The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Strategic planning ITSP

Creating and maintaining organisational-level strategies to align overall business plans, actions and resources with high-level business objectives.

Revision notes

Updates for SFIA 9

  • Theme(s) influencing the updates for this skill: Making SFIA easier to consume (updates to skill name/skill description), Making SFIA easier to consume (new levels).
  • Guidance updated to aid understanding and application of this skill
  • New levels have been added at level 4.
  • You can move to SFIA 9 when you are ready - SFIA 8 skill descriptions will still be available to use.
  • Previous SFIA assessments or skills mapping may be impacted by this change.

Guidance notes

This skill is primarily focused on enterprise-wide strategic planning and management, rather than developing strategies for specific technical or functional areas. For senior managers or individuals working on their own technical or functional strategies, this skill may be too broad and high-level. Instead, they may require more specific skills related to their particular domain or area of expertise.

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

  • conducting environmental analyses to inform strategy development
  • collaborating with stakeholders to formulate and implement strategies and action plans
  • using data analytics and digital tools to support strategic decision-making and monitor progress
  • ensuring agility and flexibility in strategy execution to adapt to changing business needs
  • communicating and embedding strategic management through objectives, accountabilities and progress monitoring
  • continuously reviewing and iterating strategic plans to maintain alignment with business goals.

Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill

Where lower levels are not defined...
  • Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.
Where higher levels are not defined...
  • Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.

Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill

The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and responsibilities.

Where lower levels are not defined...

You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:

  • Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
  • Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
  • Supporting others who are performing higher level tasks and activities
Where higher levels are not defined...
  • You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Levels of responsibility for this skill

4 5 6 7

Strategic planning: Level 4

Level 4 - Enable: Essence of the level: Performs diverse complex activities, supports and guides others, delegates tasks when appropriate, works autonomously under general direction, and contributes expertise to deliver team objectives.

Contributes to the collection and analysis of information to support strategy development.

Assists in the preparation of reports and insights for strategic planning.

Supports the communication of strategic plans and related change initiatives to relevant stakeholders.

Helps monitor progress against strategic objectives and provides feedback.

Strategic planning: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for delivering significant work outcomes, from analysis through execution to evaluation.

Collates information and creates reports and insights to support strategy management processes.

Ensures all stakeholders are aware of the strategic management approach and timetables. Provides support and guidance to help stakeholders adhere to the approach.

Develops and communicates plans to drive forward the strategy and related change planning.

Contributes to the development of policies, standards and guidelines for strategy development and planning.

Strategic planning: Level 6

Level 6 - Initiate, influence: Essence of the level: Has significant organisational influence, makes high-level decisions, shapes policies, demonstrates leadership, promotes organisational collaboration, and accepts accountability in key areas.

Sets policies, standards and guidelines for how the organisation conducts strategy development and planning.

Leads and manages the creation or review of a strategy that meets the requirements of the business.

Develops, communicates, implements and reviews the processes which embed strategic management in the operational management of the organisation.

Strategic planning: Level 7

Level 7 - Set strategy, inspire, mobilise: Essence of the level: Operates at the highest organisational level, determines overall organisational vision and strategy, and assumes accountability for overall success.

Leads the definition, implementation and communication of the organisation’s strategic management framework.

Directs the creation and review of a strategy and plans to support the strategic requirements of the business.

Keywords
New level Small change