The Question Behind the Question

It's been a while since I've shared a blog update. Over the past several months, I've spent more time focused on client work than writing about it. Much of that work has involved strategic planning, policy development, coalition building, communications, and implementation support. 

Across projects, one theme continues to surface: the challenge presented is not always the challenge that needs to be solved. 

A large part of strategy work is helping organizations identify the question behind the question. 

For example: 

"We need a strategic plan." 

Do we have clear priorities? Is there agreement on where the organization is headed? Do we have the governance structure, staff capacity, and accountability systems needed to carry the plan forward?

"We need a communications strategy." 

Who are we trying to reach? Do we have an engaged audience? Are we using the right tools and channels? Is the challenge communication, or is it alignment around the message itself? 

"We need a policy agenda." 

What are the top priorities? Are they relevant to current policy issues? Do they reflect the needs of the people we serve? Are we thinking about local, state, and federal opportunities? What can realistically be advanced in the short term, and what requires a longer-term strategy? 

"We need more community engagement." 

What does engagement mean in this context? Are we trying to build relationships, educate, gather feedback, recruit advocates, or mobilize action? How does engagement connect to broader goals around civic participation, leadership development, or community power? 

"We need a new program." 

Does a similar program already exist? What gap are we trying to fill? Do we have the capacity to sustain it? What outcome are we hoping to achieve? 

In many cases, the original request is still part of the solution. The difference is that strategy creates space to step back and better understand the challenge before moving into implementation. 

The most effective projects are not built around a deliverable. They are built around a clearly defined problem, a realistic path forward, and a shared understanding of what success looks like. 

Through Chase Gen Strategy Consultants, this is how strategy is developed: grounded in real conditions and built to be carried out in practice.