Application: Identifying Strategic Issues
STRATEGIC ISSUES
1
“Application: Identifying Strategic Issues”
William D. Towah
Walden University
STRATEGIC ISSUES
2
“Application: Identifying Strategic Issues”
Abstract
Identifying strategic issue is a core element for developing an effective strategic plan for an organization. It creates the platform for answering questions that may relate to challenges and the resulting issues that may develop from the operations of the organization. To this end, this assignment considered the various approaches to strategic issues identification; however, greater emphasis is made of the alignment approach, which for expediency, provides suitable background for application to my final project organization, which is the Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Two strategic issues that could potentially impact the operating mandate of the FAO were teased out and briefly analyzed to conclude this assignment.
Brief Overview of FAO
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) was established on October
16, 1945. It leads global efforts in improvement of nutrition, increase agricultural productivity, raise the standard of living of rural populations and contribute to global economic growth. With this goal, the FAO has been successful in providing support to member countries in drafting legislations, national strategies and policies relating to food security and forestry in line with internationally accepted best practices, and have significantly helped developing countries improved on modernizing agriculture, fisheries and forestry practices. As an intergovernmental organization, the FAO has 194 member states, two associate members and one member organization, the European Union. Moreover, FAO’s operation is people focused as the organization is regularly publishing several dozens of newsletters, magazines, reports and books, host dozens of electronic fora, and has vibrant and user friendly internet
1
“Application: Identifying Strategic Issues”
William D. Towah
Walden University
STRATEGIC ISSUES
2
“Application: Identifying Strategic Issues”
Abstract
Identifying strategic issue is a core element for developing an effective strategic plan for an organization. It creates the platform for answering questions that may relate to challenges and the resulting issues that may develop from the operations of the organization. To this end, this assignment considered the various approaches to strategic issues identification; however, greater emphasis is made of the alignment approach, which for expediency, provides suitable background for application to my final project organization, which is the Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Two strategic issues that could potentially impact the operating mandate of the FAO were teased out and briefly analyzed to conclude this assignment.
Brief Overview of FAO
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) was established on October
16, 1945. It leads global efforts in improvement of nutrition, increase agricultural productivity, raise the standard of living of rural populations and contribute to global economic growth. With this goal, the FAO has been successful in providing support to member countries in drafting legislations, national strategies and policies relating to food security and forestry in line with internationally accepted best practices, and have significantly helped developing countries improved on modernizing agriculture, fisheries and forestry practices. As an intergovernmental organization, the FAO has 194 member states, two associate members and one member organization, the European Union. Moreover, FAO’s operation is people focused as the organization is regularly publishing several dozens of newsletters, magazines, reports and books, host dozens of electronic fora, and has vibrant and user friendly internet