Topic 6.2: Executing Strategy

Getting ‘stuff done’ is the mantra of many organisations! Managers are typically required to enhance their abilities to deliver on strategies once they have been set. And regardless of the measurement system, something has to be done before it can be measured.

The following drivers of Strategy Execution are known factors that positively influence the likelihood that an important project or initiative will be actioned or delivered (Neilson, Martin & Powers 2008)^[1]. Since they are important to execution, they are also important to measure!

Powerful ‘levers’ that are useful to getting things done include:

Figure 6.4 3 Powerful ‘levers’

The degree to which each of these levers exists and is applied, can be measured, leveraged, and enhanced. Note carefully the point about behaviours. Motivational and structural approaches to ‘action’ need to be strongly supported by effective processes. People need to truly understand what they are responsible for, and then having, or knowing how to, gain access to the information they need to fulfil their responsibilities. Thus, an important element is to understand and appreciate the ways that your teams and organisation ‘do things’.