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Structure a strategy

This guide is for strategy leads and teams preparing a strategic plan. By the end, you will have linked a strategic axis to the issue it addresses and to the findings that prompted the issue.

Start with the findings​

The planning horizon is the period covered by the plan. A SWOT analysis separates internal strengths and weaknesses from external opportunities and threats. A strategic issue describes a problem or opportunity to address. A strategic axis, also called a pillar, groups the goals that guide the response. CIPD SWOT factsheet

In this fictional example, a distribution company is planning for the first half of the year. It has reliable delivery records, but it detects delays late. These findings inform the issue “Make delivery commitments more reliable.” The company decides to address it under the “Service quality” axis.

Get ready in STRATIS 360​

Select your organization and check the current strategy under Strategy → Strategic Steering. Have the planning dates and the findings you want to review ready. Key results can use an available horizon or custom dates.

You need Strategy read access to consult the information and write access to add or edit it.

  1. Open Strategy → SWOT Analysis, then select the SWOT Analysis tab. Add “Reliable delivery records” under Strengths and “Delays detected late” under Weaknesses.
  2. In Strategic Issues, select Create issue. Enter “Make delivery commitments more reliable.” Under SWOT sources, select both findings and save.
  3. In Strategic axes, select Create strategic axis. Name it “Service quality,” describe its scope, and choose an owner. Under Associated strategic issues, select the issue and save. If the axis already exists, edit it to attach the issue.
  4. Check that the axis list shows the linked issue. Return to the issue to find its SWOT sources.

If a finding or issue is missing from the selection list, check that it was saved under the current strategy and clear any search filter. If the create action is unavailable, ask your administrator to check your write access.

Continue with Turn a goal into a measurable result or consult the Strategy and OKR glossary.