Strategic Thinking and Planning

Why Attend

An organization without a strategy is like a ship without a rudder. How can organizations continue to provide exceptional value to stakeholders and customers if they are not clear on where they are heading and how they will get there? The answer is they can't. This is where the role of strategy becomes essential. Strategy is about setting ambitious goals, understanding the surrounding current and future environment and providing a sense of direction for the organization.

In this course, we will cover the 7 steps of the strategy management process, starting with the 'thinking' components of strategy, moving into the 'planning' components and ending with 'execution'. At the end of the course, participants will be able to implement or improve the strategic process at their organizations to reach their vision and achieve their mission.

Overview

Course Outline

Schedule & Fees

Course Methodology

The course enables participants to practice the development of each of the strategy management steps. They will act as organizational managers in developing each strategic component for an organization of their choosing. The most important strategy tools and frameworks will be discussed and put into practical use during the course.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

Apply strategic thinking to analyze their current environment and determine their organizational ambition
Employ the strategic management process to best achieve the desired ambition
Assess and choose strategies that create a sustainable competitive advantage for the organization
Determine strategic objectives, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and 'SMART' targets for the organization
Convert strategic plans to operating plans through creating strategic initiatives and sequencing activities
Participate in the performance management cycle to ensure proper execution of chosen strategies

Target Audience

All managers and senior professionals who are involved in influencing, formulating or supporting the long term planning and strategy of their department or organization, as well as those who are responsible for linking, measuring and improving the performance of the organization, including strategy or performance management professionals, balanced scorecard managers, business unit and department managers and business analysts.

Target Competencies

Strategic thinking
Strategic planning
Operational planning
Performance management
Results orientation
Data analysis
Market analysis
Critical thinking