Glossary
S1 Method
The S1 Method is strategy1's six-stage method (Sense, Model, Simulate, Decide, Deploy, Learn), with a named person signing at three human gates.
Glossary · strategy1 term
Forward Deployed Strategist
A plain definition, why it matters, how strategy1 uses it, and answers to the questions people ask most.
Definition
What is a Forward Deployed Strategist?
A Forward Deployed Strategist is a strategy1 strategist who works in the client's pod and frames the decision and its success metric with the client at the Sense stage. They run the engines, work on-site with the client and work with AI agents every day, deciding whether what the agents produce is good enough.
Also called: FDS.
Explained in full on Forward Deployed Strategist role.
Context
Why it matters
AI output is only as good as the question it answers and the judgement applied to it. Putting a strategist next to the client, rather than behind layers of analysts, keeps the framing close to the decision and the checking close to the work.
In practice
How strategy1 uses it
Each engagement is run by a pod: one Strategy Partner and one or two Forward Deployed Strategists, supported by shared ontology and AI engineers, with Domain Fellows signing where liability exists. The Forward Deployed Strategist who framed the question is in the room when the options are argued.
FAQ
Forward Deployed Strategist: common questions
How is a Forward Deployed Strategist different from a consulting analyst?
A Forward Deployed Strategist works directly with the client and with AI agents, in a pod rather than a pyramid of analysts. They frame the problem, run the engines and judge the agents' output, with a Strategy Partner accountable for the decision memo.
What does a Forward Deployed Strategist do at the Sense stage?
At Sense, the first stage of the S1 Method, the Forward Deployed Strategist frames the decision and its success metric with the client, while AI agents read the client's documents and public market, competitor and regulatory data.
What background does a Forward Deployed Strategist have?
strategy1 looks for former consultants who code or prompt fluently. A Forward Deployed Strategist needs both strategy judgement and the ability to work with AI agents every day.
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