This article describes an updateable picture of manufacturing strategy cont
ent, called a "strategy chart". It is based on established manufacturing an
d business strategy theory and is designed for use by managers in a wider s
trategy development process. Three cases are used to examine and improve me
thods for constructing a strategy chart; to explore the biases inherent in
this representation of strategy; and to assess its utility. Preliminary con
clusions are that charts present manufacturing strategy content more holist
ically than normally achieved and can make "strategy" a more understandable
and communicable concept for manufacturing managers and workforce. The app
roach also provides useful insight into the development of a firm's manufac
turing strategy over time, providing the potential for managers to examine
their strategy process and to learn from the past.