STRATEGIC PLANNING

Rating:
Summary: Good, but also...
Review: For those without any Strategic Management background (or those who have been out of it for a while), this book provides a good foundation to build your knowledge upon. Although it lacks the substance on application to Government stategic planning (or at least as much as I wanted to read about), the information provided helps see and extrapolate potential applicability to non-for-profit organizations. In addition, the time when the book is written (1970's) does not allow the author to explore the latest computer applications on the area of planning and to comment and analyze the latest fast growing/short turnaround technology companies. In addition to reading this book, I recommend expanding your reading further with a more recent book that may address newer companies and government agencies.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Basic Review
Review: For those without any Strategic Management background (or those who have been out of it for a while), this book provides a good foundation to build your knowledge upon. Although it lacks the substance on application to Government stategic planning (or at least as much as I wanted to read about), the information provided helps see and extrapolate potential applicability to non-for-profit organizations. In addition, the time when the book is written (1970's) does not allow the author to explore the latest computer applications on the area of planning and to comment and analyze the latest fast growing/short turnaround technology companies. In addition to reading this book, I recommend expanding your reading further with a more recent book that may address newer companies and government agencies.

Rating:
Summary: Very Basic
Review: The book was a very introductory level guide to strategic planning that would be good for someone who has little knowledge of the process. The book was published in 1979 and shows its age in recommending a full year strategic planning cycle. Most views today suggest this process should be condensed to a short period, yet still be made effective and be integrated with the budgeting process. Overall, as an experienced manager, I was disappointed as it brought very little to light that I didn't already know.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but also...
Review: This is a good introductory book. After reading this, you should read "Strategic Organizational Change" by Michael Beitler.