FINDING A METHOD FOR THE MADNESS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF STRATEGIC DESIGN METHODOLOGIES
Abstract
The twenty-first century national security environment is complex, ill-defined, and fraught with unique challenges and actors. Maintaining U.S. advantage in this environment requires whole of government strategy, aligning the actions of all instruments and sources of power against a security threat. While existing policy espouses a whole of government approach, the U.S. government lacks a mechanism to develop a subsequent strategy. This paper posits strategic design to develop holistic,integrated strategy at the strategic-level. Using strategy and design theory, the work develops a comparative model for strategic design methodologies, focusing on the primary elements of vision, time, process, communication and collaboration, and risk assessment. My analysis dissects and compares three potential design methodologies including, net assessment, scenarios and strategic conversations, and the Multi-Domain Operational Strategists Strategic Design Methodology highlighting their strengths and weaknesses within the model. The comparison concludes that the Multi-Domain Operational Strategists Strategic Design Method is the most complete methodology of those assessed but also finds that the net assessment and scenarios and strategic conversations methodologies provide tools useful in strategy development.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1047173
Entities
People
- Amanda Donnelly
Organizations
- School of Advanced Air and Space Studies