strategic thinking
STRATEGIC THINKING
Contents
Introduction 3
Perspectives of strategic thinking 4
Rational thinking perspective 4
General thinking perspective 5
A model of elements of strategic thinking 6
System perspective 6
Intent focused 6
Intelligent opportunitism 7
Thinking in time 7
Hypothesis driven 7
Levels of strategic thinking 7
Strategic Thinking at the Individual Level 7
Strategic Thinking at the Organizational Level 7
The strategic thinking process 8
Bibliography 10
Introduction
Strategic thinking is using analogies and qualitatives similarities to develop creative new ideas. This differs from strategic planning which focuses on following preprogrammed rules. Strategic thinking focuses on the strategy. The question is how managers should organize their thinking to achieve a successful strategic reasoning process. The ability to think strategically, is crucial to remaining competitive in an increasingly turbulent and global environment.
Campbell and Alexander(1997) came up with an approach to strategic thinking. They delineate three elements; (1) insight into operating issues: with benchmarking other organizations, process re-engineering and total quality management organizations should look for opportunities to increase continuously the way they do things, (2) future gazing: exponents of chaos theory warn of the need always to be ready for the unexpected and unpredictable, therefore, the emphasis is on discontinuous change and the idea of reinventing and hence controlling developments in the industry. That is, establishing new rules of competition and seizing the high ground ahead of any rivals, (3) behavior and culture: without a clear and communicated vision and direction and with an absence of employees who are willing to engage the future and look for change opportunities, strategic thinking will be very limited and unimaginative.
Strategic reasoning is meant to deal with strategic problems. Strategic problems are set of
Contents
Introduction 3
Perspectives of strategic thinking 4
Rational thinking perspective 4
General thinking perspective 5
A model of elements of strategic thinking 6
System perspective 6
Intent focused 6
Intelligent opportunitism 7
Thinking in time 7
Hypothesis driven 7
Levels of strategic thinking 7
Strategic Thinking at the Individual Level 7
Strategic Thinking at the Organizational Level 7
The strategic thinking process 8
Bibliography 10
Introduction
Strategic thinking is using analogies and qualitatives similarities to develop creative new ideas. This differs from strategic planning which focuses on following preprogrammed rules. Strategic thinking focuses on the strategy. The question is how managers should organize their thinking to achieve a successful strategic reasoning process. The ability to think strategically, is crucial to remaining competitive in an increasingly turbulent and global environment.
Campbell and Alexander(1997) came up with an approach to strategic thinking. They delineate three elements; (1) insight into operating issues: with benchmarking other organizations, process re-engineering and total quality management organizations should look for opportunities to increase continuously the way they do things, (2) future gazing: exponents of chaos theory warn of the need always to be ready for the unexpected and unpredictable, therefore, the emphasis is on discontinuous change and the idea of reinventing and hence controlling developments in the industry. That is, establishing new rules of competition and seizing the high ground ahead of any rivals, (3) behavior and culture: without a clear and communicated vision and direction and with an absence of employees who are willing to engage the future and look for change opportunities, strategic thinking will be very limited and unimaginative.
Strategic reasoning is meant to deal with strategic problems. Strategic problems are set of
Bibliography: Don de Wit, R. M. (1998). Stategy. Thomson. Liedtka, J. (1998). strategic thinking. can it be taught? long range planning , 481-487. Sharifi, E. (2011). strategic thinking; a practical view. ideal type of management , 71-84. Stanleigh, M. (h.t.). Business Improvement Architects. Imechukuliwa toka Role of Strategic Thinking in Business Planning: http://www.bia.ca/articles/TheRoleofStrategicThinkinginBusinessPlanning.htm