While the schools each have their strengths, none is perfect – you’ll have to mix and match them.
It’s a difficult task to choose from ten different schools, and even more difficult to stick to only one – so maybe it’s better to stay flexible!Interestingly enough, there are some threads that run through all of these strategic management schools. For example, all the schools deal with control and change.The schools differentiate themselves in their overall approach to formulating strategies, but there is really no need to dedicate yourself to a single school. Instead, it would be best to use each school when it is most relevant. In times of stability, for example, it might be best for you to employ the learning school, while the design school could be more appropriate in times of uncertainty.Indeed, the most rational approach to selecting a strategy is to think in terms of your past, present and future circumstances, rather than stick to generalities and theories. You’re free to start with one school of strategy and then switch over to other ones as circumstances require, or use other schools as a framework to help brainstorm new strategies.In other words, all the schools are actually part of a single process: strategy formation.Strategy formation encompasses all ten schools as well as the ones that have yet to be developed. The key is to get beyond the confines of each school and appreciate the wealth of ideas about strategy formation.In fact, the entirety of strategy formation is an enormous field, far too large to comprehend. But understanding the pros and cons of all ten schools will help you make a start!