Which term describes a plan of action from an intended strategy?

• A. Emergent strategy
• B. Deliberate strategy
• C. Realized strategy
• D. VRIO analysis

Answer: (B)

Deliberate strategy is the plan of action that comes directly from an intended strategy. It embodies the explicit choices about where to compete, what resources to mobilize, and how to execute the plan. This is the intentional roadmap that managers set out at the outset.

Emergent strategy, in contrast, arises from patterns and opportunities that show up during execution, not from the initial plan. Realized strategy is what actually unfolds in practice, which may combine deliberate actions with emergent elements. VRIO analysis is a framework for evaluating a firm’s resources and capabilities to see if they provide competitive advantage, not a plan of action.