Explore the Space of Possibilities
Understand the multiplicity of futures and adopt a futures mindset, recognising that different lenses shape strategic decisions and affect their impact and agency.
Define your North Star
Define the core guiding principles and values, so that all strategies and decisions of the organisation are aligned.
Prepare the fleet
Setting initial goals, based on the foresight findings, assessing available tools and incorporating lessons from the past, ensuring effective utilisation of resources for the journey ahead.
Map the territory
Continually assess, progress, identify opportunities and challenges, and adapt strategies through feedback loops.
The generative strategy framework emphasises adaptability, continuous learning, and a forward-looking approach, allowing organisations to navigate complex and uncertain environments effectively.
Adaptability
Generative strategy fosters adaptability by encouraging ongoing exploration of diverse possibilities and adapting strategies based on changing circumstances and feedback, allowing organisations to respond effectively to evolving challenges.
Agency
It enhances agency by empowering individuals to shape the future through diverse lenses, fostering a sense of ownership and creativity in strategic decision-making processes.
Forward looking
The framework promotes a forward-looking approach by emphasising the formulation of a clear North Star, guiding the organisation's vision, and aligning strategies with future goals, ensuring a proactive stance in addressing upcoming challenges and opportunities.
Navigational approach
Generative strategy facilitates a navigational approach by continuously mapping the evolving landscape, identifying new opportunities and currents, and using feedback loops to make real-time adjustments, enabling organisations to navigate complex environments with agility and precision.
Step 1: Explore the Space of Possibilities
In this step, it's essential to adopt a futures mindset. This means considering various future scenarios and understanding that the lenses (perspectives or frameworks) applied are influencing the strategic decisions and their impact and agency. Different lenses can lead to different strategies, so it's crucial to be aware of this when exploring possibilities.
Step 2: Define Your North Star in the Space
The "North Star" represents the core guiding principles and values of the organisation. It's the ultimate objective, embodying the organisation's mission and vision. Defining this clear direction creates the agency needed to carry the strategy out and helps align all strategies and decisions with the fundamental purpose of the organisation.
Step 3: Prepare the Fleet for Embarking on the Journey
Preparing the fleet involves defining the initial goals or lighthouse that the organisation aims to reach by using foresight methods. It also involves assessing the tools and resources available and determining which ones can be effectively utilised. Additionally, it requires deciding what lessons from the past (historical knowledge and experiences) are relevant and valuable for the journey forward.
Step 4: Map the Territory Along the Way
As the organisation progresses, it's crucial to constantly assess the landscape. This involves monitoring the progress made, identifying new opportunities (islands) and challenges (currents), and adapting the strategy accordingly. Feedback loops are essential in this step, allowing the organisation to learn from experiences and make informed adjustments to the strategic approach.
Feedback and Structure
Regular feedback mechanisms are vital at every stage of the process. Feedback loops help in evaluating the effectiveness of strategies, learning from successes and failures, and making necessary adjustments. Additionally, having a structured approach to the entire generative strategy process ensures that each step is followed systematically, enabling the organisation to stay focused and agile in the face of changing circumstances.
This generative strategy framework emphasises adaptability, continuous learning, and a forward-looking approach, allowing organisations to navigate complex and uncertain environments effectively.