Identifying Strategic Issues: Looking Beyond the Technical
When I work with organizations to build a strategic plan, one of the first things we focus on is identifying and addressing strategic issues. But what does that really mean? How are strategic issues different from other types of challenges? And why is it so important to uncover them?
Strategic vs. Technical Issues
At their core, strategic issues are the fundamental challenges that affect an organization’s ability to fulfill its mission. Identifying these issues is central to the strategic planning process.
Unfortunately, many organizations spend their time and energy discussing technical issues instead. When that happens, the resulting plan ends up being an operations plan—helpful for day-to-day improvements but lacking true strategic impact.
Technical issues are problems within existing systems that cause inefficiencies. They can certainly affect performance, but they typically have clear, predefined solutions. Leaders simply need to identify and implement the fix. Think of it like a leaky faucet: it’s annoying and wasteful, but the solution is straightforward—replace the washer and move on.
Strategic issues, on the other hand, are complex, multifaceted, and tied directly to your organization’s purpose. They often involve multiple stakeholders and require deep, and sometimes difficult, conversations about what should be done, why it matters, and how to move forward. Identifying these issues demands time, exploration, and honest dialogue among leaders. If left unresolved, strategic issues can have serious, long-term consequences for the organization.
Finding and Addressing Strategic Issues
There’s no one-size-fits-all method for identifying strategic issues. The right approach depends on factors like your organization’s culture, structure, sense of urgency, current systems, and leadership engagement. No matter the approach, the process requires intentionality and patience to truly understand what’s holding your organization back—and what will move it forward.
Sometimes, it takes an outside perspective to see clearly. A trusted consultant can help uncover blind spots, facilitate productive dialogue, and guide your team through a proven process for identifying and addressing strategic issues.
Gain Clarity and Maximize Your Impact
Do you know which strategic issues are keeping your organization from achieving its mission? Are you stuck focusing on technical problems instead of the bigger picture?
At Mustful Strategic Consulting, we help organizations uncover their true strategic challenges and chart a clear path forward. Through guided conversations and professional tools, we help you find clarity amid complexity—so you can focus on what matters most and maximize your impact.