Purpose:

The step of identifying strategic issues is aimed at focusing organizational attention on what is truly important for the survival, prosperity, and effectiveness of the organization.
 

Approaches:

There are four different approaches to the identification of strategic issues:

1. direct approach: uses the planning process.

2. indirect approach: involves brainstorming.

3. goals approach: starts with goals.

4. vision of success approach: starts with vision of success.
 
 

John M. Bryson, Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations:  A Guide to Strengthening and Sustaining Organizational Achievement, rev. ed. (San Francisco:  Jossey-Bass, 1995), 21-44.