Strategic Planning for Organisational Success

What is strategic planning?

Strategic planning is a framework that equips organisations with the ability to develop, adapt and align organisational vision, mission and goals to achieve and sustain competitive advantage.

What is this course about?

In this course, you gain the knowledge needed to formulate, execute and monitor strategic planning initiatives for your organisation based on proven analytical techniques and models.

What background do I need?

A general understanding of business practices is helpful. No prior knowledge of strategic planning is assumed.

Who will benefit from this course?

This course is valuable for all managers, senior executives, business analysts and anyone involved in planning or implementing strategic initiatives at an organisational or business unit level.

I am only involved in the execution of strategies in my organization. Will this course benefit me?

Yes! This course helps you to see your role in the context of your entire organisation. It is designed to provide an understanding of the inter-working relationship and elements of strategic planning at all levels.

I do not have strong analytical or finance skills. Will I still benefit from this course?

Yes! This course is based on identifying and valuing information, not on complex financial tools. No prior knowledge of finance is assumed.

Will this course help me write a strategic plan?

Yes. In this course, you are provided with an end-to-end process for the analysis, planning, execution, and monitoring of strategies. Strategic plans at different organisational levels are discussed.

How does this course differ from Course 907, IT Strategic Planning: Maximising the Value of Your IT Investment?

If you are directly involved in the development of your organisation's overall strategy, then you should take Course 252, Strategic Planning for Organisational Success.

If you are involved in creating an IT strategic plan that aligns with your organisation's business objectives, you should take Course 907, IT Strategic Planning: Maximising the Value of Your IT Investment.

How does this course differ from Course 3310, Applying Strategic Thinking to Operational Management?

If you are directly involved in the development of your organisation's strategy, then you should take Course 252, Strategic Planning for Organisational Success. If you are primarily responsible for ensuring that the organisation achieves its goals at the operational level, then you should take Course 3310, Applying Strategic Thinking to Operational Management.

Because of the complementary nature of these courses, if you are involved in both designing strategy and managing an operational department, then you may consider taking both Course 252 and Course 3310.

What specific tools and techniques are discussed in this class?

• SWOT analysis

• Porter's five forces model for analysing industry factors
• Value chain analysis
• Balanced scorecard
• Low cost leadership strategy
• Differentiation and specialization strategies
• Other strategies well suited to specific circumstances

I am not responsible for preparing strategic plans in my organization. Will I benefit from this course?

Yes! If you are responsible for preparing or executing on planning initiatives such as new products, new services, or new markets for your organisation, you will benefit from the creative and multi-disciplinary approach to strategic planning that this course provides.

You learn to make meaningful contributions to your organisation and tailor products that are aligned to your company's strategy. You also gain insight into the implementation of strategy by senior management.

How much time is spent on each topic?

How does strategic planning differ from other types of planning such as project planning, budgeting, etc.?

This course outlines a broad set of organizational issues and applies specific tools to develop strategic plans for long term competitive advantage in the marketplace. Strategic plan horizons are typically longer than project plans and budgeting cycles.

I have an advanced business degree/MBA. Will this course be of any benefit?

This course will demonstrate timely, real-world examples and apply the current thinking and theories of strategic planning tools. It will serve as a good refresher course and update your skills to coincide with current practices in the area of strategic planning.

What kind of workshops does this course offer?

Approximately 60 percent of this course is spent on interactive workshops to provide practical experience in strategic planning. These workshops include:

• Determining mission, vision and core competencies
• Identifying opportunities and threats with SWOT analysis
• Assessing your internal strengths and weaknesses
• Formulating an effective strategy for competitive advantage
• Conducting a gap analysis between current and needed organisation characteristics
• Crafting an action plan to implement strategy
• Designing dashboard metrics to monitor progress

Is this course applicable toward a Project Management Institute (PMI) certification?

Yes. Though this course is not designed as preparation for an exam, it is beneficial to anyone working toward, or maintaining, a PMI certification. Most PMI certifications require a specific number of PDUs in order to obtain and maintain the credential. Completion of this course provides 17 professional development units (PDUs).

Learning Tree offers several courses that help you prepare for PMI certifications, including Course 276, Preparing for the Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam, which prepares you for PMI's most popular certification. For more details on these courses and PMI certifications, please see the Learning Tree PMI Registered Education Provider Q&A.

Is this course endorsed by the IIBA^®?

Yes. Learning Tree is an Endorsed Education Provider (EEP^TM) by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA^®). This course has been approved by the IIBA^® as supporting core concepts and knowledge outlined by IIBA^®'s Business Analysis Body of Knowledge^® (BABOK^®). Completion of this course counts as 17 continuing development units (CDUs)that will assist you in qualifying for or maintaining the Certified Business Analysis Professional^TM (CBAP^®) certification. For more information about CDUs and how to register them with the IIBA^®, please see the Learning Tree IIBA^® EEP^TM Q&A or http://www.theiiba.org.

The IIBA^®, an independent, nonprofit professional association for business analysts, created the BABOK^®, which is a collection of knowledge for professional business analysts. The BABOK^® reflects generally accepted practices and describes business analysis areas of knowledge, their associated activities and tasks, and the skills necessary to be effective in their execution.

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

The following courses can help you expand your skills as a strategic planner:

• 247, MBA Essentials: Enhancing Organisational Performance , provides you with the fundamental skills and proven management tools typically taught in MBA programs
• 284, Critical Thinking and Creative Problem Solving , provides the skills needed to foster innovation in the workplace, systematically analyse problems and transform creativity into practical business solutions
• 288, Achieving APMG Change Management Practitioner Certification , supplies the knowledge and skills to guide people in your workplace through the process of change

Learning Tree also offers courses in the following related areas:

• Project Management
• Management and Leadership Skills
• Communication and Time Management
• Business Analysis

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