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V1: December 2018

Defining strategic thinking

December 11, 2018 by Diana Montalion

In this inaugural edition of Architecting Enterprise, we begin at the beginning: strategic thinking. Strategic thinking is the alpha topic because crafting context gives meaning and value to everything we do.

The value of every decision we make depends on the context in which we make it. In The Lord of the Rings, Frodo’s journey to destroy the ring is meaningful inside the context of Middle Earth. Otherwise, he’s a short, hairy guy with apocalyptic hallucinations. Tolkien didn’t simply describe a journey, he crafted a framework in which the journey, and Frodo’s choices, have value. 

In the real world, crafting a framework is also the vocation of strategic thinkers. “Crafting” is an apt descriptor. Many types of thinking — creative, analytical, critical, divergent, convergent, concrete and abstract —  are central to strategic work. Alone, they are scraps of metal. Conveying ideas through writing, editing, whiteboarding, storytelling, researching, modeling, structuring, discussing, debating and re-modeling forges them into something transformative. Tolkien enabled us to see what he saw.

The ephemeral materials that give a framework structure are context, concept and integrity. Context is an understanding of the circumstances. Concept is the abstract idea, analogy or mental image that encompasses “the circumstances.” When a framework hangs together well, clearly conveying elegant simplicity, we say the structure has integrity. Integrity is the glue that holds context together as concept evolves into reality. Middle Earth has integrity.

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Edition: V1: December 2018Topics: Strategic thinking & leadership

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About Architecting Enterprise

Every month, Architecting Enterprise supports readers in their never-ending quest to integrate people and technology with reality. We focus on strategic thinking, integration leadership, building trust, argumentation and mapping the collaborative journey. Our goal is to improve the delivery of business-critical technology by improving the way people think about technology systems and delivery.

Current Edition

Systems thinking as collective decision making

By Diana Montalion

Strategic and systems thinking are interrelated and interdependent. Technology initiatives, especially complex ones, rely on both. Avoid drowning in the gaps between them. Build bridges with strong collective decision making.

Previous Edition

Defining strategic thinking

December 11, 2018 By Diana Montalion

The value of every decision we make depends on the context in which we make it. Strategic thinkers craft context and convey concepts, giving meaning and value to everything we do.

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