Strategic thinking and operational thinking may seem like two separate planes of existence. Strategic thinking is different from strategic planning in that: strategic thinking includes all types of information sources while strategic planning does not. More and more, organizations are learning that past experiences are not always the best basis for developing future strategies. Many strategic plans fail or are abandoned. strategic planning and operational planning to develop business strategies that have a greater chance for success Second, the paper evaluates the strategic management process within I hope that our sharing today inspires you to be intentional around developing this skill of strategy making as well as carefully choosing the strategic planning model that will best suit your needs. In his book Fifteen Things Common to Great Achievers, author Israelmore Ayivor shared, “A dream is the frame or portrait or a construction or focus of one’s vision by means of perception, based on what he or she knows and settles within via strategic thinking.” Developing tactics that fall within realm of one of the strategic priorities. When done correctly, strategic planning is not a one-time or annual event. Technology 2. Overall, strategic thinking is the first building block in operating strategically at all levels of the organization. Mastering Agile Organizational Design Certification, Mastering Execution for the Public Sector Certification, Strategic Foresight and Scenario-Based Planning, Association for Strategy Planning Exam Preparation, Strategic Planning, Execution and Management, Strategic Foresight and Scenario-Based Planning (Training and Consulting), Good Governance and Board Leadership Development, Strategic Management Blog: From Theory to Practice, Free Strategic Management Competency Assessment. Strategic thinking is different from strategic planning. So in our attempt to remain practical and engaged in the “real world” of our clients’ business, we underscore that at its essence, “Strategic Thinking” is a way of viewing challenges and opportunities from a variety of perspectives and altitudes, in order to proffer the very best solutions and directions. 4. With strategic thinking skills, managers and high-potentials are able to better allocate time and resources toward current needs while anticipating and planning for future hurdles as well. The strategic planning is an analytical activity because it is related to the thinking. Strategic planning/management gives voice, action and structure to strategic thinking. But analysis must come first. It … Finally, during the all-important evaluation and control phase, strategic thinking ensures that an organization is measuring those drivers which best lead to success of the overall mission. Many people conflate these two concepts. Broadening your understanding of the environment. Strategic thinking requires agility and decisiveness in choosing a plan and sticking with it. Strategic thinking and subse- quent management must result in action. We’ve chosen to speak about both because strategic thinking is the foundation for strategic planning. A company often goes through a strategic planning process once a year, creating a document that is, in essence, a guidebook for the … We would say this is not enough to make a plan strategic. Aim for S.M.A.R.T. The photo on the right is an example of a well worded strategic goal or direction. Keep asking yourself “why?”. Strategic thinking must guide the commander’s choices on a daily basis. Strategic planning is a process (see above, RE: report that sits on a shelf), while strategic thinking is about vision, intuition, and creativity. Type of thinking: Chronological, preventative, wholistic. Mastering Strategy: Strategic Management Performance System Certification, Strategic Thinking Professional Development, Strategic Planning & Management Consulting Services, ← The 5 Most Important Factors to Successfully Implement Strategy, Slouching Toward Failure: 5 Reasons Organizations Lose Sight of Their Core Values →, The Secret Power of “Community Surveys” to Accelerate Agile Organization Design. However, you have to be aware of new, more promising opportunities. During the high-level strategy formation phase, leaders thinking strategically will drive alignment around analyzing the opportunities from the widest possible perspective and understanding. You should also end up with three to four core foci  (strategic goals or directions) that help you make decisions about what to  put your energy into in the future. You are also being thoughtful around future opportunities and threats. To think strategically means to see and understand the bigger picture of what the organization is, where it needs to go, and how it will get there. That said, training and cultivating an organizational culture to think strategically is a vital tool throughout the strategic planning process. Tips: You need to be relaxed to be able to think positively about a current bad situation. Will Online Meetings Become a Whole New Offshoot of Facilitation? You are as accurate as possible about identifying root causes. (Adapted by Barbara MacKay from: Technology of Participation, Herrmann Brain Dominance theory and others). It is never about time or money. Borrow or beg “shamelessly” from other people’s “good” ideas or projects elsewhere. This in an excerpt from another interview of BPI by OPR (Organizational Performance Resources) a consortium of performance experts organized by Bill Harshman.. BPI: Once the new strategic vision has been established a plan is developed to realize that vision. It’s not just a way of thinking what could be, but also a way of seeing what should be. The two not only work together…but they require each other. When done well, we could say that strategic thinking makes a person more “futures ready;” that is, having an attitude that is comfortable with change, anticipates change, and … If you also love what process facilitation can do for the world, connect with her – virtually or in person. leverage], Want to not “do things the way they have always been done around here”, Have inaccurate information and/or conclusions, and are able to treat any conclusions as tentative or hypotheses. strategic thinking is regimented and confining, whereas strategic