Making Great Strategy: Arguing for Organizational Advantage

Making Great Strategy is a book that provides a framework for formulating and managing strategy through three core activities: visualization, formalization, and logic, and constructive argumentation. It shows that all sustainably successful strategies have a logically coherent argument that connects resources, capabilities, and environmental conditions to desired outcomes. The book is widely applicable and relevant for managers and leaders at all levels, especially executive teams charged with setting the course of their organizations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 344 pages
Publication date: 26 January 2021
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Strategic planning is a critical process that involves making significant and often irreversible decisions with the goal of achieving long-term success in an uncertain future. It is a fundamental responsibility for all leaders, as they must formulate a clear course of action that aligns with their organization's goals and objectives. However, many leaders lack confidence in their ability to think systematically about their strategy and struggle to apply the abstract lessons offered by conventional approaches to strategic analysis to their unique contexts.

To address these challenges, Jesper B. Sørensen and Glenn R. Carroll have developed a framework called "Making Great Strategy." This framework provides a straightforward and readily applicable approach to strategic planning. It emphasizes the importance of a logically coherent argument that connects resources, capabilities, and environmental conditions to desired outcomes. The authors introduce a system for formulating and managing strategy through a set of three core activities: visualization, formalization, and logic, and constructive argumentation.

Visualization involves creating visual representations of the strategic landscape, including key stakeholders, competitors, and environmental factors. Formalization involves structuring the strategic argument in a clear and concise manner, using frameworks such as SWOT analysis or Porter's Five Forces. Logic involves applying analytical thinking to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different strategic options and to identify the most effective course of action. Constructive argumentation involves engaging in constructive dialogue with stakeholders to build consensus and support for the chosen strategy.

The authors illustrate these activities through examples and case studies from well-known companies such as Apple, Walmart, and The Economist. These examples demonstrate how the framework can be applied in different industries and organizational contexts, and how it can help leaders make informed decisions that lead to sustainable success.

One of the key strengths of "Making Great Strategy" is its accessibility. The framework is widely applicable and relevant for managers and leaders at all levels, especially executive teams charged with setting the course of their organizations. It provides a clear and concise roadmap for strategic planning, and it offers practical tools and techniques that can be implemented in any organization.

Another strength of the book is its emphasis on practical problem-solving. The authors recognize that great strategic thinking is hard, but they argue that it is not a mystery. They provide a systematic approach to strategic planning that can help leaders overcome the challenges they face and make informed decisions that lead to sustainable success.

In conclusion, "Making Great Strategy" is an essential read for anyone faced with practical problems of strategic management. It provides a straightforward and readily applicable framework for strategic planning that emphasizes the importance of a logically coherent argument and a systematic approach to decision-making. By applying the principles outlined in the book, leaders can develop a clear course of action that aligns with their organization's goals and objectives and achieve long-term success in an uncertain future.

Weight: 638g
Dimension: 164 x 244 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231199483