Strategy development is not only about a document or processes — it is about people. A correctly assembled team plays a key role in the success of a strategic project. If the team is put together incorrectly, even the most ambitious plans can remain on paper. Let us look at who should be part of the strategy team, what qualities matter most in its members, and how to avoid common mistakes when forming it.
Who should be on the strategy team?
The optimal team composition depends on the scale of the business, but several key roles always need to be covered:
- Senior managers. They set the overall tone of the work, shape the business vision, and bear responsibility for implementing the strategy.
- Middle management. These are the people who know the current state of the company best and can propose practical solutions. The team should include key managers on whom the success of implementation depends.
- Experts and analysts. Not mandatory, but strongly recommended — especially when the strategy involves significant change. They bring knowledge of the market, trends, and competitive landscape.
- Employees who will implement the strategy. Key specialists and internal opinion leaders. Without their involvement, the strategy may never move beyond the page.
The ideal team size is between 3 and 15 people. This is enough to include all key participants while avoiding unnecessary complexity.
What qualities should team members have?
An effective strategy team includes people with different competencies and roles:
- Creative employees. They are able to look at familiar tasks from a new angle, propose unconventional solutions, and formulate bold hypotheses.
- Analysts. Their task is to test ideas for feasibility, find evidence for hypotheses, and ensure the connection between creative ideas and the company’s real capabilities.
- Employees with broad exposure. These are people who follow industry trends, understand market dynamics, and can draw on the best practices of competitors.
Why the combination of creativity, analytics, and broad exposure matters?
Each member of the strategy team plays an important role. Creative employees generate ideas, colleagues with broad exposure complement them with an understanding of market realities, and analysts help create a balanced and workable plan.
For example, during strategy development, the team needs to envision how the company will develop over three, five, or seven years. Without a creative approach, such tasks become routine. But to avoid getting lost in wishful thinking, it is important to involve analysts who can assess the feasibility of ideas. In turn, members with broad exposure help identify what is already working in the market and how to adapt the best solutions to the company’s needs.
The problems with a narrow team composition
One of the most common mistakes is limiting the team to owners or senior managers only. In practice, this frequently leads to failure.
Example:
Three company owners decided to develop the strategy on their own. They were actively involved in the process, but implementation turned out to be impossible. One of them left for abroad, while the others became absorbed in current tasks. The team that could have taken ownership of the strategic initiatives was never formed. The result: the strategy was never implemented.
How to build an effective strategy team?
- Include people with different roles and competencies. Diversity of perspectives ensures thorough analysis and the flow of strategic ideas throughout the company.
- Involve those who will implement the strategy. This reduces the risk of the plan remaining only on paper.
- Invest in broadening the team’s exposure. Organise training, meetings with experts, and trend analysis so that participants can see beyond their current tasks.
Building a strategy team is the foundation of successful strategy development and implementation. Members need to be ready not only to think ambitiously and analyse carefully, but to take responsibility for the company’s future. Choose your team thoughtfully — and your strategy will become a powerful tool for achieving the goals you have set.
You might also be interested in
Case study: Title Building a growth strategy for Alsi Group
When a group of companies reaches the point where further growth requires more than a strong product and the founder's energy — it requires clear strategic focus and the ability to scale systematically.
Read more All cases
Review of the strategy development project for ITG Solutions, a Kazakhstan-based integrator
When I came to Alexander, we had one simple but at the same time ambitious request — to understand where to go next, when the goal is not just to survive, but to change.
Read more All testimonials
