Strategic thinking is the ability to envision and achieve big-picture goals. Strategic thinkers examine all the factors of an opportunity, project or initiative and then develop plans based on those factors. This process also requires anticipating and solving potential problems or taking advantage of favorable factors.
To put this into context, let’s explore an example of strategic thinking at work.
Examples of Strategic Thinking in Project Management
Project management requires a specific set of skills, one of which is the ability to think strategically. Managing a project effectively requires a balance of vision, continual awareness of information, clear milestones, and defined roles and responsibilities for execution excellence.
The following are examples of strategic thinking in project management that illustrate how the skill of strategic thinking can improve outcomes.
1. Managing Tight Deadlines and Competing Priorities
A project manager faces delays due to competing demands and unforeseen emergencies. Instead of working reactively, they step back to:
- Identify the most critical project tasks that align with long-term goals.
- Analyze the root cause of recurring disruptions.
- Delegate or streamline less critical activities to focus on high-impact work.
This strategic approach improves time management, prevents future delays, and keeps the project on track.
2. Navigating Team Turnover During Critical Phases
Mid-project, a vital team member resigns, leaving a critical gap. Instead of rushing to replace them, the project manager evaluates:
Whether temporary adjustments, such as redistributing tasks or outsourcing, can keep the project on schedule.
Long-term solutions to improve team retention and reduce dependency on single individuals.
Upskilling team members to build “bench strength” for future projects.
The result is a balanced response that addresses immediate needs while strengthening the team’s overall capacity.
Recommended: Find strategic thinkers to add to your team by asking the right interview questions.
3. Addressing Declining Project Performance Metrics
A project is failing to meet key milestones due to a drop in engagement or output. Instead of rushing to implement superficial fixes, the project manager applies strategic thinking and assesses variables and factors:
- Are the stakeholders’ needs changing?
- Are team priorities misaligned with project goals?
- Are external factors, such as delays in receiving information or feedback from the client impacting key measures, milestones, and outcomes?
By conducting a thorough analysis, the project manager identifies a need for revised deliverables and enhanced communication, creating a more aligned project plan that meets stakeholder expectations.
4. Overcoming Cross-Team Bottlenecks
An important project is delayed because a supporting team isn’t delivering key resources. Rather than escalating the issue in an emotional or reactive way, the project manager applies strategic thinking to:
- Explore alternate methods or resources to bypass the bottleneck.
- Foster better collaboration with the dependent team by understanding their constraints.
- Propose changes to the project plan to reduce future interdependencies.
This forward-looking approach resolves current delays while preventing similar issues in future projects.
5. Planning for Future Risks and Contingencies
While launching a complex project, the project manager anticipates potential risks, such as market shifts, resource shortages, or stakeholder changes. They proactively:
- Develop contingency plans, including backup resources and alternative timelines.
- Prioritize tasks to ensure critical components are delivered early.
- Regularly evaluate and adapt plans based on changing conditions.
This forward-thinking mindset ensures that the project remains resilient, even when unexpected challenges arise.
Strategic thinking in project management serves as a vital tool for navigating complex challenges and driving successful outcomes. By identifying priorities, anticipating risks, fostering collaboration, and adapting to changing conditions, project managers can turn obstacles into opportunities for growth. The examples provided highlight how a strategic mindset not only addresses immediate concerns but also builds stronger teams, ensures long-term resilience, and aligns efforts with overarching goals. Whether it’s managing tight deadlines, mitigating risks, or overcoming resource bottlenecks, strategic thinking empowers project managers to deliver results that are both impactful and sustainable.
How Do You Use Strategic Thinking in the Workplace?
If you already have strategic thinking skills, you may wonder how to exhibit them in the workplace. Here are some examples of strategic thinking at work in action.
Align Projects with Organizational Goals
Ensure that every project aligns with the larger goals and mission of the organization. Effective projects do not exist within their own vacuum, they must be connected to the needs of the organization. Strategic thinking involves understanding how this project fits into the broader business context and creating a roadmap that delivers value to stakeholders while adhering to timelines and budgets.
Anticipate Risks and Develop Contingency Plans
Strategic project managers proactively identify potential risks and create contingency plans. They are aware of what is likely to get in the way of success and prepare for ways to stay on target even if the unfortunate scenarios play out. This forward-thinking approach minimizes the impact of unforeseen challenges and ensures that the project remains on track, even when obstacles arise.
Recommended: How to Instill and Inspire Strategic Thinking at Work
Allocate Resources Strategically
Effective resource management is a cornerstone of strategic thinking in project management. Assess your team’s skills, time, and budget to assign resources where they create the most value. Prioritize high-impact tasks, ensure the right people are in the right roles, and review past projects to identify lessons learned. By optimizing resources and planning ahead, you can meet objectives and deadlines, and minimize inefficiencies.
Improvement through Reflection
Self-reflection is essential for strategic thinking and growth. Regularly assess whether you’re aligned with the project’s vision and focused on the big picture. Encourage your team to evaluate their performance, identifying strengths and areas for improvement. These reflections enhance accountability, foster learning, and ensure continuous progress. By analyzing past projects and applying lessons learned, you can improve efficiency, collaboration, and outcomes for future endeavors.
Invest in Team Growth
While strategic thinkers invest in themselves, they also invest in their teams. You can encourage team members to think strategically, whether a contributor or leader. This effort could occur through feedback, collaboration, and mentorship.
As a strategic thinking leader, you must provide your team with new avenues for growth, such as taking courses or workshops or upgrading current tools. You should also mentor your team members and provide regular feedback.
If you are looking to develop strategic thinking in yourself or your team, learn about the five key elements of strategic thinking.
Develop Strategic Thinking with CMOE
Developing strategic thinking can be difficult without a chance to practice. This is one reason CMOE created the Applied Strategic Thinking workshop. Using our decades of experience in developing the skills of strategic leaders, we developed a workshop that balances strategic thinking theory and practice to yield optimal results.
Enroll in our Applied Strategic Thinking workshop or digital course today.
