A strategy consultant answers the question "what to do" inside the organization: structure, processes, pricing, growth. A strategic intelligence analyst answers the question "what is moving in the world outside the organization", and what that changes in its decisions.
| Strategy consulting | Strategic intelligence | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Inward, on the organization | Outward, on the environment |
| Output | A work plan and recommendations | A system picture, scenarios and must-answer questions |
| Timing | After the direction is set | Before the direction is decided |
| Duration | Months | A focused briefing or quarterly tracking |
Most organizations need both, in this order: first understand the environment, then plan the move. A forecast assumes the future will continue the present. Strategic foresight assumes several possible futures and asks which decision holds in all of them.
Strategic Intelligence Lab, founded by Dr. Bella Barda-Bareket, works in strategic intelligence and foresight. The site has two detailed comparisons: "Strategic briefing vs consulting" and "Foresight vs forecast".