Good Strategy Bad Strategy

Why It's On My Shelf

This book cuts through strategy theater and exposes what real strategy actually is. Rumelt's Strategy Kernel - diagnosis, guiding policy, and coherent action - gives CIOs a simple test for whether a roadmap is meaningful or just aspirational language. The core lesson is that strategy is not a list of goals but a focused response to a critical challenge. I use this book when priorities conflict, portfolios become bloated, or leaders ask for transformation without naming the constraint. It helps CIOs sharpen board-level narratives and translate strategy into decisions teams can execute.