Laws of strategy
6 min readJan 23, 2023
In the field of strategy, there are a number of laws that are used to guide decision-making and help organizations achieve their goals. These laws can be applied in a variety of contexts, including business, military, and politics, and can help organizations to anticipate and respond to changes in the environment and achieve long-term success. Here are a few examples of the laws of strategy:
- The law of concentration: This law states that an organization should focus its resources on a single goal or objective in order to maximize its chances of success. By focusing on a single goal, an organization can avoid spreading itself too thin and increase the chances of achieving its objectives.
- The law of the vital few: This law states that a small number of factors are responsible for the majority of an organization’s success or failure. By identifying and focusing on these vital few factors, an organization can increase its chances of success.
- The law of unintended consequences: This law states that an organization’s actions can have unintended consequences, both positive and negative. By anticipating and preparing for these unintended consequences, an organization can minimize negative impacts and maximize positive ones.
- The law of diminishing returns: This law states that there is a point at which the additional benefits of a particular action start to decrease, and the costs of that action start to increase. By recognizing this point, an organization can avoid overinvesting in a particular strategy or course of action.
- The law of leverage: This law states that an organization should seek to leverage its strengths and resources in order to maximize its impact and achieve its goals. By leveraging its strengths and resources, an organization can increase its chances of success.
- The law of comparative advantage: This law states that an organization should focus on the activities and resources that it can use most effectively and efficiently, rather than trying to do everything itself. By focusing on its comparative advantage, an organization can increase its efficiency and effectiveness.
- The law of opportunity cost: This law states that every action an organization takes has an opportunity cost, or the cost of the next best alternative that was not chosen. By considering the opportunity cost of its actions, an organization can make more informed decisions and allocate its resources more effectively.
- The law of diminishing marginal returns: This law states that as an organization increases its investment in a particular activity or resource, the additional benefits of that investment will eventually start to decrease. By recognizing this point, an organization can avoid overinvesting in a particular strategy or course of action.
- The law of good enough: This law states that an organization should aim for a solution that is good enough to achieve its goals, rather than striving for perfection. By accepting that perfection is unattainable, an organization can focus on finding a solution that is good enough to achieve its goals.
- The law of diminishing marginal utility: This law states that as an organization consumes more of a particular resource, the additional benefit of that resource will eventually start to decrease. By recognizing this point, an organization can avoid overconsumption of a particular resource and allocate its resources more effectively.
- The law of first mover advantage: This law states that an organization that is the first to enter a particular market or industry can gain a competitive advantage over its rivals. By being the first to enter a market or industry, an organization can establish a foothold and build brand recognition.
- The law of incumbent advantage: This law states that an organization that is already established in a particular market or industry has a competitive advantage over new entrants. By being an incumbent, an organization can leverage its existing resources and relationships to maintain its position.
- The law of sunk costs: This law states that an organization should not base its decision-making on past investments or sunk costs, but rather on the potential future benefits of a particular action. By ignoring sunk costs, an organization can make more rational decisions and allocate its resources more effectively.
- The law of dynamic capabilities: This law states that an organization’s ability to adapt and respond to changes in its environment is a key factor in its long-term success. By developing dynamic capabilities, an organization can increase its chances of success in the face of change.
- The law of diminishing marginal productivity: This law states that as an organization increases the number of resources it uses to produce a particular good or service, the additional benefit of those resources will eventually start to decrease. By recognizing this point, an organization can avoid overinvesting in a particular production process and allocate its resources more effectively.
- The law of diversification: This law states that an organization should diversify its investments, products, and markets in order to mitigate risk and increase its chances of success. By diversifying its portfolio, an organization can reduce its exposure to any single risk and increase its chances of success.
- The law of incremental advantage: This law states that an organization should aim to build small advantages over time, rather than trying to achieve a large advantage all at once. By building small advantages over time, an organization can increase its chances of success in the long run.
- The law of diminishing returns to scale: This law states that as an organization increases the scale of its operations, the additional benefits of that scale will eventually start to decrease. By recognizing this point, an organization can avoid overinvesting in a particular scale of operation and allocate its resources more effectively.
- The law of competitive advantage: This law states that an organization should aim to create a competitive advantage over its rivals in order to succeed in the market. By creating a competitive advantage, an organization can differentiate itself from its competitors and increase its chances of success.
- The law of game theory: This law states that an organization should aim to maximize its chances of success in a competitive environment by considering the actions and strategies of its rivals. By understanding the strategies of its rivals, an organization can make more informed decisions and increase its chances of success.
- The law of contingency: This law states that an organization should have a plan in place to respond to a variety of potential outcomes, rather than relying on a single plan. By having a contingency plan, an organization can increase its chances of success in the face of unexpected events.
- The law of uncertainty: This law states that an organization should be prepared for uncertainty and be able to adapt to changing circumstances. By being prepared for uncertainty, an organization can increase its chances of success in the face of change.
- The law of proactive adaptation: This law states that an organization should proactively adapt to changes in its environment in order to increase its chances of success. By being proactive in its adaptation, an organization can take advantage of opportunities and mitigate risks.
- The law of strategic flexibility: This law states that an organization should be flexible in its strategy in order to respond to changing circumstances. By being flexible in its strategy, an organization can increase its chances of success.
- The law of strategic vision: This law states that an organization should have a clear and long-term vision in order to guide its decisions and actions. By having a strategic vision, an organization can increase its chances of success in the long run.
- The law of strategic leadership: This law states that effective leadership is essential for the success of an organization’s strategy. By having strong leadership, an organization can increase its chances of success.
- The law of strategic planning: This law states that an organization should have a clear and well-defined plan in order to achieve its goals. By having a strategic plan, an organization can increase its chances of success.
- The law of strategic execution: This law states that an organization’s ability to execute its plan is critical to its success. By having a strong execution plan, an organization can increase its chances of success.