How work supports strategic priorities

How work supports strategic priorities

In today’s discussion, I will explore the concept of work and its connection to Enterprise Strategy and Planning (ESP) and outline practical steps to ensure alignment. In the initial post of this series, I outlined Atlassian’s perspective on ESP and its six fundamental components. Aligning daily work with strategic priorities is essential for achieving long-term organizational goals. Every employee plays a vital role in ensuring the company moves cohesively in the right direction.

Atlassian defines Enterprise Strategy and Planning (ESP) as the process of setting and operationalizing strategy through a lifecycle of Strategy, Planning, Execution, and Evaluation, focusing on six core facets:

91% of executives say their teams are being asked to deliver much faster than they were 5 years.

– State of Teams 2025*

Key Beliefs

Agile, SAFe, Waterfall, Six Sigma, PRINCE2—each has funded a whole industry of paid certifications and transformations. But many tend to forget or ignore that these frameworks and models can be combined or adapted to fit the specific needs of an organization or project. They are just a few of the well-known frameworks and models that organizations use to structure their ways of working, improve efficiency, and enhance collaboration.

And in today’s fast-paced and competitive business environment, aligning daily work activities with strategic priorities, regardless of framework or model, is crucial for organizations aiming to achieve their long-term goals. Employees at every level play a vital role in supporting these priorities, ensuring that the organization moves cohesively in the desired direction.


Align daily efforts to long-term goals, to support strategic priorities

  1. Clarity and Focus
    The first step in aligning work with strategic priorities is ensuring clarity and focus. Organizations must clearly communicate their strategic goals so that every employee understands the bigger picture. This involves breaking down high-level objectives into actionable tasks and projects. When employees understand how their work contributes to broader goals, they can prioritize tasks that have the most significant impact, fostering a sense of purpose and direction.
  2. Empowering Employees
    Empowerment is key to enabling employees to effectively support strategic priorities. By providing the necessary resources, training, and authority, organizations empower their workforce to make decisions that align with strategic goals. When employees feel trusted and capable, they are more likely to take initiative and innovate, driving the organization forward.
  3. Enhancing Collaboration
    Strategic priorities often require cross-functional collaboration. By fostering a collaborative culture, organizations can break down silos and ensure that knowledge and expertise are shared across departments. This collaboration leads to more comprehensive solutions and a unified approach to achieving strategic objectives. Tools and technologies that facilitate communication and teamwork can significantly enhance this collaborative effort.
  4. Measuring and Tracking Progress
    To ensure that work supports strategic priorities, organizations must establish metrics and KPIs that align with their goals. Regularly measuring and tracking progress allows organizations to assess whether they are on the right path and make necessary adjustments. This continuous feedback loop helps maintain momentum toward strategic objectives and ensures that efforts are effectively contributing to success.
  5. Encouraging Innovation and Adaptability
    The business landscape is constantly evolving, and strategic priorities may shift in response to new opportunities or challenges. Encouraging a culture of innovation and adaptability ensures that employees are open to change and ready to embrace new strategies. By staying agile, organizations can pivot quickly and align their work with updated priorities, maintaining relevance and competitiveness.
  6. Recognizing and Rewarding Contributions
    Recognizing and rewarding employees who contribute to strategic priorities is vital for sustaining motivation and engagement. When employees see that their efforts are valued and contribute to organizational success, they are more likely to remain committed and aligned with strategic goals. Recognition can take many forms, from formal awards to simple acknowledgments of a job well done.

What’s next for you

Next Steps
  • Define and communicate strategic priorities
  • Break down strategic priorities into actionable tasks
  • Align individual goals with strategic priorities
  • Empower and equip employees
  • Foster a collaborative culture
  • Measure and track progress
  • Adapt and innovate
  • Recognize and reward contributions

Define and Communicate Strategic Priorities

2. Break Down Strategic Priorities into Something Actionable

3. Align Individual Goals with Strategic Priorities

4. Empower and Equip Employees

5. Foster a Collaborative Culture

6. Measure and Track Progress

7. Adapt and Innovate

8. Recognize and Reward Contributions

Key Metrics to Measure Work


Lagging Indicators

Leading indicators


Aligning work with strategic priorities is not just about setting goals; it’s about creating an environment where every employee understands their role in achieving those goals. By fostering clarity, empowerment, collaboration, and adaptability, organizations can ensure that their daily efforts contribute meaningfully to their long-term vision. As businesses continue to navigate complex and changing environments, aligning work with strategic priorities will remain a cornerstone of sustainable success.


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