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Strategy Development > Strategy Direction Setting > Questions

This phase will help to address questions such as:

What should be the guiding principles underpinning strategy in this area?

• What is the rationale for government intervention?
• Which existing government principles are relevant to this area?
• What relevant principles or values exist at the department level?
• Is there a clear will amongst the public or politicians for how to approach the issues?

What is the vision for the future?

• What are the real problems and issues that need to be addressed?
• What are the drivers and trends?
• What are the potential alternative futures?
• What is the cultural and political context?
• What are the constraints or barriers to potential delivery options?
• What are the views, concerns and perspectives of key sponsors and stakeholders?
• How radical are ministers prepared to be?
• How does the vision fit with strategy and vision in other areas?

What aims and objectives could be set to realise the vision?

• What needs to be achieved in the short, medium and long term to realise the desired future?
• Where are the biggest opportunities to create public value?
• What choices and trade-offs will need to be made?
• What is the organisational and system capacity available?
• What kind of support can be expected from those with authority and influence?

What is the preferred strategic direction?

• How suitable is each objective for addressing the key issues and creating public value?
• How feasible is each objective given the available delivery resources and competencies?
• How acceptable is each objective to key stakeholders?
• How robust is each objective under possible future outcomes?

Is the team working to maximum effectiveness?

• Does the current division of work and responsibilities still make sense?
• Is now the time for an informal mid-project appraisal for team members?
• Should any changes be made to the composition of the team as policy work draws closer?
• Is there a clear paper trail, and well organised documentation for future reference?