The Strategic Management of Execution

Abstract

“Tell me David, is it better to have a great strategy poorly executed, or a so-so strategy really well executed?” The age-old question suggests there is a fundamental tradeoff between strategy and execution. The tone in which it is asked typically flags that the questioner already knows the answer - the superiority of execution over strategy. But is this really true? Does, to borrow a phrase, execution eat strategy for lunch?