Strategic Thinking Schools
Strategic thinking has been a part of human civilization since the dawn of time. Strategies have been used to gain an advantage, win a war, or simply accomplish a goal. It wasnt until recent decades, though, that strategists and theorists have begun to explore the deeper elements of strategic thinking. There are ten schools of thought within the field of strategic thinking which focus on different aspects of long-term strategic planning. This article covers the different schools of thought and provides an introduction to each.
1. Classical School
The Classical School of thought dates back to ancient Greece and Rome, where these thinkers emphasized the need for grand strategy applied to large-scale military operations. The school believes that strategy should be used to facilitate a broader purpose, not just achieve goals in the tactical domain.
2. Racional School
The Rational School of thought was developed in Europe during the Enlightenment period, and it emphasizes the use of logical and systematic processes to plan, implement, and evaluate strategies. This school believes in a top-down approach to strategic planning and relies heavily on analytics and data-driven decision making.
3. Political School
The Political School of thought dates to the early 1800s and focuses on understanding the political environment in which a strategic planning process takes place. This school of thought believes that the most effective strategies are those that are shaped by a thorough understanding of existing social, political, and legal influences.
4. Creative School
The Creative School of thought has gained prominence in recent decades, and it calls for a more imaginative approach to strategic thinking. This school emphasizes the importance of innovation and rapid iteration in the implementation of a strategic plan.
5. Historical School
The Historical School of thought emerged in the mid-1800s and focuses on the importance of understanding the past in order to plan for the future. This school believes that the best strategic plans are those which take into account the forces of history, culture, and geography in order to minimize risk and maximize effectiveness.
6. Behaviorist School
The Behaviorist School of thought emerged in the mid-1900s and calls for an understanding of human behavior in order to create successful strategies. This school emphasizes the need to understand the motivations of both individuals and groups in order to formulate an effective strategic plan.
7. Contemptive School
The Contemptive School of thought emerged in the late 1800s and focuses on understanding the psychological and emotional reactions of individuals and groups to various strategies. This school places special emphasis on the need to understand the human factor in strategic thinking.
8. Geopolitical School
The Geopolitical School of thought emerged in the early 1900s and notes the importance of understanding the global political environment in order to create an effective strategy. This school believes that strategies must be designed with an understanding of the dynamics between countries, regions, and power centers.
9. Global School
The Global School of thought has become increasingly important in recent years due to the rapid advance of global integration. This school emphasizes the necessity of understanding the interconnectedness of global political and economic forces in order to formulate successful strategies.
10. Critical Thinking School
The Critical Thinking School of thought focuses on the ability to think logically and objectively in order to create and evaluate effective strategies. This school emphasizes the need to use critical thinking skills to analyze various strategic options and identify the most beneficial solutions.
Conclusion
These are some of the most influential schools of thought within the field of strategic thinking. Each school has its own distinct approach and methods of strategy creation and evaluation. This article provides a brief overview of each school and highlights the differences between them. By understanding the basic principles underlying each school, strategists can gain a better understanding of the strategic planning process and the tools needed to succeed.
