Ten Schools of Strategy - Essay Example

?MANAGEMENT al Affiliation) This discussion focuses on ten questions based on strategy and the week’s discussion groups; each question is indicated as a discussion in relation to the numbers on the question sheet. Question one describes the reason why strategy may be viewed as a scientific and art process while the second question provides the differences between intended and emergent strategy. The third question discusses the learning strategy and the position strategy as schools strategy. Additionally, the fourth question defines who a strategist is and provides a real life example; the fifth question, explicits the difference between a strategic planner and a strategic consultant while question six depicts my answers for one and two in accordance to the week’s questions. Consequently, describes strategic management as question eight provides the similarities and the differences between military and business strategies. The second last question, describes strategic analysis, development and implementation; the last question provides my experience in relation to the group work. Discussion one Strategies are driven by numerical figures and wide extent of research and analysis of the results; the results are not based on biases, personal opinions or even individual/group’s perception but rather on the tested or expected outcomes. The idea of numerical figures and research in the formulation of strategies at organizational or individual level bring in the scientific dimension of strategies. Additionally, strategies may be considered as an art or craft owing to the fact that it is a tool applied at various managerial facets and it involves the formulation, instrumentation and the examination of various processes geared towards achieving certain goals (Johnson et al, 2011). Discussion two Intended strategy applies to myriad organizational dimensions; it involves undertaking deliberate planning and execution of the planned courses of actions. In some occasions it may also be referred as deliberate strategy for instance humanitarian organization may formulate tools that will enable them deliver specific forms of assistance to victims of a disaster or industries may develop tools that will enable them fit in a competitive market. Tools used in intended strategy may include; objectives, visions as well as the application of a SWOT analysis process to enhance the achievement of the desired goal (Cooper, 2007). On the other hand, emergent strategies encompass a framework of actions arise over time in the process of implementing organizational plans without intended missions, objectives as well as visions. According to Mintzberg, it is described as ‘a realized pattern that was not intended’. For instance; an organization may realize certain imperative actions that may develop in the process of their operation which may also facilitate the achievement of their goals. Discussion Three The learning school strategy is among the ten schools of strategy; it is based on the idea that strategy is a tool that develops in the process of acquiring new ideas and skills concerning various organizational facets. For instance; an organization may be faced by various challenges in the process of its operation however, new ideas may emerge in the process that may assist in creating a solution to the problem (Bhatt, 2005). The other school of strategy is the position strategy that was developed by Michael Porter who believed that strategy is ascribed to the position of individual in a certain situation or the position of an organization in a certain market scenario which will influence its courses of action. For example; a high demand of commodities in the market may force an organization or an industry to raise the prices of its commodities (Bhatt, 2005). Discussion Four A strategist is a person with the intellectual capacity and skills to formulate a method through the combination of various ideas and perception in order to ensure that certain specific desired goals are achieved. The services of a strategist may be applied in various aspects of society such as the economy and politics. A marketing strategist for instance has the responsibility of formulating ideas that can be applied to market the products of a certain organization or an industry (Cooper, 2007). Discussion Five The corpus of a strategic planner alludes to an expert with the skills and knowledge applicable to organizational planning and assists an organization to formulate specific ideas and tools that provides a direction to the organization in achieving its target goals and objectives. The planner may also participate in data collection, analysis and evaluation in order to facilitate the organization’s modus operandi. This is apparently in contrast to the Strategic Consultant who provides clarification on certain planning issues that may hinder the successful planning or operations of an organization. Discussion Six In the group’s discussion this week, my answers to question (1) was; the idea of strategy as a science is ascribed to the use of various tools and ideas such as numerical data and research that are geared towards the attainment of procedures that would enable an individual or an organization to achieve desired goals and objective. The answer to question (2) was that intended strategies involves conducting deliberate plans and taking courses of action in an organization or by individual in order to achieve the desired goals and expectations. Emergent strategies on the other hand, involves unintended and courses of actions that arises in the process of operation by an individual or by an organization. Discussion Seven The concept of strategic management encompasses the collection and examination of pertinent data and the formulation of appropriate courses of action that are conducted by various team leaders in order to facilitate the achievement of an organizational goals and objectives. The tools used in this process may involve missions, visions as well as the application of the SWOT analysis method (Johnson et al, 2011). Discussion Eight According to Walton, 2008, a business strategy may encompass a long term or a short term formulated plan geared towards achieving certain desired objectives or the goals of an organization. This is also similar to the military strategy whereby a short or a long term plan may be formulated to enable the military to achieve its goals such as winning a war or keeping peace. However the difference between military strategy and a business strategy occurs in their objectives; military strategies are developed to achieve certain political or military objectives while business strategy are majorly formulated to attain certain economic or business desires. Discussion Nine The strategic analysis involves the definition and description of the overall organizational facets such as; goals and objectives, implementation process as well as monitoring and evaluation process in order to determine their characteristics like weaknesses and strengths (Johnson et al, 2011). On the other hand, the development strategy encompasses the application of various appropriate courses of action at each stage of a business operational processes that are geared towards the organization from one stage to another. On the other hand, the strategic implementation is an organizational process that involves taking courses of action according to the formulated organizational plans and objectives in order to ensure that the goals and desires are met (Johnson et al, 2011). Discussion Ten I provided various answers in accordance to the discussion question; the questions were relatively complex however, by applying the learned knowledge and skills, I was in a position to answer them. Our group managed to come up with appropriate answers despite the fact were disagreed on certain issues that were majorly perceived differently in the course of the discussion. References Bhatt, J. 2005. The Ten Schools of Strategy. New Delhi: Radiff. Cooper, M. 2007. Business Strategy. New Hyde Park, N.Y.: Theunix geek. Mintzberg, H. 2006. Planning Skills. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Walton, S. 2008. An Emergent Strategy. The Journal of Rapid Bussiness Intelligence Success, 3(2), 23-45. Johnson, G et al. 2011. Exploring Strategy: Text and Cases (9th ed.). New York: Prentice Hall. Gladwell, M. (2008). Strategic Implementation. Chicago: Management Study Guide. Read More