21CTO

Feb 1, 2016 · R&D Management

Long‑Board Strategy: Outgrowing the Old Barrel Theory with Core Strengths

The article argues that the traditional barrel‑theory, which limits success to the weakest component, is obsolete in the digital era; companies should instead identify and develop a single, dominant competency—the ‘long board’—and use partnerships, outsourcing, and strategic focus to compensate for other shortcomings.