Evaluating strategic choices

Topics in this module

1. 01

   Strategic alignment, drivers and levers

   Connect purpose, goals and strategic choices to operational, people and market changes, with clear measures and evidence for decisions.

   9 sections · 11 min read

   3 videos3 PDFs9 images

   See the topics covered

   1. Strategic alignment: purpose, direction and action
   2. SMART goals and balanced performance
   3. Strategic drivers, options, themes and levers
   4. Operational levers: effectiveness, efficiency and growth
   5. Organisation and people levers
   6. Product and service levers
   7. Market choices and organisational readiness
   8. Coordinating levers and the CPA's contribution
   9. Sources and further reading
2. 02

   Option evaluation, strategic fit and analytics

   Compare strategic options using fit, value and effort, weighted criteria and business analytics, then test how reliable the ranking is.

   9 sections · 10 min read

   2 videos2 PDFs6 images

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   1. Start with strategic fit
   2. Use value and effort to screen options
   3. Choose criteria that reflect the decision
   4. Build a weighted comparison
   5. Test whether the ranking is robust
   6. Use business analytics to strengthen the evidence
   7. Understand the data behind the analysis
   8. Turn evaluation into a defensible recommendation
   9. Sources and further reading
3. 03

   Risk assessment and the business case

   Assess strategic risks, compare costs and benefits, and test uncertain assumptions with clear explanations, original calculations and verified references.

   13 sections · 10 min read

   2 videos2 PDFs6 images

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   1. Risk belongs in the strategic decision
   2. Appetite, tolerance and the effect of controls
   3. Find the risks that could change the recommendation
   4. A practical assessment and response cycle
   5. Read a risk matrix with care
   6. Select a response that addresses the cause
   7. Use analytics to improve the evidence
   8. Separate what-if, sensitivity and scenario analysis
   9. Expected value is a weighted average
   10. Quantify benefits without counting them twice
   11. Bring different cash-flow dates onto one basis
   12. Timing and approval conditions
   13. Sources and further reading
4. 04

   Strategic themes, Rumelt’s criteria and finalisation

   Combine strategic options into coherent themes, apply Rumelt’s four tests and define the measures, responsibilities and reviews needed before implementation.

   12 sections · 11 min read

   2 videos2 PDFs6 images

   See the topics covered

   1. Turn separate options into a coherent strategy
   2. Find conflicts before approving the package
   3. Rumelt’s four tests
   4. Examine external fit and the source of advantage
   5. Test feasibility across the whole organisation
   6. Finalisation needs leadership and management judgement
   7. Select measures that explain strategic progress
   8. Combine leading and lagging information
   9. Define the measure before collecting the result
   10. Avoid measures that reward the wrong behaviour
   11. Review readiness, approve conditions and keep learning
   12. Sources and further reading
5. 

   Module 5 — Quizzes

   Choose a practice quiz to review your understanding, then explore explanations and your results.

   Practice quiz · Review your understanding