Most strategic plans don’t fail in execution—they fail at the very first step: preparation and alignment. Without a clear, organization-wide understanding of where you are and where you’re going, execution becomes fragmented, leading to disconnected initiatives and misaligned “pet projects” that don’t drive meaningful results.
To achieve a strategy that delivers real impact, organizations must first establish a unified vision, clear priorities, and cross-functional alignment before execution begins. Only then can you ensure that every initiative contributes to long-term success.
Before a single objective is defined, successful companies invest in one overlooked phase: information gathering. They don’t just review KPIs: they interview leadership, clarify the mission, align stakeholders, and analyze behavioral profiles like the Predictive Index.
This upfront clarity prevents months of backpedaling later.
Here’s how we break it down:
- Surface unspoken challenges through interviews
- Confirm vision/mission alignment with execs
- Use tools like the AIM Institute’s Blueprint to turn market signals into strategy inputs
If your team jumps straight into goals without this prep… it might be time to rethink your strategic planning playbook.
