Good Strategy Bad Strategy

In Short

Distinguish real strategy from fluff and build a coherent kernel
Best for: Rumelt's strategy diagnosis framework
Good Strategy Bad Strategy is a structured tool for coaching and facilitation. Distinguish real strategy from fluff and build a coherent kernel. It provides a repeatable framework that can be adapted to individual, team, and leadership development contexts.
Type of tool: Rumelt's strategy diagnosis framework
Expected outcomes:
- Improved ability to distinguish real strategy from fluff and build a coherent kernel
- A concrete action or development plan to take forward from the Good Strategy Bad Strategy process

In Detail

Good Strategy Bad Strategy is a structured framework designed to help coaches, leaders, and facilitators distinguish real strategy from fluff and build a coherent kernel. It sits within the category of Rumelt's strategy diagnosis framework, making it particularly useful for practitioners working on capability development, team performance, and individual growth in organisational settings.

In practice, Good Strategy Bad Strategy is delivered as a 6-step process. The process begins by introduce Rumelt's Kernel of Strategy: Diagnosis, Guiding Policy, Coherent Actions. The session closes by rewrite the strategy kernel together. The structured approach ensures that participants move through a consistent experience while leaving room for the facilitator to adapt pacing and depth to the group's needs.

Good Strategy Bad Strategy provides a shared vocabulary that persists beyond the session itself. When team members reference the same model in day-to-day work, coaching outcomes become embedded in practice rather than remaining as isolated insights from a single workshop.

How to Use

1. Introduce Rumelt's Kernel of Strategy: Diagnosis, Guiding Policy, Coherent Actions. 2. Test whether the organisation's current strategy has a real diagnosis of the challenge (not just a description). 3. Identify whether the guiding policy creates focus and trade-offs. 4. Check if the actions are coherent and reinforcing. 5. Contrast with bad strategy hallmarks: fluff, failure to face the challenge, mistaking goals for strategy. 6. Rewrite the strategy kernel together.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Provides a shared vocabulary that persists after the session and supports ongoing conversations Structured approach ensures consistent application across different cohorts and contexts Directly addresses the challenge of distinguish real strategy from fluff and build a coherent kernel through a proven conceptual structure	Risk of over-applying the model — not all situations fit neatly into any single framework Conceptual frameworks require skilled facilitation to connect theory to participants' actual work Some models have limited research evidence; practitioners should be transparent about this

Created by Richard Rumelt

When to Use

This tool is suited to the following coaching and facilitation contexts:

Context	Relevant
Individual Coaching
Team Coaching	✓
Leadership Development	✓
Facilitation / Workshop
Online / Virtual

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