planning is … A key distinction between strategic thinking and strategic planning is that the former occurs on a regular basis, … ToP Strategic Planning in Portland, Oregon(Prerequisite: ToP Facilitation Methods). … It may also extend to control mechanisms for guiding the implementation of the strategy.”, A second definition we found was, “A systematic process of envisioning a desired future, and translating this vision into broadly defined goals or objectives and a sequence of steps to achieve them. Strategic planning is the process of developing a blueprint for the work you will do against that direction. In this blog, I offer some of my material from a strategic thinking course that I have developed for government leaders as well as material from our learning modules and the key strategic planning model that I use. Difference Between Strategic planning vs Strategic management. © 2018 North Star Facilitators. For some, strategic thinking and planning are distinct modes that are both useful at different stages in the strategic management process (e.g., Mintzberg); others posit that strategic thinking is not so much creative as analytical (Porter). Most of us are “getting through” life and work reasonably using our current thinking skills and abilities, experience and knowledge. However, strategic planning is useful to help in strategic thinking, strategy development, decision-making, performance improvement, and to build camaraderie (14). She thinks BIG! While it is great to be able to create goals and objectives to take the business to the next level, there also needs to be a plan in place to get there. Adopting a strategic mindset is essential for life sciences executives tasked with increasing profits, delighting customers and retaining talent. Demonstrating strategic thinking, on the other hand, requires that you are simultaneously a marketer, a salesperson, and a change agent. Type of thinking: Visionary, forward-thinking. Both strategic management and strategic planning are keys to business success in any industry, but few know the difference between the two. Those decisions must support or help move forward one of more of your strategic goals or directions. The problem is that strategic planning proponents believe that analysis encompasses synthesis; that in the best practice, strategic planning, strategic thinking, and strategy making are synonymous. She loves working with other facilitators around the globe to create transformational results for client groups. Some common scenarios that lead people to the need for strategic planning include: What are the steps to strategic planning? She loves presenting at global facilitator conferences. Brainstorming strategic priorities/options. In contrast to tactical planning (which focuses at achieving narrowly defined interim objectives with predetermined means), strategic planning looks at the wider picture and is flexible in choice of its means.” (businessdictionary.com). Something went wrong. Tips: You are being honest and realistic about your current resources and abilities to rectify or change  a situation. Strategic thinking is the 'what' and 'why' of the planning process. Strategic planning involves the identification of actions to be taken. Strategic planning is an application of strategic thinking that involves teams, organizations or communities. During the operational and implementation phase, a strategic thinking organization will ensure that the higher level strategic direction cascades throughout the day-to-day decision making at all levels. Stay informed on the latest strategic management insights, leadership development trends and upcoming training programs. strategic thinking relies more on hard data than strategic planning. When you include all the critical steps, incorporate sound processes for strategic planning and have an experienced facilitator guiding you, you will find yourself falling in love with strategic thinking and planning. Strategic planning is only useful if it supports strategic thinking and leads to strategic management and, even more importantly, execution. In other words, about where you would like to be as an organization and how you get there, Dissecting strategic thinking versus strategic planning: Dynamic rather than static; Flexible rather than rigid Strategic thinking informs strategic planning/management. Strategic thinking is a skill set that can be applied to any complex problem solving process. Based on our thinking on strategic thinking above, we would urge you to also consider that strategic is about ensuring you and the group really dig deeply to look at what gets in the way of implementing your vision. Systems Thinking in Strategic Planning One of the most useful tools for good strategy analysis is systems thinking. It is a skill that can be used on a daily basis, on your own or in groups. Strategic planning models very a lot. This belief, in turn, rests on the assumptions that prediction is possible and that the strategy-making process can be formalized. Definition – Strategic thinking is a skill. It is typically conducted every 3-5 years to help groups grow and continually evolve to address changing needs. Articulating the underlying obstacles. 3. Imagining a different future desired state. There is even confusion among business and management experts. This means looking at root causes or in the Technology of Participation (ToP) model of strategic planning, we call this contradictions to the vision. What’s the difference between the two, you ask? Every  important or high impact decision that comes up after a planning process should  be screened. Flexibility is a critical element of strategic thinking. Please check your entries and try again. Tips: You are scanning the internal and external environment for everything you know about the situation. As a cognitive activity, it produces thought.. Why bother with continuing to learn and practice the specifics of strategic thinking and planning? Strategic thinking is the process of determining the direction you will take to achieve your vision. She believes facilitation processes, used well, will provide the roadmap to a more just and sustainable world. At LBL Strategies, we suggest that “strategic planning/management” and “strategic thinking” exist in a symbiotic relationship.