A Three Session Strategy Workshop

Many organisations are faced with a difficult challenge when asked to define their strategic objectives. The people responsible are so driven by day to day activities that they have little time to engage in strategy. It is at times like this that a ‘break-though’ action is required. Using a skilled external facilitator to drive a strategy workshop can make a real difference.

The Method

Intrafocus consultants have decades of experience in strategy workshop facilitation. We have developed a three session strategy workshop based on the strategic principles found in the Balanced Scorecard Methodology. The methodology, which examines the four focus areas (or Perspectives) of Finance, Customer, Internal Processes and Organisational Capacity builds a ‘balanced’ strategy through the use of facilitated exercises. The three sessions take place during the mornings of three consecutive days.

The Sessions

The sessions last between four and five hours depending on the number of attendees. The facilitator organises ‘homework’ for the afternoon that usually takes around an hour to complete. This time is also used by the facilitator to write a critique of the session output which is presented the next day.

The aim of the three sessions is to create an Integrated Strategy Map, similar to the illustration below. Our consultants will also record all of the material generated in a Strategy document using a pre-defined template. Please download a copy of the template shown one the right hand side of this page.

Sample Output – Integrated Strategy Map

Click on the strategy map to expand it to full size

Strategy Workshop

A three-session facilitated workshop based on the balanced scorecard methodology

• Type: Workshop, teaching and exercises
• Location: On-site (your location)
• Participants: 6-18 people
• Duration: Three consecutive mornings
• Price: Per delegate (please enquire)

The workshop is priced per-delegate depending on the number of delegates attending, please use the contact form below to request pricing.

Topics Covered

Session 1

• Balanced Scorecard Principles
• Assessment
• Critique of any Material provided
• Exercise 1 – Enablers/Challenges
• Picture of the Future
• Developing a Shared Understanding
• Exercise 2 – Purpose/Vision
• Components of a Value Proposition
• Exercise 3 – List components
• What is a Strategic Theme?
• Exercise 4 – Create Themes and Results

Session 2

• Review Work to Date
• Balanced Scorecard
• Strategic/Business Objectives
• Perspectives
• Strategy Map
• Commentary
• Exercise 1 – Creating Strategic Objectives
• Exercise 2 – Combining the Maps
• Intended Results Overview
• Clarity in language ’Weasel Words’
• Exercise 3 – Write ‘Intended Results’

Session 3

• Review Work to Date
• Revise Strategic Objectives
• Exercise 1 – Agree Final Strategy Map
• Consolidated Strategy Map – Way Forward
• Intended Results to Performance Measures
• Meaningful Performance Measures
• Exercise 2 – Create some Metrics
• What are Strategic Initiatives?
• Exercise 3a – Create initiatives
• Exercise 3b – Prioritise Initiatives
• Review Final Integrated Strategy Map

The Integrated Strategy Map differs from a normal strategy map in that it includes all of the major pieces of information required to implement an integrated strategy. It starts with a vision and associated mission statement (these items are usually available before the workshops start). Using the vision and mission as the base-line for all the following work, guided exercises produce a set of strategic priorities and business objectives. The work on the strategy map does not stop here. Our workshop sessions go on to develop result statements for each business objective and then measures (with descriptions) and finally the initiatives (projects) that drive change.