Strategic Planning Flashcards

Which of Porter's Five Forces addresses how easily customers can switch to a different type of product meeting the same need?

Answer: Threat of substitutes

Threat of substitutes concerns alternative products or services that fulfill the same customer need.

A leader wants to assess whether strategy, structure, systems, shared values, style, staff, and skills are aligned. Which model should the coach introduce?

Answer: McKinsey 7S Framework

The McKinsey 7S Framework examines alignment among seven interdependent organizational elements.

During strategic planning, a coach encourages a client to involve frontline employees in gathering input. What is the primary benefit?

Answer: It increases buy-in and surfaces practical insights leadership may miss

Participation builds ownership and brings ground-level knowledge into the strategy.

What is the key characteristic of 'emergent strategy' as described by Henry Mintzberg?

Answer: It arises from patterns of actions and learning over time, often unplanned

Mintzberg described emergent strategy as patterns that form from actions and adaptation rather than formal intent.

A client sets a goal to 'improve customer satisfaction.' Using the SMART framework, which revision is strongest?

Answer: Raise the Net Promoter Score from 32 to 45 by June 30

This version is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

Which question best helps a coaching client distinguish strategic work from operational work?

Answer: Does this activity shape where the organization will be in three to five years, or keep today's operations running?

Strategic work shapes future direction, whereas operational work sustains current performance.

A leader keeps adding new initiatives without stopping any old ones, and the team is overwhelmed. What strategic concept should the coach raise?

Answer: Strategic trade-offs and initiative pruning

Effective strategy requires choosing what not to do and retiring lower-value initiatives to free capacity.