Week 1: What we lock in
- What matters now: the problem we’re solving and the bet we’re making.
- Fast decisions: guardrails, trade-offs, and the smallest move with real lift.
- Real plan: capacity, owners, checkpoints (not a wish list).
- Visible start: leaders commit in writing; progress has a scoreboard.
1) Strategy Ground Truth (Days 0–5)
We set the floor: ambition, constraints, and what the market is telling you. No theater, clear facts and a common language.
- Context brief: where we play, how we win, and what we won’t do
- Decision guardrails & success thresholds
- Baseline scorecard (3–5 metrics that matter)
2) Choice Architecture (Days 5–12)
Strategy is choices. We shape 2–3 sharp bets with value cases, risks, and trade-offs made visible.
- Choice Cards: bet, rationale, evidence, owner
- Value case & exposure map (cost, time, risk)
- Stage-gates and stop rules
3) Operating Frame (Days 12–20)
Cadence replaces slideware. We define governance, rhythms, and how decisions move through the business.
- Strategy operating cadence: forums, frequency, inputs, outputs
- Roles & owners across Strategy × Finance × Delivery
- Escalation paths and risk register
4) Launch & Commit (Days 20–30)
We start visibly. Leaders make commitments, the first milestone is set, and progress is measurable by month-end.
- Leadership commitments + team narrative
- 30/60/90 plan with owners and check-ins
- “Why this, why now, what changes” brief
| Outcome | How we see it | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Alignment | Days to ground-truth sign-off | < 5 days |
| Decisions | Choices locked with owners | 2–3 |
| Momentum | First milestone delivered | By Day 30 |
Industry Benchmarks: Why the first 30 days matter
- Supportive practices drive lift: organizations that put governance, role clarity, and resourcing in place see an ~8.3 percentage-point increase in project performance. Source: PMI Pulse of the Profession 2024.
- Decision advantage shows up in returns: top-quintile decision performers deliver ~6 percentage points higher total shareholder return vs. peers. Source: Bain Decision Insights.
- Execution is the failure point: only ~12% of major change programs produce lasting results without strong execution disciplines. Source: Harvard Business Review.
- Strategy quality pressure is rising: only ~21% of executives say their strategy clears four or more of McKinsey’s Ten Tests today. Source: McKinsey (2025).
Stratenity’s kickoff front-loads governance, role clarity, and a decision cadence, aiming to capture the observed uplift in performance and decision velocity within the first month.
Results & Impact — first 30 days
Impact deltas (before → after kickoff)
| Metric | Definition | Before | After | Δ Change | How we measure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decision Cycle Time | Avg. days from proposal to formal decision | — | — | — | Forum minutes + tracker |
| Early KPI Lift | First leading metric tied to a chosen bet | — | — | — | Baseline vs post-launch snapshot |
| Risk Exposure Closed | % of top risks with owner, mitigation, due date | — | — | — | Risk register status |
| Clarity Score | Stakeholder pulse: “I understand the choices and my role” (0–10) | — | — | — | Week 1 vs Week 4 pulse |
Momentum assets (delivered in the first 30 days)
Strategy One-Pager
Ambition, constraints, choices, and measures — fit for the board and the floor.
Choice Cards
2–3 bets with value case, risks, owners, and stop rules.
Strategy Operating Cadence
Governance, forums, inputs/outputs, and decision flow.
30/60/90 Plan
Milestones, resources, and the review calendar everyone can see.
Risk Register
Top exposures, triggers, mitigations, and owners.
Communication Kit
Leader talking points, team brief, investor update outline.
Ready to start strong?
Bring the Strategy Engagement Kickoff Orbit into your next program and put an early win on the board.
Sources
- PMI — Pulse of the Profession 2024: The Future of Project Work (performance lift with supportive practices).
- Bain — Decision Insights compendium (top-quintile decision performers & TSR).
- Harvard Business Review — Transformations That Work (lasting outcomes ~12%).
- McKinsey — How Strategy Champions Win (2025 survey on strategy test pass rates).