Strategy Execution Module 14: Managing Strategic Risk

This module reading provides an overview of the business conduct boundaries, strategic boundaries, and internal control systems used to manage risk. Boundary systems—linked to clear, enforceable sanctions—are essential whenever demanding performance goals are set and rewards are linked to performance outcomes. A framework is introduced for designing internal control systems to safeguard information and assets. These internal controls provide the checks and balances to ensure that errors of omission and commission cannot slip undetected into the transaction processing stream. The behavioral and motivational assumptions that underlie these systems is analyzed. Finally, the module described how managers can impose strategic boundaries to limit where employees look for opportunities and commit scarce resources. While this module is designed to be used alone, it is part of the Strategy Execution series. Taken together, the series forms a complete course that teaches the latest techniques for using performance measurement and control systems to implement strategy. Modules 1 - 4 set out the foundations for strategy implementation. Modules 5 - 10 teach quantitative tools for performance measurement and control. Modules 11 - 15 illustrate the use of these techniques by managers to achieve profit goals and strategies.