The Operationalization of the strategy describes the interface between the formulation of the strategy and its implementation. It is based on the overall concept, strategic goals, and the essential question about the purpose as well as the financial and regulatory framework. The main focus is placed on strategy-directed action plans (milestones, etc.). With the help of these plans, the effectivity and efficiency of the implementation is ensured in a transparent and straightforward way.
Central questions could look like this:
- What is the purpose of the strategy?
- What does this mean for each organizational unit of the company?
- What are the core issues needing to be addressed?
- What will the result look like and how can we measure these results?
- Who is responsible for what and by when?
The operationalization represents focus, clarity, change, and innovation.
Here, mainly the performance and cost transparencies are addressed as well as operational and strategic planning; this in accordance with high agility in a VUCA world.
Commonly occurring impediments are management culture, insufficient planning and coordination, competing activities and ”blocked initiatives”.