strategic imperative

USAGE SUMMARY

"strategic imperative" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a goal or idea that is of critical importance for achieving an organization's mission or objectives. For example, "Maximizing customer service is a strategic imperative for our company."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It should be a strategic imperative.

The Guardian

It is a moral and strategic imperative.

The New York Times

The Republicans have been reassuring on that strategic imperative.

The New York Times

Yitzhak Rabin believed it was a strategic imperative.

The New York Times

That could provide a strategic imperative for H.P.'s rivals to jump in.

The New York Times

He fits Mr. Romney's strategic imperative for governing, after serving in both Bush administrations.

The New York Times

The gloomy economic rhetoric of Mr. Obama's opening weeks in office tracks that strategic imperative.

The New York Times

Wellness programs have often been viewed as a nice extra, not a strategic imperative.

Harvard Business Review

If horizontal integration is a sufficiently urgent strategic imperative, the EIG should report to the CEO.

Harvard Business Review

Business model innovation is becoming the new strategic imperative for all organization leaders.

Harvard Business Review

Employee wellness programs have often been viewed as a nice extra, not a strategic imperative.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strategic imperative" to emphasize the critical nature of a goal, ensuring stakeholders understand its importance to the organization's success. For example, "Investing in employee training is a strategic imperative for improving overall productivity."

Common error

Avoid using "strategic imperative" for minor tasks or short-term goals. The phrase denotes a long-term, critical objective that significantly impacts organizational success, not everyday operations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strategic imperative" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an appositive. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It identifies and emphasizes something as being of utmost importance for achieving a specific aim, as shown in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strategic imperative" is a noun phrase denoting a critically important goal or action essential for organizational success. It is grammatically correct and commonly used in formal settings, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its purpose is to emphasize urgency and necessity across contexts like business, academia, and news media. To use this phrase effectively, ensure it aligns with long-term, high-impact objectives, while avoiding overuse for trivial tasks. Alternatives such as "critical necessity" or "essential requirement" can provide nuanced variations. Its widespread usage across authoritative sources like The New York Times and Harvard Business Review validates its professional and formal register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Critical necessity

Emphasizes the essential and indispensable nature of something.

Essential requirement

Highlights the indispensable nature of a requirement.

Fundamental need

Focuses on a basic and necessary requirement.

Key priority

Highlights the importance of an item relative to others.

Vital objective

Focuses on the crucial nature of a specific goal.

Core mission

Emphasizes the central and indispensable role of something.

Overriding concern

Highlights the high importance of a matter.

Urgent goal

Emphasizes the need for immediate action.

Primary focus

Highlights the main area of attention or activity.

Chief aim

Highlights the ultimate and most important purpose.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "strategic imperative" in a sentence?

Use "strategic imperative" to emphasize the critical importance of a goal or initiative to an organization's long-term success. For example: "Customer retention is a "strategic imperative" for sustainable growth".

What phrases can I use instead of "strategic imperative"?

Alternatives include "critical necessity", "essential requirement", or "key priority", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "strategic imperative" appropriate for informal communication?

While grammatically correct, "strategic imperative" is more suitable for formal or professional contexts. In informal settings, simpler terms like "very important" or "essential" may be more appropriate.

What distinguishes a "strategic imperative" from a regular goal?

A "strategic imperative" is a goal so critical that its achievement is essential for the organization's survival and long-term success. It's not just a target, but a fundamental need. Regular goals, while important, may not have the same level of existential impact.