Strategic intent

Strategic intent
See also
Strategic goal Strategic control Strategic management model Mission and vision Tactical management Implementation of strategy Plan Strategic planning Strategy

Strategic intent is colloquially, what we would like to achieve in the future. They give, and determine, the sense of existence of each unit, system etc. By referring this definition specifically to enterprises, we can define goals as planned undertakings that are the result of the specific needs of the given organization, as well as its surroundings. The main principle of determining goals is their clear and transparent determination, so that they leave no doubt as to compliance with the mission of the company. In addition, they should be strictly formulated, measurable, ambitious, realistic and timely (SMART principle) .

Strategic intent in the hierarchy

Objectives are subject to prioritization and are determined at the following three levels :

• strategic,

• tactical,

• operating.

Setting strategic intent

Strategic intent are defined as already mentioned, mainly considering the vision that the company intends to pursue. This is the most important criterion, however, one should not forget about taking into account other factors, such as analyzing the macro-environment of the organization, its competition, internal situation at the moment of formulating it, or finally the needs of the environment. Importantly, these goals can not be in any way contradictory.

In every major organization, managers are responsible for setting goals, at the appropriate level to make such decisions. It is important to they focus less on formal structural design and more on effective management processes .

The role of strategic intent

Well-formulated strategic goals become the basis for the next development of strategic plans. Strategic plans, in turn, have the task of setting priorities for actions and making a series of decisions at various levels, enabling the implementation of previously assumed strategic objectives. These, in turn, will allow later development of tactical goals by top and middle level managers. This goal classification is presented in the form of a goal tree (or a goal classifier). In the light of the aforementioned role of strategic goals, it is worth noting that in the case of incorrect definition, all minor objectives will also be wrong, which may negatively affect all plans of the company .

References

• Christopher A. Bartlett and Sumantra Ghoshal, (November-December 1994). Changing the Role of Top Management: Beyond Strategy to Purpose. Harvard Business Review U.S. and Canada.
• Hamel Gary and C.K.Prahalad, (2005). Strategic Intent. Harvard Business Review Notice of Use Restrictions, pages 148-161.
• Steven W. Floyd and Peter J.Lane, (2000). Strategizing Throughout the Organization: Managing Role Conflict in Strategic Renewa. Academy of Management Review 2000, Vol. 25, No. 1, 154-177.
• Vogt Frederick G., Alireza S. Kord, Development of Quality-By-Design Analytical Methods. Journal Of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vol. 100, NO. 3, March 2011

Footnotes

Author: Paulina Ściera