Strategy cascade: what it is and what it means

The strategy cascade is the process through which long-term strategic objectives are translated into performance areas and then into measurable operational indicators. It works in three descending levels: strategic objectives (3-5 years, ambitious), performance areas with process objectives (12 months), operational indicators with a weekly or monthly frequency. The principle is that operational indicators flow down from strategic objectives and never the other way around. The cascade breaks when the step from level 1 to level 2 is never made explicit in a dedicated working session.

Distinctive: operational indicators flow down from strategic objectives
Distinctive: never the other way around
Essential: three descending levels
Essential: strategic objectives
Essential: measurable operational indicators
Constant: performance areas
Constant: weekly or monthly frequency

Glossary

Strategy cascade

A process in three descending levels through which strategic objectives are translated into performance areas and then into operational indicators, never the other way around.