Strategic Direction for DataTrack: Vision, Planning, and Communication

Running head: STRATEGIC DIRECTION
Strategic direction
Name of student
Name of University
Author note

1
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
Executive summary
From the report, knowledge has been derived regarding the various processes
associated with the accomplishment of vision and strategic direction along with the link
between these aspects for facilitating the strategic planning process. Being a consultant, I was
assigned with the task of managing the project proposal and at the same time, encourage
critical thinking about the various aspects of strategic management along with the
development and implementation of vision and strategic direction effectively. There was need
to monitor the strategic planning process while the management of openness, transparency
and honesty were critical factors associated with the development of strategic planning and
management of vision and strategic direction too. It was important to engage the stakeholders
and keep them informed about the processes of implementing vision and strategic direction
for the purpose of remaining aligned with the corporate values, beliefs and goals to be
achieved. The important of leadership and its influence on the encouragement and motivation
to achieve the strategic vision and direction should also benefit the organisation by
strengthening employees’ skills and knowledge, furthermore, allow them to perform to their
potential with ease and efficiency.

2
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................4
Task 1.........................................................................................................................................5
Relationship between vision, strategic direction, and strategic planning...............................5
Analysis of factors that impact on organisations and the vision............................................6
Providing support to the strategic direction and vision of the organisation...........................7
Task 2.........................................................................................................................................8
Processes involved in creating a vision for the organization.................................................8
Methods used to communicate the vision and strategic direction to stakeholders.................9
Challenges faced by the organisation while communicating vision and strategic direction 11
Task 3.......................................................................................................................................12
Process of implementing the vision and strategic direction.................................................12
Leadership behaviour promotes the achievement of organizational vision and strategic
direction................................................................................................................................14
Conclusion................................................................................................................................15
References................................................................................................................................15

3
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
Introduction
The report is prepared to discuss about the management of strategic direction to
ensure accomplishment of business goals and objectives and at the same time, gain
acceptance for a particular project. I have been employed as a consultant of the national
organisation named Coverhill Limited in Saudi Arabia. The line manager of the company has
encouraged me to develop a project proposal for DataTrack, a major IT service organisation
that has aimed at developing an appropriate vision and strategic direction to reach the goals
and objectives perfectly. My roles and responsibilities are to ensure that the various
documents are used to support the project proposal for DataTrack and make sure that the
project brings favourable results (Werhahn et al. 2015). After acceptance of the proposal, it is
my duty to consult with the line manager and work with DataTrack regarding the
development of strategic vision and direction, required to understand their thinking as well as
respond appropriately to the queries for understanding the planned changes and implement
approaches appropriate to gain success in the future as well.
The aims or objectives of the report are to understand the various concepts related to
strategic vision and direction and how these are interconnected with each other. It will also
provide an insight about the way communication will be possible along with following the
right vision and strategic direction to reach the end goals and ensure acceptance of the project
proposal by DataTrack.
The report will present an idea about the relationship between the vision, strategic
direction and strategic planning and also analyse the various factors associated with the
development of vision and strategic direction. The processes engaged while developing the
vision and direction along with communicating the stakeholders with the help of various
methods and techniques will also be an integral part of the proposal (Cassidy 2016). The

4
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
challenges that may be faced while communicating the vision and strategic direction will also
be supported with the use of information and data, furthermore, ensure accuracy of the
project delivered.
Task 1
Relationship between vision, strategic direction, and strategic planning
The main purpose of the strategic planning is to align the vision of the organisation
with the mission and ensure making preparation for strategic planning, furthermore maage
the values, beliefs, strategic and tactics required to meet the business goals and objectives
with ease and efficiency. Without the management of a proper mission and vision, the
strategic plan for roadmap will not be properly developed, which can create issues and
challenges while managing strategic planning process effectively as well (Eden and
Ackermann 2013).
The business organisation named DataTrack, in spite of possessing a strong vision
and mission, must monitor the strategic planning process and ensure that each and every
members of the strategic planning team should be aware of the strategic vision and mission,
furthermore ensure keeping the stakeholders engaged and create a foundation of planning
efficiently too. As a management consultant, I would like to consult with the line manager
and discuss about the various aspects of strategic planning, which could be beneficial for
making early assumptions and make investments and take time to create the mission, vision
and value statements (Hohberger, Almeida and Parada 2015). The vision represents the
purpose of the organisation and for DataTrack, it is to become a major IT solutions and
services company in Saudi Arabia in the future. Based on the vision, the future state of the
organisation can be understood, which shall also allow the organisational members to work
collaboratively and develop a framework for both strategic and operational planning. The

5
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
organisation desires to become one of the largest IT solutions and Services Company hoping
to sustain in the future and thus, it has also se a direction for strategic as well as operational
planning (Amran and Keat Ooi 2014). Though the vision does not represent the way of
reaching the vision statement, still it could be effective for creating a proper direction that
should be followed to implement an effective strategic planning process, furthermore ensure
meeting the organisational goals and objectives. This would also contribute to the
management of decision making process and also facilitate the management and allocation of
resources, both human and financial resources required to manage smooth business
functioning and also attain the desired state in the future within quick time and with accuracy
(Coltman et al. 2015). Therefore, it could be stated that the organisation vision for DataTrack
could be a major aspect for creating a strategic direction to assist in strategic planning process
much more conveniently.
Analysis of factors that impact on organisations and the vision
There are a large number of factors, both internal and external that are associated with
the influence created on the organisation as well as on the strategic vision. As a management
consultant, I would like to make the line manager informed about the specificity of the vision
and also ensure that the specifications are assessed properly in details and then a particular
specification is visualised for grabbing the right scopes and opportunities required to achieve
the target and ensure the project proposal to be successful from own perspective (Alkhafaji
and Nelson 2013). Considering the fact that strategic vision plays a vital role in the strategic
planning process, so it will be essential for the organisation to do the right things the right
way and also allow the members of the organisation to perform ethically. The management of
honesty, openness and transparency are also critical for creating the right strategic vision
while at the same time, allow for managing good personality and behaviours required to
reflect the core own values and beliefs too. Another major factor contributing to the