Why Strategy Execution Fails

Consider the following shockers about strategy execution:

• 85% percent of management teams spend less than one-hour a month on strategy issues
• Only 5% of employees understand their corporate strategy
• 92% of organizations do not report on lead performance indicators.

What are the root cause reasons for failed strategy execution?

• Lack of knowledge of strategy and of the strategy process.
• No commitment to the plan.
• The plan was not communicated effectively.
• People are not measured or rewarded for executing the plan.
• The plan is too abstract; people can't relate it to their work.
• People are not held accountable for execution.
• Senior management does not pay attention to the plan.
• Strategy is not clear, focused and consistent.
• Conditions change making the plan, as conceived, obsolete.
• The proper control systems are not in place to measure and track the execution
  of the strategy.
• Reinforcers, such as, culture, structure, processes, IT systems, management
  systems and human resource systems, are not considered, and/or act as inhibitors.
• People are driven by short-term results.