Strategic Planning & Vision Flashcards

Which document formally authorizes a project and links it to the organization's strategic objectives?

Answer: Project charter

The project charter authorizes the project, assigns the project manager, and explicitly ties the project to organizational strategy and expected benefits.

A strategic objective is best described as:

Answer: A broad, long-term goal that guides organizational direction

Strategic objectives are high-level, long-term goals derived from the organizational vision that direct resource allocation and decision-making.

During strategic portfolio gate reviews, a project that no longer aligns with the current strategy should be:

Answer: Re-evaluated and potentially terminated or redirected

Portfolio gate reviews are designed to terminate or redirect projects that no longer deliver strategic value, preventing continued investment in misaligned work.

The primary purpose of a stakeholder engagement strategy in strategic planning is to:

Answer: Ensure that key influencers support and contribute to strategic decisions

A stakeholder engagement strategy identifies how to involve key stakeholders so their influence, knowledge, and support strengthen strategic decision-making.

Which technique is used to systematically identify and prioritize long-range uncertainties that could impact an organization's strategic plan?

Answer: Scenario planning

Scenario planning develops multiple plausible future narratives to test strategic robustness and prepare contingent responses to major uncertainties.

An organization using a 'top-down' approach to strategic planning begins by:

Answer: Defining enterprise vision and strategy before cascading objectives to projects

Top-down strategic planning starts with senior leadership defining vision, mission, and goals that are then translated into portfolio, program, and project objectives.

In project controls, a strategic baseline differs from a project baseline in that it:

Answer: Sets the organizational performance targets against which portfolio outcomes are measured

A strategic baseline defines the expected benefits, outcomes, and performance thresholds at the portfolio level, providing context for evaluating whether projects deliver intended value.