Strategy Analysis
What to know
Strategy analysis connects business need to a viable change. It has four moving parts: analyze current state, define future state, assess risks, and define change strategy. Current-state analysis examines business architecture, capabilities, processes, and pain points. Future-state definition states goals, objectives, scope, and constraints-not the solution. Gap analysis compares current and future states to identify what must change. Change strategy describes how to move from one to the other, including transition states, sequencing, and risk response. Solution scope is agreed only after the need and future state are understood.
Traps
The classic trap is jumping to a solution before defining the business need and future state. Another is confusing the business need (the problem or opportunity) with a proposed solution. Candidates also forget the transition state-the interim condition during change-and underestimate enterprise constraints such as culture, regulation, or existing systems. Watch for gap lists that mix symptoms with root causes.
Worked example
A call center has long wait times. Current state: manual triage and high staff turnover. Future state: wait times under three minutes and first-contact resolution above 80%. Gap: triage process, skills, and scheduling. A proposed chatbot is only one change option, not the future state itself.
Rule of thumb
State the need in outcome terms, define the future state before comparing options, and always ask what the transition will look like.