INTRODUCTION TO STRATEGIC THINKING Muhammad Nazim bin Abd. Rahman Deputy Head of Cluster Leadership and Executive Development Cluster INTAN Bukit Kiara Updated 2018

Lecture Content Strategic Thinking Strategic Thinking Definitions Tips to Enhance Strategic Thinking When to Use Strategic Thinking? Exercise in Thinking Strategically Q & A Session

What is Strategic Thinking? Text Books Definitions: Thinking Strategically (2010) by David J. Collis. Harvard Business School Press, Boston “Strategic Thinking is analyzing opportunities and problems from a broad perspective and understanding the potential impact your actions might have on others.” “Strategic thinking focuses on the long term rather than the short-term. It focuses on the big picture and the small picture, as opposed to just focusing on the small picture. Strategic thinking is both analytical and creative.” Taken from [http://www.britishcouncil.org/professionals-work-strategic-thinking-1.htm]

What is Strategic Thinking? This Session Definition: For this particular session we use this statement to define ‘strategic thinking.’ Strategic Thinking is a thinking skill in ‘seeing’ issues, problems, opportunities and threats in a larger and broader perspective (‘the big picture’) and being able to understand the inter-relation of all the elements involved so that the best course of action could be formulated to achieve the desired goals

What is Strategic Thinking? Jeanne M. Liedtka (1998) observed five “major attributes of strategic thinking in practice” which later known as the ‘Liedtka Model’ Liedtka Model Definition: “Strategic Thinking is a thinking process involving elements of Systems Perspective; Intent Focus; Intelligent Opportunism; Thinking in Time; and Hypothesis Driven.” .” Jeanne M. Liedtka, Prof. University of Virginia's Darden Graduate School of Business

Strategic FIVE ELEMENTS IN LIEDTKA MODEL EXPLANATIONS 1 Systems Perspective Strategic Thinkers has a mental model of the complete system from beginning to the end 2 Intent Focus To focus attention, to resist distraction, and to concentrate for as long as it takes to achieve a goal 3 Intelligent Opportunism Taking advantage of alternative strategies that may emerge as more relevant 4 Thinking in Time Oscillation between the past, present, and future is essential especially for strategy formulation and execution. 5 Hypothesis Driven The ability to develop good hypotheses and test them efficiently is critical

Tips to Enhance Strategic Thinking? “Draw ‘the big picture’ of the issue and all the elements involved. State clearly what is the goal, the objective, the desired result, the intended destination. Be clear on where you want to go and where exactly you are now. Identify all the stakeholders. Identify the political, economy, social, technology, environment and legislation (PESTEL) factors influencing the issue or the organisation. Determine the elements that will be the obstacles and the elements that could be the supporting agents in achieving your goals. Insert all other elements that you think are important, on to the big picture. Estimate how far is the gap between your current position (A) and your intended destination (A+). Take an accurate inventory of all the vital resources needed to travel from A until A+. Formulate and choose the best strategies to take the organisation from A to A+. And remember to always have several contingency plan.” ]

When to Use Strategic Thinking? Usually, Government officers use strategic thinking on three (3) occasions. One, when coming up with a Strategic Plan for their organisation’s. Two, when drafting a Cabinet Paper. Three, when formulating strategies to solve complex issues or problems As a guideline, use strategic thinking every time you are serious in wanting to achieve your goals and objectives especially when failure is not an option and resources are limited

Q&A Session Are there any questions or concepts that need clarification? If not… Thank You Muhammad Nazim bin Abd. Rahman INTAN, Bukit Kiara