Strategic Planning: The strategy consulting ultimate guide

In this lesson we will introduce the Strategic Planning course and highlight what are the key lessons and elements you will learn

In this lesson we will discuss the importance of strategic planning to all companies, and make an overview of the strategic planning process that you will learn, that is used by the top tier strategy consulting firms.

In this lesson, we will go into a bit more detail on each of the four main phases of the Strategic Planning process.

After this lesson you will have a complete view of the entire process and the key actions, outputs and deliverables of each of the main phases.

In this lesson, we will start addressing the setup phase, which is what marks the beginning of the whole process.

Specifically we will discuss one very important element of the setup phase, which is to build the right project team.

In the end of this lecture you will understand the importance of building the right team, what are the four main types of teams critical for the success of the process, and how to best leverage them.

In this lesson, we will continue addressing the setup phase, following up on the last lesson about building the project team.

We will specifically discuss the data request.

In the end of the lecture you will understand the data request is important, how to maximize the quality and timeliness of the data received, the type of data most commonly used in Strategic Planning, and we will go through a real example used in a recent project.

You will have access to the editable example, so you can use in your situations.

In this lesson, we will continue addressing the setup phase, following up on the last lessons about the project team and the data request.

We will specifically discuss the project calendar, and go through all the main working sessions that are part of a Strategic Planning process.

In the end of this lecture you will understand the importance to align the process calendar and schedule the main sessions from the start, what are the goals and other structural elements of the Strategic Planning main sessions.

In this lesson, we will finalize the setup phase, following up on the last lessons about the project team, the data request and the project calendar.

Specifically we will go into the details of the kick-off session, which marks the start of the actual process of Strategic Planning.

In the end of this lesson you will understand the importance of running a successful kick-off session, how to structure it, and we will go through a real example used in a recent project.

You will have access to the editable example, so you can use in your situations.

In this lesson, we will start addressing the first part of the vision definition phase, which is focused on getting all the inputs to inform the decision making process ahead.

Today we will go into the details of the beliefs audits with key stakeholders, which is usually one of the first things to conduct.

In the end of this lecture you will understand the importance of beliefs audits and learn the general guidelines of how to execute them.

In this lesson, we will continue the process of getting the inputs to inform our strategic decisions, following the last lesson where we discussed the importance and process of conducting beliefs audits with key stakeholders.

Specifically we will discuss how to get incisive and objective feedback from clients and partners so you can enrich your discovery process.

In the end of this lecture you will understand the importance of getting feedback from clients in the early part of the process and learn the general guidelines on how to maximize the value you extract from it.

In this lesson, we will continue the process of getting the inputs to inform our strategic decisions, following the last lesson where we discussed the importance of getting unbiased and objective feedback from clients, through a set of interviews.

Specifically we will discuss how to make a diagnosis of the company, to understand strengths that can be leveraged and weaknesses that should be addressed.

In the end of this lecture you will understand the importance of making a strong, outside in diagnosis of the company and learn the guidelines on how to execute it, including the typical questions to ask about each part of the company.

In this lesson, we will continue the discussion on the company diagnosis phase and.

Building on the guidelines and tips we presented in the last lesson we will go through some output examples.

In the end of this lecture you will have a clear view of the type of analysis that are relevant and the actual deliverables created.

All the examples will be available in editable mode for you to use in your situations.

In this lesson, we will continue our journey in the vision definition phase and initiate the discussion on how to assess the market and external context to identify opportunities and threats to your business.

Specifically we will discuss how to understand the main trends shaping the market and the company external context.
In the end of this lecture you will understand the importance of analyzing market trends, the different types of trends and the guidelines to study them and draw implications for the company's future.

In this lesson, we will continue our journey in the market assessment step, focusing on the remaining core elements of this step which are the market sizing and competitive environment.

In the end if this lecture you will understand the importance of sizing the current and future markets and knowing the competitive environment. You will know how to apply the different approaches to market sizing and study the competition to understand how to best position in the market.

In this lesson, we will continue the discussion on the market assessment phase and, building on the guidelines and tips we presented in the last two lessons we will go through some output examples.

