Key details
Mode of delivery: Online Course
Course code: SM13AO
Duration: 3 days
Fee: £2,220.00 + VAT
CPD Hours: 18
Course Overview
This course provides a structured approach to strategic planning and decision-making. Participants will learn how to analyze internal capabilities, constraints, and environmental risks, prioritize key issues, and apply systems thinking and scenario planning to address complex problems. The programme also covers breaking down high-level strategies into actionable priorities, sequencing decisions and resources effectively, and integrating ESG and sustainability considerations to ensure long-term value creation.
Agenda
Day – 1 Strategic Environment and Organisational Context Analysis
- Map internal capabilities, constraints, and cultural factors affecting strategy.
- Analyse external risks, and long-term trends.
- Prioritise strategic issues.
Day – 2 Mental Models and Systems Thinking Application
- Apply mental models and systems thinking to frame complex problems.
- Identify strategic assumptions, blind spots, and interdependencies.
- Use scenario logic and structured challenge to stress-test early direction.
Day – 3 Strategic Priorities and Plan Definition Development
- Break down strategic direction into actionable priorities and initiatives.
- Sequence decisions and resource flows to manage interdependencies.
- Integrate ESG and sustainability into long-term value creation.
Course Review
- Summary and recap of key learning objectives
- Action Planning
Target Audience
This course is suitable for a wide range of leaders and managers but will be of real value to:
- Senior Executives and CEOs
- Strategic Planners and Analysts
- Department Heads and Managers
- Project Managers and Team Leaders
- Change Management Professionals
- Organisational Development Specialists
- Human Resources Leaders
- Business Consultants and Advisors
- Risk Management Professionals
- Innovation and Sustainability Officers
- Operational Excellence Managers
- Corporate Trainers and Coaches
- Policy Makers and Government Officials
- Academics and Researchers in Business Strategy
- Entrepreneurs and Start-up Founders
- Non-profit Executives and Leaders
- Finance and Accounting Professionals
- Supply Chain and Logistics Managers
- IT and Technology Leaders
- Marketing and Communications Managers
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to implement a successful strategy that enables you to:
- Assess internal organisational dynamics—including capabilities, constraints, and culture—to inform and shape viable strategic options.
- Identify and interpret external risks and emerging trends to anticipate future challenges and opportunities for strategic positioning.
- Evaluate and prioritize strategic issues based on their impact, urgency, and alignment with long-term objectives.
- Use systems thinking and mental models to understand complexity, reveal interdependencies, and avoid linear problem-solving traps.
- Uncover and critically challenge hidden assumptions and blind spots, and map interdependencies that influence strategic outcomes.
- Apply scenario planning and structured challenge techniques to test the robustness of strategic direction under uncertainty.
- Translate high-level strategic goals into clear, actionable initiatives with defined priorities and success criteria.
- Plan and sequence key decisions and resource allocations to effectively manage interdependencies across initiatives.
- Embed ESG and sustainability considerations into strategic planning to drive long-term, responsible value creation.
