The Un-Strategic Plan
Is strategic planning necessary? I'll line up for strategic thinking, but strategic planning? You go first.
Sure, sure. I’m a facilitator and I do help teams with strategy. But, out of the gate, I can think of four main problems with most strategic planning processes I’ve seen and even led (sigh):
SPs take too much time and effort. If our planning processes exhaust our people, we might want to rethink them. Also, some people in our organizations have no interest in strategy – and maybe that’s just fine.
SPs attempt to predict the unpredictable. Past performance may not be an indicator of future success (I know!). The world moves too fast to make long-term bets on the future.
SPs forefront shiny objects. We love big, new, and novel. Exciting! But most customers want us to get better at delivering our core products and services. Nah, boring!
SPs lack commitment to execution. We make our plans look nice. We print copies for everyone. But pretty design doesn’t get the work done. The work part? Buried in team implementation plans (too messy for the glossy brochure).
I was talking about this with a colleague earlier this week (Hi, Elaine!) and we were laughing about creating an Un-Strategic Plan. Our plan would:
List all the projects that we’re going to stop doing. Most people want to add more stuff. It is time to subtract. Enter the Project Blacklist.
Skip the SWOT analysis. Teams rarely take an unflinching look in the mirror. Don’t believe me? Read the Threat section of most SWOTs. Nothing dire noted.
Abandon five-year objectives. Goals need a shorter horizon. Vision needs a longer horizon. Five-years doesn’t work for either. Let’s go for two-year goals and twenty-year visions.
Replace strategic actions with rules of engagement. No need for mini-project plans, timelines and milestones on Day One. Treat your teams like Top Chef. Stock the pantry. Issue the challenge. Start the timer. Let them cook.
Ok, so we’re having a bit of fun. Join in.
What would be in your Un-Strategic Plan?
Inspiration
Conversation with Elaine Lasda.