I N S I G H T | 4 mins. read
The 7W Questions Leaders Should Ask Before Starting your Strategic Planning Process
Strategic Planning, Creative Thinking, Setting Direction
For leaders, managers, facilitators, project managers, etc.
Harvard Business Review (HBR) article on closing the strategy-execution gap suggests that being inflexible with one's strategy from the start is a key contributor to a breakdown in strategy. It suggests taking an agile approach – a Decide Do/Refine Do approach to test and learn rather than being attached to rigid plans.
In addition, some common failures of strategic planning also stem from existing internal challenges such as poor communication, unclear purpose for engaging in the process in the first place, or not adapting fast enough. To avoid these pitfalls, here are 7W questions to consider before embarking on your strategy process.