Strat-ology's Four Step Planning Process

The scope outlines the parameters of the strategic plan and shows clearly how the it will create value for the client. The purpose of the scope is to:

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1. Understand the main intent of the planning effort.

2. Gain an overview of the client’s business model, competitive environments, key operational challenges, and performance indicators.

3. Pinpoint the key deliverables the client expects to receive from the planning process.

4. Forge a strong relationship with the client and develop clear expectations around communication and deliverables.

Phase 1 of Step 2 involves doing the necessary research and analysis to develop an in-depth, multifaceted, data-driven understanding of the client’s business model and industry context.  

 

Phase 2 of Step 2 involves presenting a narrative that suggests potential resolutions and pathways to deal with key strategic challenges. The hallmarks of Step 2 include:

 

• Substantive client, stakeholder & expert engagement.

• ​​Strong primary & secondary research.

• ​Strat-ology’s careful & thoughtful analysis of the client's internal circumstances & industry dynamics.

• ​Data driven performance forecasting.

Strategy is only as good as its implementation.  Strat-ology will work to understand the value creating assets and behaviours that will need to be put in place to achieve the recommended strategy.  Strat-ology will help you consider:

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• How to leverage internal and external stakeholders to operationalize recommendations.

• How to create a sense of collective identity between groups inside the organization to facilitate change.

• ​How to pace the implementation to maximize success.

• How to plan for different scenarios that hedge against emerging challenges and remove key obstacles.

The final report  (presented in written or slide deck format) will: ill: :

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• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the client and their proposed areas of transformation. 

• Make strong use of secondary and primary data to test managerial assumptions, push the client to think about their issues in a new and innovative way, identify best practices, and recommend areas of competitive advantage. 

• Take the client from problem definition to recommendations and implementation in a way that is clear, and data driven.