Conducting SWOT analysis (identifying an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) is one of the most commonly used activities in strategic planning. It is also an activity most often done poorly. Here are three ideas to improve your SWOTing: 1. Be Systematic. Don’t just ask people on your strategic planning committee what they think your SWOTs … [Read more...] about More Effective SWOTing
Strategy
A Cool Tool Gets Cooler
A couple of years ago I blogged about the Organization Capacity Assessment Tool (OCAT) that McKinsey & Co developed in partnership with Venture Philanthropy Partners (“A Cool Tool”). Well, now the 2.0 version is out and it is even cooler. The OCAT allows an organization to perform a thorough self-analysis of its operations and performance. It asks questions in seven … [Read more...] about A Cool Tool Gets Cooler
What is Strategy? Part IV
Strategy is an integrated explanation of how an organization is going to guide its performance into the future. In Part IV of “What is Strategy?” we put everything together. You have chosen your future with your Vision & Strategic Goals, and you have discerned your SWOTs. Your Strategy answers the question “How do we get from there (your Current Reality) to here (your … [Read more...] about What is Strategy? Part IV
What is Strategy? Part III
Strategy is an integrated explanation of how an organization is going to guide its performance into the future. In Part III of "What is Strategy?" we consider your current reality. Once you have identified the future to which you are headed (e.g., Vision, Goals) then the obvious question is “How are we going to get there?” But don’t start brainstorming just yet. Before … [Read more...] about What is Strategy? Part III
What is Strategy? Part II
Strategy is an integrated explanation of how an organization is going to guide its performance into the future. In installment #2 of “What is Strategy?” we consider an organization’s future. If Strategy guides performance “into the future, ” then an obvious question is “Where are you going?” To answer that question, I first suggest that an organization identify its Mission … [Read more...] about What is Strategy? Part II