Forecasting is a planning tool used to estimate what may happen in the future based on evidence, data, assumptions, trends and judgement. At its simplest, forecasting asks: What is likely to happen, what evidence supports that…

Horizon scanning is a strategic planning and foresight tool used to identify early signs of change that could affect an organisation, sector, market, project or community. At its simplest, horizon scanning asks: What is changing, what…

A risk appetite statement is a governance and risk management document that explains how much risk an organisation is willing to accept, tolerate or avoid in pursuit of its objectives. At its simplest, a risk appetite…

Internal audit is an independent and objective assurance and advisory activity used to help an organisation evaluate and improve its governance, risk management and internal control arrangements. At its simplest, internal audit asks: Are the organisation’s…

A business continuity plan, often shortened to BCP, is a practical management document that sets out how an organisation will continue operating, recover critical activities and communicate effectively during and after a serious disruption. At its…

Bow-tie analysis is a risk management tool used to show how a risk can develop, what might cause it, what consequences could follow, and what controls are in place to prevent or reduce harm. At its…

An assumptions log is a practical management tool used to record, track, test and review the assumptions that an organisation, project, service or decision relies upon. At its simplest, an assumptions log asks: What are we…

An issue log is a practical project and management tool used to record, track, manage and resolve problems that have already occurred or are currently affecting a project, service, organisation or decision. At its simplest, an…

A risk matrix is a practical risk management tool used to assess and prioritise risks by considering two main factors: Likelihood Impact At its simplest, a risk matrix asks: How likely is this risk to happen,…

Objectives and Key Results, usually shortened to OKRs, are a goal-setting framework used to define what an organisation, team or individual wants to achieve and how progress will be measured. At their simplest, OKRs ask: What…

The Lean Canvas is a strategic planning tool used to describe, test and improve a business idea quickly. At its simplest, Lean Canvas asks: What problem are we solving, who are we solving it for, how…

The Value Proposition Canvas is a strategic planning tool used to understand what customers need, what problems they face, what outcomes they want, and how a product, service or organisation can create value for them. At…

The BCG Matrix, also known as the Growth Share Matrix, is a strategic planning tool used to assess products, services, business units or activities based on two factors: Market growth Relative market share At its simplest,…

VRIO analysis is a strategic planning tool used to assess whether an organisation’s resources and capabilities can create a competitive advantage. The standard term is VRIO, although it is sometimes mistyped as VIRO. VRIO stands for:…

he Business Model Canvas is a strategic planning tool used to describe, test and improve how an organisation creates, delivers and captures value. At its simplest, the Business Model Canvas asks: Who do we serve, what…

Blue Ocean Strategy: A Practical Guide to Creating New Market Space and Making Competition Less Relevant Blue Ocean Strategy is a strategic planning approach used to help organisations move away from crowded, highly competitive markets and…

he Resource-Based View, often shortened to RBV, is a strategic management framework used to understand how an organisation’s internal resources and capabilities can create competitive advantage. At its simplest, the Resource-Based View asks: What do we…

Value chain analysis is a strategic planning tool used to understand the activities through which an organisation creates, delivers and supports value for its customers, clients, service users or stakeholders. At its simplest, value chain analysis…

Stakeholder analysis is a strategic planning tool used to identify the people, groups and organisations that can affect, or be affected by, a project, organisation, policy, service or decision. At its simplest, stakeholder analysis asks: Who…

Competitor analysis is a strategic planning tool used to understand who an organisation competes with, how those competitors operate, where they are strong, where they are vulnerable, and how your own organisation should respond. It is…