For your strategic planning efforts consider your approach to bridging the gap between the strategic and the tactical. Often companies will embark on their strategic planning efforts and not take it to the next level. That is the tactical level. There is a lesson learned here as companies that don’t take the time to translate their strategic plans into tactical plans are less likely to succeed. There are a few things that companies can do to make sure they optimize positive outcomes. Consider the following:- Develop work plans that are tied to the strategic plans. These work plans should have enough details that the tactical professionals, managers, leads and project managers know what they need to do to flush out the details.
- Build in communications through meeting with your direct reports and reviewing the strategy map and road map with them so they know what is on the business horizon. It is amazing how many executives and business owners don’t follow through. The best follow through is to review with your key people and then coach them on what they need to do.
- Teach your people to know what three to five things are on the strategic agenda and why they are important. The tactical and operation teams should know the answer to this question. However, it is up to the senior management team to engage the teams that will be doing the work on the ‘what’ and the ‘why’. Let the tactical teams figure out the ‘how’.
This is an important to do and should be on your list. Always make the linkage from the strategic to the tactical.
Questions: In what way does your company link the strategic to the tactical?
