Harvard Doctor of Strategy Richard Rumelt, who is considered one of the fathers of strategy, after more than 40 years of work dedicated to research, teaching and consulting, wrote one of the best books on strategy called Good Strategy, Bad Strategy. Good ones turn into results; while they are bad at pronunciation. Today, nobody has time for bad strategies, even worse for the new Government; Therefore, it is worth remembering what distinguishes them from others.

Conquer uncertainty

First, bad strategies are conceived as a simple goal-setting exercise that lacks the ability to clearly identify outstanding problems and significant challenges. Good strategies consist of a diagnosis, a guiding policy, and a set of coherent actions directed at a vital few.

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Second, bad strategies try to make everyone happy through a strategy that is general enough, abstract enough that no one bothers. Bad strategies hide in big words. The good choose a clear path and abandon others; They involve making difficult decisions and will always upset someone.

(…) bad strategies end everything; Good strategies preserve what has worked and evolve towards the new.

Third, bad strategies are just “wish lists”; In good times, resources, money, people and time flow towards what is truly important. Good strategies give power to those who really make things happen. In the case of a new Government, it is necessary to accelerate the learning curve if the officials are people who come mainly from the private sector in order to quickly fit into the logic of the public sector and not be diluted in bureaucratic and legal entanglements. It is recommended to be guided by people with experience.

Fourth, bad strategies are rigid recipes; Rather, good strategies are dynamic, emerging from an ongoing understanding of the changing landscape as it aligns with the vision. In good strategies, there are “war rooms” that are well informed and connected to reality, with open-minded people who make decisions quickly and efficiently.

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Fifth, bad strategies are isolated and fragmented. Good strategies add minds, energy and actions to increase the power of performance. Good strategies take advantage of the joint effort and synergy of many, inside and outside the organization. In the Government, it is imperative to work with those who suffer from problems: with the private sector, with the academic community and foundations. The priority would be an allocentric model with less state and more society.

Sixth, bad strategies stay on top. Good strategies are brought down to earth, they are translated into agile, simple practices and management methods and flat structures.

Constituents, joint political strategy in the region

And seventh, bad strategies reshape everything. Good strategies preserve what has worked and evolve towards the new.

It is vital for the state to formulate good strategies or at least to avoid the most common mistakes that lead to bad strategies. (OR)