Understanding Strategy

Most organizations have a strategy that describes where they are going, why they are going there, and how they will get there. It is often useful for us to understand these strategies: if we do, we can interact more successfully with the organizations. Understanding Strategy explains a theory of strategy based on four factors: what it is, the forces that shape it, the processes that form it, and the mechanisms it relies on to take effect. The book presents a uniquely clear, specific conception of strategy, making it possible to analyze and compare the strategies of businesses, non-profits, unions, social clubs, administrative or political branches of governments, or even individual people. The explanation is supported by actual analyses of ten real-but anonymous-organizations.

Geoffrey Chamberlain is an experienced strategy practitioner. For thirteen years it was his job to propose strategy to the CEO and board of a large, well-known Australian company. During a career spanning executive positions in engineering, finance, information technology, government relations, planning, and a federal cabinet member's staff, he has earned three post-graduate degrees: Doctor of Business Administration, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Engineering Science. He is married with three children, and lives in Melbourne, Australia.