Strategic Planning Processes

All strategic planning processes begin with a realistic assessment or self-examination of the organization, entity, or person. In fact, almost any substantive effort follows such an appraisal, evaluation, or comparably ascertained information with which to engender forthcoming decisions. Omitting this foundational step usually results in a substantial waste of resources as one collects essentially the same information through a disjointed series of highly inefficient, expensive, and fragmentary processes. To put this in other words, without a realistic assessment, one 's endeavors quickly reduce to an effort in futility while attempting to plan in a vacuum while searching for some fortuitous event to carry them through to a vague or otherwise …show more content…
As an illustration, any organization which undergoes such an investigation would also amass a portfolio of proprietary assets such as investment capital, intellectual property, specialized staff, and specific proficiencies. Contemplating a major project is futile unless one has a clear and concise understanding of what tools, knowledge, or other resources are available to perform a task or assign to a project. If that study reveals inadequate proprietary assets necessary to reasonably achieve a desired or otherwise declared objective, alternative means to gain such expertise, as well as their acquisition costs, become viable options to consider. In fact, in the private sector, this is where merger and acquisition activities become a legitimate route to gain those skills or specialties deemed too arduous to develop in a reasonable timeframe. Radiation’s acquisition of Harris is a wonderful example of one organization seeking specific technology to innovate its product line, albeit with completely different long-term results than originally expected. Still, in other instances, organizations will often turn to third-parties for both assistance in conducting these types of assessments as well as providing resources considered deficient …show more content…
As noted, strategic decisions are inherently risky largely due to their long-term nature. This process seeks to mitigate those risks by removing ambiguity and replacing it with knowledge and clarity. And it is absolutely one of the reasons it remains such a highly prioritized activity in organizations of all sizes across the globe. However, the mission here is to apply this process to strategic decisions made by an individual and in the framework to one’s life. In contemporary society there is, in all probability, no bigger decision than that which relates to a career. Doesn’t it seem logical to accompany such a critical decision with a method that might enhance or give focus to that