Overview
A strategy review that's just a status update wastes everyone's time. A good one honestly assesses your position and produces clear decisions about direction.
This guide sequences the classic frameworks into a review that actually decides something.
The steps
Take stock of your position
Start with a SWOT analysis to get an honest one-page picture of where you stand.
Scan the environment
Run a PESTEL analysis for macro shifts and Porter's Five Forces for industry pressures.
Choose a growth path
Pick a direction with the Ansoff matrix, matching risk to your appetite, or look for uncontested space with Blue Ocean strategy.
Set measurable goals
Translate the strategy into a few OKRs so it becomes action, not a slide deck.
Decide, don't just discuss
Close with clear decisions — separate the modes of debate first with Six Thinking Hats so the review reaches conclusions.
Key takeaways
- Assess honestly before you decide — SWOT then environment scan.
- Make portfolio and growth choices explicit.
- Turn strategy into measurable OKRs or it won't happen.
- A review must produce decisions, not just discussion.
Frequently asked questions
How often should we review strategy?
Deeply once or twice a year, with lighter check-ins each quarter against your OKRs — often enough to adapt, not so often it becomes churn.
How do we avoid a review that just talks?
End every review with explicit decisions and owners. Use a structure like Six Thinking Hats to move from discussion to conclusion.