoring. The 5 stages of the strategic management process The strategic management process is more than a set of rules to follow. It is a philosophical approach to business. Top management must think strategically first, then apply that thinking to a process. The process is best implemented when everyone in the business understands the strategy. 1-Goal setting How to set business goals and strategies. The purpose of setting goals is to clarify the business vision. This stage consists of identifying three facets: First, define the short- and long-term objectives. Second, identify the process of how to achieve the objectives. Finally, personalize the process according to our staff, give each member a task with which they can be successful. During this process, check that the objectives are detailed, realistic, and coincide with the values of your business vision. Typically, the final step at this stage is to make these goals and objectives known to all staff.
The board of directors oversees the three levels of strategy in organizations: corporate, strategic business unit, and functional.
Successful strategic management involves three steps: Planning, Execution and Monitoring Developments & Progress. With strategic management, actions speak louder than words. Even effective strategic planning that yields the appropriate decisions can come up short on delivering performance improvements. Strategic Management is a more powerful means of optimizing the long-term performance of an organization. The last key to success is Repetition of the process. A survey by Bain & Company indicated that Strategic Planning was the top choice of senior executives as a business improvement tool. In spite of its popularity, 20% of the respondents in the survey were less than satisfied with how well strategic planning met their expectations. Perhaps these users actually did a poor job with the planning process or chose an inappropriate planning model. Certainly some of them stopped after a successful planning and failed to follow through with the rest of the strategic management process. (Recent survey: http://www.bain.com/publications/articles/management-tools-strategic-planning.aspx)
The strategy making process is the activity by which an organisation defines its strategy and ensures that the defined strategy becomes a reality rather than just an abstract wish list. It involves not only coming up with a strategy but also planning how to execute it and adjusting to unexpected events. The strategy making process is obviously key to business success – and therefore central to research and Executive Education at INSEAD. Indeed, two of our most highly respected professors in this area, Professors Michael Jarett and Quy Huy, co-directors of our innovative new Executive Education program on Strategy Execution have just designed a new six-step “strategy stress test” to facilitate the strategy making process. In the following interview, they present their views (also available in video). Download programme brochure Why does the strategy making process matter so much? Michael Jarrett: What we know is about 60% of strategy execution fails.
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