strategy fundamentals

--- title: "Strategy fundamentals for case competitions" slug: "strategy-fundamentals" type: "guide" excerpt: "A practical strategy checklist: objective, options, tradeoffs, and execution risks." difficulty: "intro" readingTime: 7 topics: ["strategy", "options", "tradeoffs"] categories: ["guides"] publishedAt: "2025-12-08" updatedAt: "2025-12-08" ---

Strategy in a case competition is about making a clear choice and backing it with evidence. Avoid wish lists and focus on the few moves that matter.

Start with the objective

Define the metric that matters most (revenue growth, margin, customer retention). Every option should move that metric.

Build 2 to 3 real options

Options should be distinct, not variations of the same idea. Evaluate them on impact, feasibility, and risk.

Make tradeoffs explicit

State what you are not doing and why. Judges reward focus.

Show the execution path

Outline the first 90 days and the key risks. Strategy without execution is just a slogan.