Course Overview
The SPA” course is designed to provide professionals and students with a comprehensive understanding of strategic planning and its critical role in organizational success. Over 5 weeks, participants will engage in lectures, workshops, case studies, and practical assignments that will equip them with the tools and techniques necessary to develop and execute effective strategic plans.
This training course will highlight the following:
- Learning how to apply leading-edge thinking in strategic analysis and planning
- Evaluating the choices faced by an organisation in planning for the future
- Preparing a strategic plan that serves as a road map for action
- Understanding best practice in implementing strategic programmes and projects
- Designing an effective linkage between strategic and operational management
At the end of this training course, you will learn to:
- Leverage the value of strategy and strategic planning
- Design a strategic planning process for your organisation
- Analyse options and make robust choices in setting goals and objectives
- Take full advantage of the opportunities of globalisation
- Lead effective strategic change within your part of your organisation
SPA is based on a carefully planned schedule of highly focused tutor input, using a balanced set of state-of-the-art learning mechanisms. The emphasis will be on studying real organisations making major strategic decisions.
Above all, the principles and approaches to strategic analysis, planning, and management will be illustrated by reference to real-life situations in which the course leader has been personally involved.
We will use the following training methods:
Decision analysis in different strategic and competitive conditions
The course leader, including case examples
Group work on case studies: analysis, interaction and discussion
Presentations by subject Presentations experts on aspects of strategy, strategic planning and organisational change
Focused problem-solving exercises, including “outside the box” thinking
By sending delegates to this training course, the organisation will gain the following benefits:
More effective programme and project implementation by managers
Better decision-making and time/resource allocation – leading to improved organisational performance
Introduction of strategic thinking into all levels of the organisation
Top management having more confidence in the decisions of its staff
An improved approach to planning at strategic and operational levels
Sharply focused views on the extent and direction of change required for success
Personal Impact
By attending this training course, delegates will acquire the following benefits, skills and competencies:
- Improved career flexibility and prospects
- Accelerated thinking speed and problem resolution
- Detailed understanding of the strategic impact of different specializations
- Improved leadership and teamwork capabilities
- Innovative approaches in ensuring the most effective impact of individual specialisms
- Understanding and applying best practice in strategic planning
Who Should Attend?
This training course is suitable to a wide range of professionals but will greatly benefit:
Business Leaders and Executives:
- CEOs, COOs, and other C-suite executives are responsible for setting and executing organizational strategy.
- Senior managers and directors who oversee strategic planning and implementation within their departments.
Middle Management:
- Department heads, team leaders, and project managers who play a critical role in aligning team activities with organizational strategies.
- Managers looking to enhance their strategic thinking and leadership capabilities.
Aspiring Leaders and Professionals:
- High-potential employees who are preparing for leadership roles and want to develop their strategic planning skills.
- Individuals in early to mid-career stages seeking to move into strategic roles within their organizations.
Strategy and Planning Professionals:
- Strategic planners, business analysts, and consultants who specialize in strategic development and execution.
- Professionals responsible for facilitating strategic planning processes and guiding organizations through strategy execution.
Entrepreneurs and Business Owners:
- Founders and owners of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who need to develop and implement effective strategic plans to grow their businesses.
- Entrepreneurs looking to enhance their strategic planning capabilities to navigate competitive markets and achieve business objectives.
Nonprofit and Public Sector Leaders:
- Executives and managers in nonprofit organizations and public sector entities who are responsible for strategic planning and mission fulfillment.
- Leaders who need to align their strategic goals with their organizational missions and public service mandates.
Academics and Students:
- Professors and researchers specializing in business, management, and organizational studies who want to incorporate practical strategic planning insights into their teaching and research.
- Graduate and MBA students who are preparing for careers in management and want to gain practical skills in strategic planning.
Human Resources Professionals:
- HR managers and professionals involved in strategic HR planning, talent management, and aligning HR practices with organizational strategy.
- HR leaders looking to enhance their strategic contribution to the organization.
Consultants and Advisors:
- Business consultants and advisors who provide strategic planning services to clients and need to stay updated with the latest methodologies and best practices.
