Developing Strategic Thinking in Government: A Practical Guide
Strategies are essential for achieving policy objectives in government. This guide by Alex Nicholson from the UK Government emphasizes the importance of clearly mapping objectives, building strategies collaboratively, and focusing on implementation. Learn how to develop a strategic mindset with practical insights and case studies.
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Presentation Transcript
How to Become a Strategic Thinker in Government Alex Nicholson International Nuclear Safety, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, UK Government
Contents 1. Introduction why is strategy important? 2. Building and implementing strategies: Map Develop Deliver 3. Wrap-up what are the key points to remember?
Introduction Strategies are a core component of delivering your policy objectives They enable you to deliver both long-term ambitious projects but also provide useful guiding principles for shorter-term work The key question to ask yourself when you re looking to deliver policy objectives: What do you want to achieve, and why, and how do you do this? If you can articulate this then you develop and deliver a strategy that achieves your policy objectives
Mapping your objectives You need a clear objective, and be able to articulate why this is your objective Why? So you can be clear on where you want to get to, and the steps you need to take to do this You can collaborate with others to deliver their objectives and secure their buy-in to support your strategy How do you map an objective? What? Why? How? Collaboration throughout When? Who?
Mapping your objectives: Case Study Chair of an cross-government Group looking to agree a policy on a skills strategy What does this policy issue look like in practice? High vs low ambition and success Why is this the correct organisation to act? What changes by doing this? What happens if you don t? How do you find consensus on a shared policy issue? Who in your team? Who in others? When do you share draft text? When is the final time to agree this policy issue? When is the final one pager?
Developing a strategy First stage is a mapping exercise. What do you want to achieve and why? You re into the how stage Focus is on moving from your starting point, to your end point. Steps to take What metrics to consider? Where does this get you to?
Developing a strategy: Case Study Metrics to consider when identifying steps to take What is the step? Why is this step important? How can acting at this step help you achieve your policy objective? When is this step? Who is the lead? Are you delivering the interests of others?
Delivering your strategy Your role in leading this strategy As the lead contact for this strategy, you maintain oversight and ensure that others work collaboratively to achieve your objective. Importance of strategic oversight and not doing it all Guided by the steps and in support of your objective, you can identify clear roles and responsibilities and demonstrate how individual action delivers the objective. Importance of collaboration and communication Empowering individuals to use their skills and expertise to deliver this strategy and achieve the policy objective
Delivering your strategy: Case Study WG2 Draft parameters WG1 Build evidence for first draft Final draft to test WG3 Internal challenge session Internal clearance Final policy paper
Conclusion What do you want to achieve, and why? How do you do this? Importance of a clear plan and close collaboration Thank you!
