Strategy Formulation vs Strategy Implementation: Difference and Comparison

Sometimes we don’t know what we missed in reaching the target. The right strategy is important to achieve the destination. Moreover, strategy formulation is important as strategy implementation. Every successful people follow a strategy to reach their target.

Key Takeaways

  1. Strategy formulation involves creating a plan for achieving long-term goals, while strategy implementation executes that plan.
  2. The formulation requires analyzing internal and external factors, while implementation focuses on resource allocation and management.
  3. A well-formulated strategy is crucial, but success also depends on effective implementation.

Strategy Formulation vs Strategy Implementation

Strategy formulation is the process of developing a strategy, while strategy implementation is the process of executing that strategy. Strategy formulation focuses on the choices and decisions, while strategy implementation focuses on translating those choices into action and making changes.

Strategy Formulation vs Strategy Implementation

In strategy formulation, you need to create a plan to implement your ideas. When the available language is used for document creation, then it is called strategy formulation. It is an actionable thing to reach your goals. Strategy formulation is the allocation of resources, planning, and business goals. The one clear vision to achieve the goals is called strategy formulation. Tracking the performance is also a part of strategy formulation. Every single or small thing matters in the strategic implementation.

Strategic implementation is nothing but the execution of your plans. The management of activities also comes under strategic implementation. The delivery of the strategic plans has several circumstances. Strategic implementation is the total activities from the starting point to the end of the product delivery. The organizational action towards reaching the goals of the company is also strategic implementation.

Comparison Table

Parameters of comparisonStrategy FormulationStrategy Implementation
DefinitionPlanning and decision-making is called strategic formulationExecution of actions is called strategic implementation
ForcePlacing the force before the execution is called strategic formulationPlacing the force during the execution is called strategic implementation.
ActivityThe strategic formulation is an entrepreneurial activityStrategic implementation is an administrative activity
Emphasize parameterThe effectiveness speaks in strategic formulationEfficiency speaks in strategy implementation
ProcessRational processOperational process
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What is Strategy Formulation?

Strategy formulation is the process of creating plans and choosing the appropriate things. The long-term goal in strategy formulation is reaching your destination with your perfect plans. The formulation involves planning, decision-making, resource allocation, doubt clearance, and time management discussions. Every single process and plan will be considered in reaching the goals. All the employees must be aware of the plans and get clear thoughts about the goals.

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The strategy formulation involves six steps. They are setting Organizations’ objectives, Evaluating the Organizational Environment, Setting Quantitative Targets, Aiming in context with the divisional plans, Performance Analysis, and Choice of Strategy. Every step has a separate process and goals to achieve within the given time. These steps are in chronological order in order to maintain the correct order for better delivery of the output.

The strategy is the medium between the producer and the consumer. If the strategy works well, then it is a profit. The strategy depends on the problems and the situations. The strategy formulation also depends on the problems, employees’ abilities, and time. It is vital to consider the factors which influence strategy formulation. The organizational strength, potential of the staff, and limitations are the major factors that need to consider in strategy formulation. The organization needs to maintain quantitative target goals for each employee.

strategy formulation

What is Strategy Implementation?

Strategy implementation is the process of making plans real and doing actions. The strategic goals and objectives are a part of the strategy implementation. The development of the plan, utilization of resources, and maintenance of control systems are strategy implementations. There are many ways to follow the formulas, and one must maintain their culture and honesty inside the organization. The competitive world will help to create better plans and implement better ideas in the field.

Developing tasks is not easy, but implementing those tasks is more difficult than developing them. In the competitive world, customer satisfaction can make a good reputation for that particular organization. Your plans and executions must satisfy the customers or clients. The employees must be motivated to reach the goals by doing the actions. The values and attitudes of the organization will affect the reputation and output of products. In 1978, the terms were first published in a book.

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Strategy implementation involves the following process. They are Strategy encouraging policies, Using the resources wisely according to their availability, Constant qualitative and quantitative improvement, rewards on reaching the weekend goals for employees, strategic leadership skills, and sudden decision-changing ability. Every step is needed to implement properly for a better output. Not all organizations have similar targets, but the way to reach them is similar for everyone.

strategy implementation

Main Differences Between Strategy Formulation and Strategy Implementation

  1. The planning and organizing of the resources come under the strategy formulation, and the execution of those actions comes under the strategy implementation.
  2. The coordination of a few people is enough for strategy formulation, but strategy implementation needs the cooperation of a large number of people.
  3. Strategy formulation is an initial process with logical skills, and strategy implementation is a next-level process with leadership skills.
  4. You need to put more effort before the actions for strategy formulation, and strategy implementation needs force during the process.
  5. The strategic formulation is an entrepreneurial activity, whereas strategy implementation is an administrative activity.
Difference Between Strategy Formulation and Strategy Implementation
References
  1. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/00251749510100203/full/html
  2. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Shahnawaz-Saqib/publication/284601403_The_Role_of_Leadership_in_Strategy_Formulation_and_Implementation/links/565563ef08aeafc2aabc49d2/The-Role-of-Leadership-in-Strategy-Formulation-and-Implementation.pdf
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Chara Yadav
Chara Yadav

Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.

11 Comments

  1. A successful strategy requires not only in-depth planning but also a clear understanding of how to best allocate and manage available resources during implementation.

  2. It is important to note that strategic implementation processes require constant qualitative and quantitative improvements to adapt to changing environments and goals.

    • Agreed, the role of leadership is paramount in ensuring successful strategy formulation and implementation, as seen in the provided references.

  3. It’s important to keep in mind that a well-formulated strategy should take into account all the possible variables, making it a rational process.

  4. The six steps involved in strategy formulation are crucial to the success of any plan. Evaluation of the organizational environment and setting quantitative targets are essential.

  5. Strategy implementation is a complex process that requires strong leadership skills and the use of available resources according to their availability.

  6. The impact of the organizational strengths, potential of the staff, and limitations in strategy formulation should not be underestimated as they greatly influence the strategy’s success.

    • Absolutely, the development of successful strategies is heavily reliant on these organizational factors, as detailed through relevant research references.

    • Strategic implementation indeed demands a cooperative effort from a large number of individuals to achieve the intended goals, emphasizing the importance of strong leadership skills.

  7. The emphasis on both effectiveness in strategy formulation and efficiency in strategy implementation is critical to achieving the overall success of any strategy.

  8. Key differences between strategy formulation and strategy implementation point towards the varying skills and approaches required for each, underlining the multidimensional nature of strategic planning and execution.

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