Problem #1: Failure to Understand the Need to Start Planning in the Future First
Best Practice: Begin with the end in mind - Stephen Covey
Many organizations conduct a SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) as a way to begin their Strategic Planning. There are two problems with this.
First of all, starting with the Current State is akin to getting in your car at home and starting to drive and look at the traffic in the street in front of you and not knowing which way to turn because you have no destination in mind. So, on good Strategic Management, first have to know your purposes and destination. Yogi Berra is reputed to have said that. If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there. He is right, start with your destination, and work backwards to today's Current State in order to go forward.
Secondly, Starting with your Desired Future makes it act like a magnet, pulling your organization into its preferred future. It will create a BIGGER GAP between where you are today and where you want to be in the future will be greater, causing you either to lower your expectations or ensure you have the more transformational Core Strategies required to reach your Vision.
For related knowledge and best practices, visit www.SystemsThinkingPress.com for:
Free Article: ASST: Strategic and Systems Thinking
Model: MSST-02: The Systems Thinking Approach®
Instrument ISST: Are you a Strategic Thinker?
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