Strategic assumptions

Strategic assumptions are the assumptions that are held by decision-makers when building a strategic plan.

All strategic plans should be built upon a grounded, validated and accepted set of strategic assumptions.

Strategic assumptions surface and are usually identified when scenario planning is undertaken during a strategic planning process.

The strategic assumptions surfacing and testing method (SAST) is one rigorous method of identifying strategic assumptions.

Like other types of assumptions, strategic assumptions are the assumptions held by decision-makers about different types of factors and drivers of change that have influenced their thinking, decision-making or planning.