In the end of this lecture you will have a clear view of the type of analysis that are relevant and the actual deliverables created.

All the examples will be available in editable mode for you to use in your situations.

In this lesson, we will finalize the first part of the vision definition phase, by summarizing all our inputs and implications so we can better inform our decisions later in the process.

In the end of this lesson you will know what the SWOT framework is and how it can be used to summarize all the learnings from the company diagnosis and market assessment and prepare for the priorities decision making. 

In this lesson, we will initiate the second part of our vision definition phase, which is all about using the inputs we gathered so far to make decisions end establish the priorities for the company.

We will start with discussing how to establish the strategic options.

In the end of this lecture you will understand the importance of making the right questions and know what are the different approaches to lay out the strategic options for the company.

In this lesson, we will continue the discussion of establishing the right strategic options for the company and deep dive on the several frameworks you can use to approach this step.

Specifically we will discuss the frameworks to address the type of questions focused on improving the current core businesses.

In the end of this lesson you will be familiar with a set of very useful frameworks, like the "Value stick", the "Internal value chain" and the "Stakeholders group", that you can adapt to your situation and have the knowledge of when to use each of them.

In this lesson, we will finalize the discussion of establishing the right strategic options for the company and deep dive on the last set of frameworks you can use to approach this step.

Specifically we will discuss the frameworks to address the type of questions focused on transforming the business.

In the end of this lesson you will be familiar with a set of very useful frameworks, like the "Adjacencies framework", the "Four dimensions of growth" and the "Scenario generator",  that you can adapt to your situation and have the knowledge of when to use each of them.

In this lesson, we will continue the process of building our vision and strategy and discuss the importance and guidelines for evaluating the strategic options that have been laid out.

In the end of this lecture you will understand the process of evaluating the several strategic options and selecting a set of them to include in the strategy.

In this lesson, we will continue the process of building our vision and strategy and discuss how you can create and execute a vision workshop, which is where all the main decisions will be taken.

Specifically, we will discuss the typical structure of the Vision workshop and how to best prepare for it.

In the end of this lecture you will understand the importance of the Vision workshop, the typical agenda and approach to run it and get familiar with the key preparation steps to maximize the chances of running a successful session.

In this lesson, we will finish going through the vision workshop and debate the different approaches to discuss the strategic options.

In the end of this lecture you will know the different approaches to discuss the strategic options during the vision workshop, and in which situation each of them works best. You will also get familiar with the role of the project lead and his importance to the success of the session.

In this lesson, we will complete the vision definition phase and create the core elements of your company’s strategy.

Specifically, we will discuss how to turn the outputs of the vision workshop and create a clear and actionable strategy for the company, that includes elements like the Vision, the strategic pillars, the enablers and the list of initiatives.

In the end of this lecture you will know how to create each of these elements, and get familiar what is the typical output by looking at real examples.

In this lesson, we will start a new phase of our strategic planning process, and detail some of the core initiatives of our strategy, building on the high level elements we have created in the last lessons.

In the end of this lecture you will know why it is important to deep dive some of the initiatives during this phase of the process, what are the typical initiatives that should be detailed and know what is the type of analysis and deliverable by looking at some real examples of recent strategic planning processes.

In this lesson, we will start the final phase of our strategy creation and define an ambition for our company, starting with outlining our objectives.

In the end of this lecture you will understand the process of defining objectives and an ambition and know what are the type of metrics that should be defined at this stage.

In this lesson, we will continue the definition of the company objectives and discuss the two different approaches for setting the actual targets: Top Down and Bottom Up approach

In the end of this lecture you will understand the difference of the two target setting approaches and when to use each of them.

In this lesson, we will complete the process of defining our ambition and discuss how to create a business plan to support your strategy.

In the end of the lecture you will understand the importance of having a business plan, know how to integrate it with the objectives and ambition and get familiar with the typical structure of it, by looking at a real example of a business plan presentation.

All the examples will be available in editable mode for you to use in your situations.

In this lesson, we will finalize the process of creating our strategy and discuss how to approach the strategy steering session.

In the end of the lecture you will understand the importance and goals of the strategy steering session, become familiar with the typical structure of it and know the key preparation steps to maximize its chances of success.