How has the role of the strategic planner changed over the past several decades? What new skills will be essential for the strategic planner?  

Ways in which role of the strategic planner changed over the past

Exercises:

1. How has the role of the strategic planner changed over the past several decades? What new skills will be essential for the strategic planner?

The role of the strategic planner has changed significantly over the past several decades. In the past, strategic planners were primarily focused on developing long-term plans for organizations, which were often rigid and inflexible. Today, strategic planners must be much more adaptable and responsive to changes in the environment. They must be able to anticipate and respond to changes in technology, regulations, and other external factors that can impact the organization’s success.

New skills that are essential for the strategic planner include:

• Data analytics: With the proliferation of big data, strategic planners must be able to gather, analyze, and use data effectively to make informed decisions.
• Communication: Strategic planners must be skilled at communicating complex ideas and plans to a variety of stakeholders, both internal and external to the organization.
• Agility: The ability to respond quickly and effectively to changes in the environment is critical for the success of strategic planners.
• Innovation: Strategic planners must be able to think creatively and develop new approaches to old problems.

2. Using the questions listed in Exhibit 2-8 (p. 68), as your basis, discuss strategic assumptions and how you would respond to them in a strategic planning assessment.

Exhibit 2-8 provides a set of questions that can be used to assess strategic assumptions. Strategic assumptions are the underlying beliefs and values that guide an organization’s decision-making and strategic planning process.

Some of the questions in Exhibit 2-8 include:

• What are the key assumptions underlying our organization’s strategy?
• How do these assumptions impact our ability to achieve our strategic objectives?
• What risks are associated with our key assumptions?

To respond to these questions in a strategic planning assessment, it is important to first identify the key assumptions that underlie the organization’s strategy. This can be done through a variety of methods, including analyzing the organization’s mission and vision statements, reviewing past strategic plans and decisions, and conducting interviews with key stakeholders.

Once the key assumptions have been identified, it is important to assess their impact on the organization’s ability to achieve its strategic objectives. This can involve analyzing the potential risks associated with these assumptions, such as changes in market conditions, shifts in consumer behavior, or changes in regulations or policies.

Finally, it is important to develop strategies to address these risks and ensure that the organization’s key assumptions are aligned with its overall strategic objectives. This may involve developing contingency plans to address potential risks or identifying new opportunities that align with the organization’s strategic goals. Overall, a strategic planning assessment should be an ongoing process that involves regularly reviewing and updating key assumptions to ensure that they remain relevant and aligned with the organization’s overall strategy.