What is strategic drift? What are the possible ways to avoid strategic drift?

What is strategic drift? 

Strategic drift is a concept of strategic management that refers to the response of organization when going through a changing environment. Different situations and unexpected challenges are very common aspects that may arise anytime when driving and developing strategic change within the organization. Strategic drift can be defined as those situations for which organizations fail to result the expected strategic outcome.
It has seen to be a reason for which management loses focus from the actual strategic plan and gets involved to another course of action that is less significant. Even sometimes the senior management becomes a victim of strategic drift and then starts to give priority to a minor thing, leaving an actual problem which is much critical than the minor one.


How to avoid strategic Drift?

Not only strategic drift does distract the management but also causes a loss of momentum. It can also waste time, money and valuable resources. Thus, it increases the total operating cost. In fact, sometimes it leads organizations far away from achieving competitive advantage. Therefore, it is very important for organizations to make it sure that they can avoid unnecessary strategic actions or strategic drifts. Some effective ways to avoid strategic drifts are:


Firstly, to develop a flexible environment within the organization so that the middle and lower management can effectively participate in the decision making process.

Secondly, managers need to be willing to listen to the views and opinions of their subordinates. They should welcome and encourage feedback.

Thirdly, managers need to be able to clearly identify the nature of new challenges and prioritize them according to importance.

Finally, organizations must have to plan a comprehensive, well-focused, and clearly stated set of strategies.


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