Adresses the ways in which top executives use strategic planning to produce results in their companies. It is not just a theoretical description of strategy or planning, but is based on the experiences that over twenty companies have had in using the techniques of portfolio planning. The author shows how strategy is shaped by the CEO's agenda, financial constraints, administrative considerations, and the portfolio analysis. The presentation is well illustrated by detailed case studies of General Electric, Memorex, and the Dexter Corporation.