Using a Strategy Screen to Make Smarter Decisions
Making decisions is what being a leader is all about. Every day, you face choices that shape the future of your organization. Some of these choices have little impact on your long-term direction. Other decisions are pivotal in determining your organization’s future.
So, how can you improve your odds of making wise, strategic decisions?
I like the strategy screen. It’s a powerful tool to guide consistent values and mission-centered decision-making.
What Is a Strategy Screen?
A strategy screen is a simple yet effective framework for evaluating decisions. It’s a set of criteria—aligned with your mission, vision, and values—that helps you assess opportunities and challenges.
It’s like a filter that clarifies your priorities, keeps your team aligned, and ensures that your decisions reinforce your strategy.
By using a strategy screen, you can:
Eliminate guesswork and gut-only decisions.
Save time by focusing on what matters most.
Build trust and alignment across your team.
How It Works
A strategy screen typically consists of 5–7 questions tailored to your organization’s priorities.
What should those priorities be? You get to decide.
Each question is designed to evaluate a potential decision against your long-term goals and values. Here’s an example:
Does this align with our mission and core values?
Will this decision advance our strategic goals?
Do we have the resources (time, people, budget) to execute this effectively?
What is the potential impact (positive or negative) on our stakeholders?
Does this strengthen our long-term sustainability?
When a new opportunity or challenge arises, you run it through the screen. The result is a structured evaluation process, allowing you to weigh options objectively.
When to Use a Strategy Screen
Big Decisions: Use the strategy screen to evaluate significant initiatives like launching a new program, entering a partnership, or pursuing a grant.
Recurring Challenges: Create consistency in how your team approaches common decisions, such as allocating resources or choosing between competing priorities.
Aligning Stakeholders: Use the screen in group discussions to get everyone on the same page. This reduces bias and ensures all voices are heard.
Example in Action
Let’s say your nonprofit receives an offer for a restricted grant. It’s a large sum, but it requires significant new programs and reporting obligations. Here’s how the strategy screen might help:
Does it align with our mission and core values?
Yes, the grant supports our mission of youth development.
Will it advance our strategic goals?
Yes, if it helps expand our mentoring program, a key priority.
Do we have the resources to execute it effectively?
No, the new reporting requirements and program costs could strain our team.
Does it have a clear ROI for our mission?
Mixed. It could strengthen programs but pull focus from our core work.
Does it strengthen long-term sustainability?
No, the funds are restricted, making it hard to invest in infrastructure.
Based on this analysis, you may want to pass on the grant—or work with the funder for a better option.
Why It Matters
Without a strategy screen, decisions can feel inconsistent, driven by emotion, politics, or urgency. A strategy screen brings clarity and discipline to your process. Over time, it fosters trust—within your team, with your board, and among stakeholders—because decisions are transparently tied to your values and strategy.
Building Your Own Strategy Screen
Define Core Criteria: Base these on your mission, values, and strategic priorities.
Collaborate: Engage your team in creating the screen to build buy-in.
Test and Refine: Use it on a few decisions, then tweak the criteria as needed.
Closing Thoughts
The strategy screen is more than a tool—it’s a mindset shift. It moves decision-making from reactive to proactive, from ad hoc to strategic. In a fast-moving world, this simple framework can be your compass, ensuring every decision points toward your greater purpose.
Try it out on your next big decision. You’ll be surprised by how much clearer the path forward becomes.
