I have a little gift for you today.
I mentioned that I have been rethinking my strategy framework and the way I teach people.
Today, I want to share the first draft of an assessment I’ve been working on.
A few things before we get to the assessment:
- I hope you will give me some feedback. What works? What doesn’t?
- I hope you will share with me what you’ve learned.
- I hope you will share this if it is valuable to you.
Let’s get to the assessment.
Introduction
This diagnostic tool helps you quickly assess your organization’s strategic health across five critical dimensions. Each section includes key questions, a simple scoring system, and immediate action items.
How to Use This Tool
- Rate each question from 1-5 (1 = Strongly Disagree, 5 = Strongly Agree)
- Add up your scores in each section
- Review your results and recommended next steps
Section 1: Strategic Clarity
Core Questions
- Our organization has a clear, compelling direction that everyone understands
- We can articulate what makes us different from competitors in one sentence
- Our strategic priorities directly support our competitive advantage
- We consistently say “no” to opportunities that don’t fit our strategy
Quick Analysis
Total Score: __/20
- 16-20: Strong strategic clarity
- 11-15: Moderate clarity with room for improvement
- 0-10: Significant strategic confusion
Section 2: Market Position
Core Questions
- We have a defined target market that we serve better than anyone else
- Our pricing reflects our unique value, not market averages
- We can name our top three competitors and explain why we win against each
- Our market position is sustainable and defensible
Quick Analysis
Total Score: __/20
- 16-20: Strong market position
- 11-15: Vulnerable position
- 0-10: Weak market position
Section 3: Execution Capability
Core Questions
- Our team knows exactly what they need to do to execute our strategy
- We have clear metrics that tell us if we’re succeeding
- We regularly review and adjust our strategic initiatives
- Our resources are aligned with our strategic priorities
Quick Analysis
Total Score: __/20
- 16-20: Strong execution capability
- 11-15: Execution gaps present
- 0-10: Significant execution challenges
Section 4: Brand Alignment
Core Questions
- Our brand promise matches our actual customer experience
- All our touchpoints consistently reflect our brand position
- Our team can articulate our brand values without prompting
- Our marketing efforts reinforce our strategic position
Quick Analysis
Total Score: __/20
- 16-20: Strong brand alignment
- 11-15: Brand inconsistencies present
- 0-10: Significant brand misalignment
Section 5: Future Readiness
Core Questions
- We regularly scan for threats to our current business model
- We have identified clear opportunities for future growth
- Our strategy includes plans for innovation and adaptation
- We’re investing in capabilities we’ll need in the future
Quick Analysis
Total Score: __/20
- 16-20: High future readiness
- 11-15: Moderate preparedness
- 0-10: Significant vulnerability
Overall Analysis
Total Score: __/100
- 80-100: Strategic Excellence
- 60-79: Strategic Competence
- 40-59: Strategic Gaps
- 0-39: Strategic Crisis
Next Steps
Based on your score:
- 80-100: Focus on optimization and future opportunities
- 60-79: Address specific gaps in your strategic framework
- 40-59: Consider a strategic reset in key areas
- 0-39: Urgent need for strategic overhaul
Why Scores Matter
Low scores in specific sections often indicate:
- Strategic Clarity: Lack of direction leading to resource waste
- Market Position: Commodity trap risk
- Execution Capability: Strategy-execution gap
- Brand Alignment: Customer confusion and lost opportunities
- Future Readiness: Vulnerability to disruption
Let me know how this works for you.
I’ll see you next week.
Dave