Map
Framework

Ten steps of strategy execution (Thompson et al.)

The question it answers

With the strategy approved but results lagging, a CEO asks which of ten execution actions, from staffing and structure to rewards, culture and leadership, is missing or working against it.

Origin
Thompson et al., 2020
Diagram type
Process by phase
Level of analysis
Firm
Topics
Strategy & leadershipChange management
Chess knight on a glass compass, icon for strategy and leadership

Diagram

Ten steps of strategy execution (Thompson et al.)

  1. Build the organisation
  2. Staff with capable people
  3. Build organisational capabilities
  4. Create a supportive structure
  5. Run the work
  6. Allocate resources
  7. Policies and procedures that facilitate execution
  8. Process management tools for continuous improvement
  9. Information and operating systems
  10. Rewards and incentives
  11. Set the climate
  12. A healthy corporate culture
  13. Effective leadership

When to use it, and when not to

Use it when

Use it once a strategy has been chosen, as a checklist of what has to be in place for the strategy to be carried out.

Pitfalls

Pitfall

Handling the steps one by one can pull against the strategy, for example paying for behaviour the strategy does not need. Check all ten against the chosen strategy.

Sources

References

Listed A–Z by author surname, Harvard style. A source with a DOI links to https://doi.org/…; one without links to its page or says plainly that it has no DOI.

  1. Thompson, A.A. et al. (2020) Crafting & executing strategy: concepts and cases (22nd edn). New York: McGraw-Hill Education.No DOImheducation.comSource page