Level 3 Diploma in Strategic Planning

Course Synopsis
This Quality Assured Level 3 Diploma course looks at providing the theory and concepts towards the journey of Business Strategic Planning.

Strategic planning is an organisation 's process of defining its strategy , or direction, and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy, including its capital and people. Various business analysis techniques can be used in strategic planning, including SWOT and PEST analysis .

Strategic planning is the formal consideration of an organisation's future course. All strategic planning deals with at least one of three key questions:

1. "What do we do?"
2. "For whom do we do it?"
3. "How do we excel?"

The course will appeal to students of Management and Business Administration who are looking for a practical foundation in this subject area. In addition, Business Managers wishing to expand their horizons into strategic business planning will find this course an invaluable guide into the theory and practice of strategic planning.

The course will consist of ten modules covering a wide variety of strategic planning topics and end with an online examination.

Course Contents:


Module One - Introduction to Business Strategic Planning
This unit provides the foundation material for the course. It examines, at a high level, both the theories and concepts of strategic planning and the methods, techniques and toolsets employed. The students learns the early differentiation between IS Strategic Planning and IT Strategic Planning. The broader perspectives are examined including Corporate Planning and the interlock to key components such as Programme Management and Change Management.

Module Two - The journey of strategy making
This refers to the cyclical approach of strategic decision making (the journey). It will consider such items as:

• Political feasibility
• Role of participation
• Determination of reality
• Shareholder Management
• The links between strategy and organizational change
• Using computer support as an assistance in strategic delivery

Module Three - Accepted theories and concepts of strategic planning
This unit examines the varying theories and concepts supporting this approach.

• The accepted definitions and theories of strategic planning
• The concepts in constructing a strategic plan
• The important aspects of business integration
• Strategy as a catalyst for promoting business change
• Identification of risk and managing strategic problems

Module Four - Stakeholder Analysis and Management
This unit looks at the determination of the key stakeholders in IS Strategic Planning.

• Managing the competing demands of different sets of stakeholders
• Analysis of Stakeholders
• Stakeholder Influence
• The Stakeholder Grid - Thinking about stakeholders
• Modelling the basis of power and interest
• The coherence of strategy making - inclusion of stakeholder views

Module Five - Developing Models of Strategic Planning
This unit examines the complexity of strategic planning and the type of planning models that can be produced.

• The conventional approaches to strategic planning - the accepted models
• Latest trends and techniques in strategic planning
• Managing Executive acceptance and understanding - the consultants dilemma
• A look at the structured approaches to strategic planning

Module Six - The method approach to strategic planning
This unit considers the formal structured method approaches to completing a strategic plan. The following areas are examined:

• Introduction to structured planning techniques
• Approaches adopted by the big international strategy houses
• A look in depth at the approach put forward by OGC for strategic development work within the UK Government Departments
• Concepts of interlock - how the pieces fit together
• Computer software assists supporting strategy development

Module Seven - Working with teams - group approach to strategic development
This unit explores the importance of group dynamics within the overall concept of strategic development work.

• Guidelines for working with teams
• Computer supported group workshops
• Getting the best from team interaction
• Concepts of Brainstorming
• Oval Mapping Workshops

Module Eight - Maps and Models for Workshops
Workshops form a vital part in the gathering, analysis and dissemination of information for strategic planning. This unit explores the maps and models that support this approach.

• Guidelines for analyzing interview maps
• Basic Map analysis
• Locating goals and strategic issues
• Creating Categories
• Developing draft and core options
• Analyzing maps and computer models

Module Nine - Methods of Delivery - Implementing Strategic Concepts
This unit explores how strategic plans are converted to action plans and subsequently rolled out and implemented.

• Key interlock criteria - Programme and Change Management
• Interface to Corporate Planning
• Benefits Measurement Criteria
• Modularity in strategic planning
• Managing Risks and Exposure
• Key implementation criteria

Module Ten - Concepts of Interlock - integrating strategic planning into the business framework
This unit examines how strategic planning fits into a holistic model within the Corporate architecture.

• The holistic strategic model
• The importance of interlock
• Communications in strategic planning
• The facilitator - winning hearts and minds Vignettes - Case studies of strategic planning in action

Entry Requirements
All students must per 16 years of age and above.

These require a minimum prior learning to GCSE standard in order to for students to manage study and the assumed knowledge within course content.

Study Hours
Approximately 20 hours per unit

Assessment Method

Final online multiple choice examination.

Please note that you can enrol on this course at anytime.

Award
Level 3 Diploma in Strategic Planning

This course is Quality Assured by OLQA

Additional Information
You will receive a certificate from the College. Fees for both are included in the course fee.

The course can be enrolled upon by students Internationally. There are no deadlines for enrolments.

To view the differences between our qualifications, please click HERE

What's Included
All study materials to enable the student to successfully complete the Diploma. Support is provided by the tutor department. Certification upon completion. All examination fees.

Course Fee
£415.00

Payment by Instalments
Students are able to pay course fees in monthly instalments. Click here to download our instalment plan.

Further Information
These require a minimum prior learning to GCSE standard in order to for students to manage study and the assumed knowledge within course content.

They provide an ability to gain and apply a range of knowledge, skills and understanding in a specific subject at a detailed level. Level 3 qualifications such as A levels, NVQ3, BTEC Diplomas etc. are appropriate if you plan to progress to university study.

Level 3 courses which are not examination board accredited can assist you in career development, continued professional development, personal development, and provision of a basis for further study.

Progression from level 3 is to specialist learning and detailed analysis of a higher level of information (for example university level study, Diploma Level 5 study).

Level 3 Diploma
The Quality Assured Diploma is a Level 3 equivalent on the National Qualifications Framework. The Diploma is a 1 year course which is self study and is examined by online examination. The Diploma is awarded by Oxford College. Upon completion of the course you will receive certification awarded by Oxford College.

Your course is delivered online via the Oxford Learning On Campus website.

This is a flexible learning course, so the more time you have to commit to your studies, the sooner you are able to complete.

Please note that included in your course fee is your registration to the On Campus student community, and a licence to print your study materials.

Please note that the licence is for one print only, so please ensure that you have enough paper and ink to print the full course materials if required.

You will require having one of the following packages to access your On Campus area:

• Windows:Windows 98, 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7 - Acrobat Reader 4.0 and above
• Macintosh:Mac OS X, Mac OS 9.2 - Acrobat Reader 4.0 and above

In the student 'On Campus' you are also able to take part in the student chat room and forums as part of our online student community.

After enrolling online you will receive your username and password to access the On Campus area within 5 working days. You will also receive your personal Oxford Learning student number via email.

Materials and support provided by Oxford Learning.