1. Strategic Planning Simplified: The Systems Thinking
Approach© to Building High Performance Teams &
Organizations
Literary Review
By Nidya R.M.
Strategic Planning Simplified: The Systems Thinking Approach© to
Building High Performance Teams & Organizations, delivers a
hands-on, simple framework, key notes and workbook for leaders
to follow while creating and adapting a strategic plan to fit any
multi-level need of their business unit, team, department, and
organization as a whole. With its simple and practical ABCs
Reinventing Strategic Planning Model, this interactive workbook
acts as its own facilitator, while demystifying the complexities of
strategic planning. Managers and teams are able to work at their
own pace to develop and implement their goals using the viable,
fill-in-the-blank approach to creating strategic plans and 3-year
business plans.
The Systems Thinking Approach© introduces us to “backwards thinking,” or Strategic Thinking
— which focuses in defining an Ideal Future; (i.e., your Vision/Mission or Purpose) and then
working backwards by planning and executing the day-to-day steps and decisions necessary
to close the gaps to this Ideal Future. Step-by-step tools, clearly-defined action plans and
worksheets help managers of all backgrounds put their visions into action, while avoiding
common mistakes such as failing to integrate planning in their strategy or using methods that
only move the organization forward based on current direction and current level of
performance.
Through its simple 5 ABC Strategic Phases and numerous Key Examples, author Stephen
Haines shows organizations how to go beyond traditional planning, which primarily focuses
on solving existing issues, to working strategically towards building a path for organizational
success and profitability; “becoming architects of the future, not defenders of the decline.”
With 30 l f i i t ti ll i d l d i t t i l iWith 30-plus years of experience as an internationally recognized leader in strategic planning
& change management, and 14 books in print, Haines once again delivers an interactive, easy-
to-implement, reinvented model of strategic planning for the 21st Century.
A must have for any organization.
For more information on the full product line, including articles, models and instruments available for this
book, please visit www.hainescentre.com and select Systems Thinking Press, Strategic Planning.
August 2007
Author Stephen G. Haines