# Processes Backlog - Business Strategy and Operations

This backlog defines the key processes for the Business Strategy and Operations specialization. These processes cover strategic planning, operations management, business development, corporate strategy, and business transformation. Each process is designed to be implemented as an automated workflow that guides practitioners through structured methodologies while maintaining flexibility for organizational context and requirements.

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## Strategic Analysis Processes

- [ ] **SWOT Analysis** - Systematic evaluation of organizational Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats to inform strategic decision-making. [Reference](https://hbr.org/1996/11/what-is-strategy)

- [ ] **Porter's Five Forces Analysis** - Comprehensive analysis of industry competitive dynamics through threat of new entrants, supplier power, buyer power, substitutes, and competitive rivalry. [Reference](https://hbr.org/2008/01/the-five-competitive-forces-that-shape-strategy)

- [ ] **PESTEL Analysis** - Macro-environmental scanning of Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal factors affecting the organization. [Reference](https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights)

- [ ] **Scenario Planning** - Development of multiple plausible future scenarios to stress-test strategies and improve organizational adaptability. [Reference](https://www.bcg.com/henderson-institute)

- [ ] **Competitive Intelligence Gathering** - Systematic collection, analysis, and dissemination of information about competitors, market trends, and industry dynamics. [Reference](https://www.bain.com/insights/)

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## Business Model and Value Creation Processes

- [ ] **Business Model Canvas Development** - Structured approach to designing, documenting, and iterating on business models using the nine building blocks framework. [Reference](https://www.strategyzer.com/)

- [ ] **Value Proposition Design** - Customer-centric methodology for creating products and services that address customer jobs, pains, and gains. [Reference](https://www.strategyzer.com/)

- [ ] **Blue Ocean Strategy Formulation** - Framework for creating uncontested market space through value innovation using the Four Actions Framework and Strategy Canvas. [Reference](https://www.blueoceanstrategy.com/books/)

- [ ] **Core Competency Assessment** - Identification and evaluation of distinctive organizational capabilities that provide competitive advantage. [Reference](https://hbr.org/1990/05/the-core-competence-of-the-corporation)

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## Strategic Planning and Execution Processes

- [ ] **Annual Strategic Planning Cycle** - End-to-end facilitation of the annual strategic planning process from environmental analysis through initiative prioritization and resource allocation. [Reference](https://hbr.org/product/playing-to-win-how-strategy-really-works/12601-HBK-ENG)

- [ ] **OKR Development and Cascading** - Implementation of Objectives and Key Results framework including goal setting, alignment, tracking, and review cycles. [Reference](https://www.whatmatters.com/the-book)

- [ ] **Balanced Scorecard Implementation** - Design and deployment of performance management system across financial, customer, internal process, and learning perspectives. [Reference](https://hbr.org/1992/01/the-balanced-scorecard-measures-that-drive-performance-2)

- [ ] **Strategy Map Creation** - Visual articulation of strategic objectives and cause-and-effect relationships across organizational dimensions. [Reference](https://hbr.org/product/the-strategy-focused-organization-how-balanced-scorecard-companies-thrive-in-the-new-business-environment/8377-HBK-ENG)

- [ ] **Strategic Initiative Portfolio Management** - Prioritization, resource allocation, and governance of strategic initiatives using portfolio management principles. [Reference](https://www.pmi.org/)

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## Operational Excellence Processes

- [ ] **Lean Process Optimization** - Application of lean principles to eliminate waste, improve flow, and maximize value delivery across operational processes. [Reference](https://www.mheducation.com/highered/product/toyota-way-second-edition-14-management-principles-from-world-s-greatest-manufacturer-liker/9780071392310.html)

- [ ] **Six Sigma DMAIC Improvement** - Data-driven quality improvement methodology following Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control phases. [Reference](https://asq.org/cert/six-sigma)

- [ ] **Business Process Reengineering** - Fundamental rethinking and radical redesign of business processes to achieve dramatic improvements in performance. [Reference](https://hbr.org/1999/09/decoding-the-dna-of-the-toyota-production-system)

- [ ] **Value Stream Mapping** - End-to-end visualization and analysis of material and information flows required to deliver value to customers. [Reference](https://www.ascm.org/)

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## Change Management and Transformation Processes

- [ ] **Kotter 8-Step Change Management** - Structured approach to leading organizational change through urgency creation, coalition building, vision communication, and institutionalization. [Reference](https://www.kotterinc.com/book/leading-change/)

- [ ] **Digital Transformation Roadmapping** - Strategic planning for technology-enabled business transformation including capability assessment, initiative prioritization, and implementation planning. [Reference](https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights.html)

- [ ] **Operating Model Redesign** - Comprehensive redesign of organizational structure, processes, governance, and capabilities to support strategic objectives. [Reference](https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Reframing+Organizations%3A+Artistry%2C+Choice%2C+and+Leadership%2C+7th+Edition-p-9781119756842)

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## Mergers, Acquisitions, and Growth Processes

- [ ] **M&A Target Screening and Evaluation** - Systematic identification, screening, and preliminary assessment of acquisition targets against strategic criteria. [Reference](https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/)

- [ ] **Due Diligence Framework** - Comprehensive investigation methodology covering financial, operational, legal, and strategic aspects of potential transactions. [Reference](https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/)

- [ ] **Post-Merger Integration Planning** - Structured approach to integration planning and execution including synergy identification, cultural alignment, and operational consolidation. [Reference](https://www.bain.com/insights/)

- [ ] **Growth Strategy Development (Ansoff Matrix)** - Systematic evaluation of growth options across market penetration, market development, product development, and diversification dimensions. [Reference](https://hbr.org/2008/12/reinventing-your-business-model)

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## Business Case and Decision Support Processes

- [ ] **Business Case Development** - Structured methodology for developing investment proposals including problem definition, options analysis, financial modeling, and risk assessment. [Reference](https://www.iiba.org/career-resources/babok-guide/)

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*Last updated: January 2026*

*Note: Each process will be implemented as an automated workflow with quality gates, verification steps, and iterative refinement capabilities.*
