Strategic Planning has evolved over the years.  In the old days, Management By Objectives (MBO) was the approach, where executive leadership would provide high-level objectives and allow their teams a wide berth in figuring out how to achieve them.  This often led to disconnected and fragmented efforts.

This process is very tight in great lean companies.  As a result, efforts are synchronized to keep the team aligned and pulling in the right direction.  Everyone is better focused on both the “what” and the “how”, from the Business Unit level through the various operations and locations, down to specific projects on the floor.  The teams present concise status updates that facilitate timely feedback and redirection as needed.  Projects are connected to developmental plans for team members.