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Strategy Development > Strategy Direction Setting > Output

Preferred strategic direction

The primary output from this phase will be the definition of the new strategic direction, which as far as possible will have the support of the project's sponsor and all key stakeholders. However, a degree of judgement and discernment will be needed to know when is it right to set a new course despite opposition. Even the most successful reform programmes may start life as controversial proposals, and take leadership and commitment from government to set the strategic direction and see it through to fruition.

The strategic direction will be expressed through:

• A vision describing the desired state of the future
• A number of aims and short, medium and long term objectives that need to be achieved in order to bring it about.

Although it is unlikely that a formal written document will be appropriate at this stage, a working document describing the preferred strategic direction will help to ensure common understanding.