Good Strategy, Bad Strategy
by Richard P. Rumelt · first published 2011
80% recommend20% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Defines what strategy is and isn't, separating it from goals, mission statements and vague slogans. Starts by diagnosing the problem; suits founders, executives and engineers who want to craft real strategy.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
The author examines the concepts of good strategy (a succinct description of a situation or problem at hand, followed by directions for action in order to solve the problem or use the situation by using strengths, not exposing weaknesses and concentrating resources in order to successfully emerge at the other end), bad strategy (not "no strategy" or "strategy that does not work", but rather the general listing of desirable outcomes and objectives without focus, concentration or indication on how to achieve those or even analysis of the situation at hand, but padded with fluffy language and lof
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The best book bar none that I've read about strategy is "Good Strategy, Bad Strategy" by Richard Rumelt: http://goodbadstrategy.com/ I highly recommend it. It's clear, intelligent, properly defines what strategy is (which most other books fail to do) and isn't, and how to go about designing…
on “Ask HN: Dev promoted to more strategic role in startup. What literature?” ↗For anyone interested in learning more about strategy, I highly recommend Richard Rumelt’s book “Good strategy, bad strategy”. This link provides a good summary of the book: https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/strategy-and-cor... I often see the word “Strategy” thrown around, often referring to meaningless corporate…
on “Engineers should invest in decision-making skills early” ↗As a mostly-solo entrepreneur / consultant, I've had some success in shifting professional engagements toward the "strategic consulting" end of the spectrum. I credit author R. Rumelt ("Good Strategy, Bad Strategy"), and FB VP Product J. Zhao ("How to be Strategic") for excellent perspective and actionable advice, which distills down to: A strategy is a set of actions designed to achieve a particular objective.…
on “Many Strategies Fail Because They’re Not Strategies (2017)” ↗One of the best talks on the subject I've heard by Richard Rumelt author of "Good Strategy Bad Strategy" https://youtu.be/UZrTl16hZdk
on “OKRs masquerade as strategy” ↗I found the book “Good Strategy, Bad Strategy” was pretty close to what you are talking about. * Good definitions of what is or is not a strategy * How to identify whether you have an actual strategy or just some empty words or a repetition of…
on “Tools for Better Thinking” ↗Engineer turned engineering leader here. "Good Strategy / Bad Strategy" by Richard Rumelt - An awesome book on strategy, which explains very plainly how to construct a reasonable strategy, and see signs of bad strategy. It (among other things) dissects NVIDIA's rise in the…
on “Ask HN: Which books do you consider real gems in your field of work/study?” ↗I assume you're not interested in hearing the obvious ones (zero to one, lean startup, etc., etc.) so I'll recommend two. At the early stages when you're defining your strategy? "Good strategy/bad strategy" by Richard P. Rumelt. "Strategy" is thrown around a whole lot in business, often by somebody who is talking about a goal, as opposed to how to reach it. This book can get a little repetitive but the…
on “Ask HN: What books helped you in your entrepreneurship journey?” ↗…Competition - Jack Trout, Steve Rivkin Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make Competition Irrelevant - W. Chan Kim, Renee Mauborgne Understanding Michael Porter - Joan Magretta Good Strategy Bad Strategy: The Difference and Why It Matters - Richard Rumelt Hide a Dagger Behind a Smile: Use the 36 Ancient Chinese Strategies to Seize the Competitive Edge - Kaihan Krippendorf Outthink the Competition -…
on “Ask HN: How to enter a highly competitive market?” ↗Good Strategy / Bad Strategy
on “Ask HN: Which Strategy Book has influenced you most?” ↗Didn't care much for Purple Cow, but Art of the Start and Innovators Dilemma are solid. Just finished reading Good Strategy Bad Strategy by Richard Rumelt. Very good book.
on “Books Every Entrepreneur Should Read” ↗…Conspiracy - Ryan Holiday - The Courage To Be Disliked - Ichiro Kishimi - Elements of Fiction: Characters & Viewpoint - Orson Scott Card - The Elephant In The Brain - Robin Hanson & Kevin Simler - Good Strategy Bad Strategy - Richard Rumelt - Gridiron Genius - Michael Lombardi - The Longevity Diet - Valter Longo - Open - Andre Agassi - Warriors & Worriers - Joyce Benenson - Why We Sleep - Matthew Walker - World After…
on “Ask HN: Favorite nonfiction books of 2018?” ↗…Successful Groups by Daniel Coyle https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25870385 How to Turn Down a Billion Dollars: The Snapchat Story by Billy Gallagher https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34964879 Good Strategy/Bad Strategy: The difference and why it matters by Richard P. Rumelt https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36658033
on “Ask HN: Favorite nonfiction books of 2018?” ↗…inspiration for this. It makes sense particularly when considering systems with long live cycles. Less obvious for smaller designs that don’t se much change over time. B) Strategy is most clearly defined by Good Strategy Bad Strategy: The Difference and Why It Matters Book by Richard P. Rumelt Describes the kernel of strategy as 1) diagnose 2) guiding policy 3) coherent action C) diagnosing is difficult, but both wardley maps…
on “Software Architecture Guide” ↗With all my respect, the post looks like BS and leads to bad strategies. Good books on the topic: - Blue Ocean strategy: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23627395-blue-ocean-stra... - Good Strategy Bad Strategy: The Difference and Why It Matters: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11721966-good-strategy-b... I would say, that for good strategy you need: [1] Understand what is happening in the market, why…
on “How to Think Strategically” ↗Inspired: https://www.amazon.com/INSPIRED-Create-Tech-Products-Custome... Empowered: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LPKRD5L/ Good Strategy/Bad Strategy: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Strategy-Bad-Richard-Rumelt/dp/1...
on “Product shouldn’t be left to product managers” ↗