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Strategic direction is a set of foundational ideas that provide consistency to strategy over time. This serves to unite the strategies of an organization and provide stability of direction over the long term. The following are common types of strategic direction.
MissionA mission defines your purpose as an organization. If your mission is to provide the highest quality bicycles on the market then this provides long term strategic direction that calls for prioritizing quality over other goals such as cost savings.VisionA vision statement paints a picture of the future of a society, city or organization. This is a basic way to provide strategic direction alongside a mission statement. For example, a city with a vision of a high quality of life, zero pollution and expansive green spaces can use this vision to prioritize current planning and spending.
CultureCulture is the set of behaviors, expectations and norms that evolve in a society, city or organization as a result of the shared experiences of its members. Culture is difficult to change but acts as a strong form of strategic direction. For example, a department store that has a deeply ingrained service culture with respect for the customer will easily implement improvements to customer service where other firms fail.
IdeologyIdeology is a system of ideas and values that provide social, economic, political and moral direction. Ideologies provide strategic direction to a society such that policies remain consistent and stable over time.PrinciplesPrinciples are foundational guidelines or rules that provide direction to future strategy and decision making. For example, a technology company that establishes the information security principle that all data be strongly encrypted in storage and transit. This leaves no excuse for lapses of encryption and provides strategic direction to new projects and initiatives.
ValuesValues are principles that relate to matters of right and wrong. For example, a technology company that establishes the sustainability principle that energy be procured from the most sustainable source available and used as efficiently as possible.Grand StrategyGrand strategy is a long term strategy that considers every possible approach and tool at your disposal. In some cases, an organization's current strategy may appear to be irrational but makes sense when you have a view of its grand strategy. For example, an electric car manufacturer that opens up its patents for free use by the competition. This may be viewed as irrational by its shareholders as they view the patents as valuable assets. However, this may speed the adoption of electric vehicles and related infrastructure such as charging stations that ensure the technology wins over competing approaches such as hydrogen vehicles. A grand strategy provides strategic direction over time and represents a long term optimization of strategy over short term considerations.|
| Type | | | Definition | A mechanism that provides consistency to strategy over time. | | Related Concepts | |
Strategic Thinking
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