Principlev1

Design strategy statements to make tradeoffs explicit

Design strategy statements to make tradeoffs explicit through 'prioritize X over Y' framing, because strategy's power comes from what it excludes and ambiguous priorities provide no guidance when values conflict.

Why This Is a Principle

Derived from Human values are incommensurable—they cannot be measured on (values are incommensurable—cannot be measured on single scale) and Attention is a finite cognitive resource that must be (attention is finite and must be allocated). This prescribes making tradeoffs explicit in strategy because incommensurable values cannot all be maximized simultaneously and finite attention must be allocated. It's actionable guidance that follows from resource/value constraints.

Source Lessons

L-1624

Strategy is an organizational schema

A strategy is not a plan or a set of goals. It is a shared mental model of how the organization creates and captures value — a schema that tells every member what to prioritize, what to ignore, and how their work connects to the organization's purpose. When the strategy schema is clear and shared, the organization acts with coherence. When it is vague or fragmented, even talented people pull in contradictory directions.

Connections

Derived From (2)

AxiomHuman values are incommensurable—they cannot be measured on AxiomAttention is a finite cognitive resource that must be

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