Organizational Strategy and Planning: Applying the 5 Ps

This essay examines organizational strategy and planning through the lens of Henry Mintzberg's 5 Ps framework: plan, pattern, position, perspective, and ploy. The paper defines strategy and explores each of the 5 Ps, providing examples to illustrate their application in real-world scenarios. The essay emphasizes the importance of a conscious and deliberate plan, the emergence of strategy from past behaviors, the consideration of individual differences and competitive advantage, the exploration of an organization's environment, and the influence of corporate culture. The conclusion highlights the value of understanding and utilizing all elements of the 5 Ps to develop a successful and achievable business strategy. The essay emphasizes the importance of a conscious and deliberate plan, the emergence of strategy from past behaviors, the consideration of individual differences and competitive advantage, the exploration of an organization's environment, and the influence of corporate culture.

Running head: ORGANISATIONAL STRATEGY AND PLANNING
Organizational Strategy and Planning
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1ORGANISATIONAL STRATEGY AND PLANNING
Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
5 Ps in Strategy development..........................................................................................................2
Strategy as a Plan.........................................................................................................................2
Strategy as a Pattern.....................................................................................................................2
Strategy about What....................................................................................................................3
Strategy as a Position...................................................................................................................3
Strategy as a Perspective.............................................................................................................3
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................4
References........................................................................................................................................5

2ORGANISATIONAL STRATEGY AND PLANNING
Introduction
Strategy can be defined as an anticipated course of action to deal with any situation
effectively. Strategy is used by different individuals in different ways. This paper will highlight
the 5Ps of strategy discussed by Henry Mintberg. Moreover, examples will also be provided as to
these 5Ps will help in the development of strategy. Strategy can also be referred to as a set of
options which is necessary for a fixed plan. Each of the 5Ps is regarded as a different approach to
strategy (Postma & Zwart, 2015).
5 Ps in Strategy development
Strategy as a Plan
Strategy is a consciously and deliberately course of action. Some people apply these
strategies in advance of the actions in which they apply. They also develop the strategies
purposefully and consciously. It is important for all the leaders in an organization to follow a
specific plan. It is regarded as an automatic approach which is adopted by all the leaders. In an
organization and it involves definite planning as how to deliver them. For example, as I am the
assistant manager of an organization, I need to handle a team of 50 members. To manage the
members effectively, I need to make a certain plan and accordingly follow them.
Strategy as a Pattern
It is often seen that strategy emerges from the past behavior of an organization. It is a
successful and consistent way of running the business rather than just being an intentional
choice. For example, as I am the manager I need to take certain decisions which enhance a
highly responsive customer support process. I also need to choose deliberately a process of

3ORGANISATIONAL STRATEGY AND PLANNING
strategic advantage. This will enhance the working capacity of the team and it will also help me
to carry out my duties in a responsible manner (Jarzabkowski et al., 2016).
Strategy about What
There must be certain strategies for every work that is to be done. It is also important to
follow the tactics which will help to achieve the strategies in a short span of time. Strategies vary
because of individual differences. It is also regarded as the means of outsmarting the
competition. For example, as I am the manager of the company, I will follow or adopt such a
strategy which will benefit help the company for the development of its business. I will apply
these strategies according to my own knowledge and capacity. There is another manager in the
company who may not adopt my strategy and thus he/she might also not co-operate with my
strategies (Buchko, 2015).
Strategy as a Position
Strategy helps to explore the organization and the environment and thus develop a
competitive advantage. It is better to consider the organization in a greater perspective when
thinking of any organization. For example, I need to check that the products of the company are
distinctive and are provided at a low cost to the customers.
Strategy as a Perspective
Strategy is defined in terms of competitive personality and the culture which the
company has adopted over time. The company is viewed in the eyes of the management as well
as the employees according to this perspective. For example, I have adopted certain strategies
which will benefit the employees in the long run and thus it will benefit the employees.

4ORGANISATIONAL STRATEGY AND PLANNING
I would like to describe myself as following the strategy for a particular pattern. It is
useless to work if the strategy is followed without any plans and there is no definite goals which
would be met if the strategy is followed (Yanney, 2014).
Conclusion
Thus, it can be said that the 5Ps as proposed by Mintzberg can be referred to as a
plausible suggestion of strategy in different context. It is gaining competitive advantage over
others and must be have a specific goal. It is therefore necessary to understand and use all the
elements of 5Ps which will help in developing an achievable business strategy.

5ORGANISATIONAL STRATEGY AND PLANNING
References
Buchko, A. A. (2015). Small Businesses as Captive Companies: Business Strategy and Firm
Performance Among US Auto Suppliers. Journal of Small Business Strategy, 3(1), 31-44.
Jarzabkowski, P., Kaplan, S., Seidl, D., & Whittington, R. (2016). On the risk of studying
practices in isolation: Linking what, who, and how in strategy research. Strategic
Organization, 14(3), 248-259.
Postma, T. J., & Zwart, P. S. (2015). Strategic Research and Performance of SMEs'. Journal of
small business strategy, 12(2), 52-64.
Yanney, J. P. (2014). Business Strategy and Leadership Style: Impact on Organizational
Performance in the Manufacturing Sector in Ghana.