A statement of a strategic issue should contain three elements. First, the issue should be described succinctly, preferably in a single paragraph. The issue itself should be framed as a question the organization can do something about. If the organization cannot do anything about it, it is not an issue-at least for the organization. An organization’s attention is limited enough without wasting it on issues it cannot resolve.
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Second, the factors that make the issue a fundamental policy question should be listed. In particular, what is it about mandates, mission, values or internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats that make this a strategic issue? Listing these factors will become useful in the next step, strategy development.