There are many different frameworks and methodologies for strategic
planning and management. While there are no absolute rules regarding the
right framework, most follow a similar pattern and have common
attributes. Many frameworks cycle through some variation on some
very basic phases: 1) analysis or assessment, where an understanding of
the current internal and external environments is developed,
2) strategy formulation, where high level strategy is developed and a
basic organization level strategic plan is documented 3) strategy
execution, where the high level plan is translated into more
operational planning and action items, and 4) evaluation or sustainment /
management phase, where ongoing refinement and evaluation of
performance, culture, communications, data reporting, and other
strategic management issues occurs.