7.5. Summary

The Three Levels framework makes two contributions to organization strategy. To strategy formulation, it offers the systems framework (see Table 7.1), which ensures that an organization's direction is based on an analysis of all the strategic variables. The systems components suggest eleven questions that an effective strategy should answer.

To strategy implementation, the Three Levels framework offers the Nine Performance Variables, which must be addressed to ensure that the strategic vision becomes organizational reality. A management team that cascades its strategy through the Organization, Process, and Job/Performer Levels dramatically increases the odds of that strategy taking root. At each level, the strategy is implemented through Goals, Design, and Management.

Chapters Eight through Fourteen delve more deeply into a variety of dimensions of strategy implementation.