Strategic Intent

Strategy is often associated with the idea of securing a significant, long-term objective. As
described in chapter 2, this is at least partly explained by tracing the roots of organisational
strategy back to military strategy. Whilst victory in a military context is a reasonably
singular objective, organisations often need to deliver complex, multi-dimensional
objectives to a diverse range of stakeholders. For this reason, the diagnostic process set out
in chapter 3 is a sensible precursor to establishing clarity on strategic intent but it is also
worth noting that diagnosis and intent are linked; establishing what you want to achieve is
influenced by and influences what you think might be wrong with your organisation’s
current configuration.