Get strategy off the shelf

What’s the name of your last Shelf Strategy?

You know the one – where you did all those workshops and argued over semantics.

The one where you wrote a list of nice-sounding objectives and made sure you didn’t leave anything out that might upset your politicians or key stakeholders.

Yeah... that one. The programme or organisational strategy document that’s delivered precious little, and no one can quite remember what it says.

Don’t feel bad – they are everywhere.

The good news is – it doesn’t have to be this way. With the right tools, processes and attitude, we can make Shelf Strategy a thing of the past.

Enter: Actionable Strategy.

Actionable Strategy is Shelvable Strategy’s hot cousin. It's a bit risky, but everyone loves it because it’s exciting and good things seem to happen when it’s around.

Public sector strategy can be extremely difficult to get off the ground, and not just because of the unique operating environment (see last week's post on the layer of crazy.)

Unclear strategic vision, a big gap between thinking and doing activities, and an overwhelming operational management burden are holding us back from taking action where it can have the most impact.

More shelf strategy is not the answer - it's time to be brave, push back and craft targeted, meaningful calls to action!

“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius — and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction.” ― E.F. Schumacher

How to... Develop Actionable Strategy

• Keep it lean - Specific, targeted and concise.

• Consider implementation at the beginning - Pressure-test with delivery staff.

• Worry less about language and more about impact.