- Independent consultants seeking to expand their knowledge and skills in strategic planning.
Benefits of Attending:
- Enhanced Strategic Thinking: Gain a deep understanding of strategic planning concepts and how to apply them effectively.
- Practical Skills: Develop practical skills through workshops, case studies, and assignments that can be directly applied to your organization.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers, industry experts, and professionals from various sectors, fostering valuable relationships and collaborations.
- Career Advancement: Enhance your strategic planning capabilities, making you a more valuable asset to your organization and advancing your career prospects.
- Comprehensive Knowledge: Learn from experienced instructors and access a wealth of resources, tools, and templates to support your strategic planning efforts.
Course Outline
- Module 1: Introduction to Strategic Planning
- Lecture: Overview of Strategic Planning
- Definition and Importance
- History and Evolution
- Workshop: Setting the Vision and Mission
- Reading: Selected chapters from “Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations” by John M. Bryson
- Module 2: Environmental Scanning and Analysis
- Lecture: Tools for Environmental Scanning
- PESTEL Analysis
- SWOT Analysis
- Workshop: Conducting a SWOT Analysis
- Reading: Article on “Environmental Scanning: Tracking Competitor Actions and Trends”
- Module 3: Setting Strategic Goals and Objectives
- Lecture: Developing Strategic Goals
- SMART Criteria
- Workshop: Formulating Objectives
- Reading: Case Study on Effective Goal Setting in Corporations
- Module 4: Strategy Formulation
- Lecture: Levels of Strategy
- Corporate, Business, and Functional Strategies
- Workshop: Group Exercise on Formulating Strategies
- Reading: “Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors” by Michael E. Porter
- Module 5: Strategy Implementation
- Lecture: The Process of Strategy Implementation
- Aligning Resources
- Managing Change
- Workshop: Developing an Implementation Plan
- Reading: Article on “Best Practices in Strategy Implementation”
- Module 6: Performance Measurement and Control
- Lecture: Monitoring and Evaluating Strategy
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Balanced Scorecard
- Workshop: Creating a Performance Measurement System
- Reading: “The Balanced Scorecard: Translating Strategy into Action” by Robert S. Kaplan and David P. Norton
- Module 7: Risk Management in Strategic Planning
- Lecture: Identifying and Managing Risks
- Types of Risks
- Risk Assessment Techniques
- Workshop: Conducting a Risk Analysis
- Reading: Paper on “Strategic Risk Management in Organizations”
- Module 8: Strategic Leadership
- Lecture: The Role of Leadership in Strategy
- Leadership Styles and Their Impact on Strategy
- Workshop: Case Study Analysis of Strategic Leaders
- Reading: Chapter on Strategic Leadership from “The Art of Strategic Leadership” by Steven J. Stowell and Stephanie S. Mead
- Module 9: Strategic Communication
- Lecture: Communicating the Strategy
- Internal and External Communication Plans
- Workshop: Developing a Strategic Communication Plan
- Reading: Article on “Effective Communication in Strategic Management”
- Module 10: Innovation and Strategic Planning
- Lecture: Fostering Innovation in Strategic Planning
- Techniques to Encourage Innovation
- Workshop: Brainstorming Innovative Strategies
- Reading: “Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make Competition Irrelevant” by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne
- Module 11: Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
- Lecture: Integrating Ethics and CSR into Strategic Planning
- Ethical Decision Making
- CSR Frameworks
- Workshop: Case Studies on CSR in Strategic Planning
- Reading: Article on “The Role of Ethics in Strategic Planning”
- Module 12: Capstone Project and Review
- Project Presentation: Students present their strategic plans
- Review Session: Recap of Key Learnings
- Final Exam: Comprehensive assessment of the course content
Assessment Methods
- Quizzes: Weekly quizzes to assess understanding of key concepts.
- Assignments: Practical assignments and case studies.
- Capstone Project: Comprehensive strategic plan development and presentation.
- Participation: Active participation in workshops and discussions.
Course Duration
5 weeks
