The Difference Between Strategy, Process, Task, and System

When it comes to strategies, processes, tasks, and systems, it’s easy to get confused. The definitions and contexts of these terms tend to blend together. But never fear, Processology is here (Wow, that has such a ring to it). In this post, we’ll discuss what sets these terms apart by using a scenario to bring it into perspective.

Okay, let's say our mission is to become the number one tech sales company in North Texas. Now that we have a mission, let's jump into it.

Our Strategy - The WHAT

Strategies are the "WHAT" in your mission. It is the definition of what we will do to accomplish your goal. In this scenario, our strategy will be to hire 20 new salespeople to work toward accomplishing our mission of being the number one tech company in North Texas.

Strategy:

• Hire 20 new salesmen

Our Process - The HOW

Our process is the "HOW" we will do it, and how precisely the defined strategy will be supported. To accomplish our strategy, our process will involve contacting a local talent acquisition company to find the best salespeople in our area. Once we’ve contracted a company to handle recruitment, we will begin interviewing qualified talent and hire 20 salespeople. Once we have hired our new salesmen, we will offer training to educate them on our services and company policies.

Process:

• Contract talent acquisition company
• Conduct Interviews
• Train new hires

Processes define precisely how we are going to support the defined strategy.

Our Task - The STEPS

Task are everywhere and are a part of everyday life! They are the "STEPS" that need to be executed for the process to operate as designed, and how we move the process forward.

In our scenario, our task would be as follows:

• Research and pick a talent acquisition company
• Create a list of qualifications required to pick top salesmen
• Hire 20 Salesmen
• Onboard and train all 20 new hires

Our System - The HELP

Systems are the software we use to accomplish all of the above. For example, we may have needed to use software to manage and compare applications, software to accept applications, systems to train hires, etc. Systems can be as simple as a spreadsheet or as complex as a human resource recruitment system.

A professional rule of thumb is to keep your strategies, processes, task, and systems as simple as possible. A common mistake is over thinking things and making it more complicated than it needs to be.

Let’s recap the strategy, tasks, process, and systems to make sure it’s easy to digest:

• Goal- Become the number one tech sales company in North Texas
• Strategy - Hire 20 new salesmen
• Process - Contract talent acquisition company, conduct Interviews and train new hires
• Tasks - Research and pick a talent acquisition company, create a list of qualifications required to pick top salesmen, hire 20 Salesmen, onboard and train all 20 new hires
• Systems  - spreadsheets and human resource recruitment system

Use this as a guide to tailoring your own process. Hopefully, this scenario helped clear up how you should be using these terms to help optimize your organization. For more guidance in developing an effective process for your business, check out these fun reads.