The map is not the territory

Your organization's (or department’s) strategic plan is a valuable roadmap for your mission.

But of course, the map is not the territory.

You'll know this, if you've ever tried navigating a new city. Whatever map you're using might be wonderful, but by its nature it cannot show you every potential obstacle, detour, shortcut, and alternative.

It's just a representation, and it doesn't keep up with the very latest changes in the terrain or in your own evolving goals and limitations.

Those will create new challenges, which you must navigate as you go.

Even the best map will have these limitations.

Still, given the choice, would you rather launch into your adventure with a well-designed (if imperfect) map, or with no map at all?

All the best,
A.