Strategic planning and thinking

Course summary

Strategic planning is about getting your team, department or organisation where it needs to go. Starting with the bigger picture and moving on to the practical implementation issues, this course takes you right through the strategic planning process with helpful tools, techniques and ideas at every stage.





Course outline

Over the two days you will cover:

• using the strategic planning process to help you make choices about the future nature and direction of your organisation
• assessing the benefits and risks of strategic planning
• preparing for the planning process including developing a project plan, identifying your stakeholders
• the value of stakeholder involvement at every phase
• undertaking a strategic review to determine 'where are we now?' including stakeholder research, collaborator/competitor analysis and understanding when and how to use analytical tools such as SWOT, PEST and the Boston Consulting Group matrix to understand your organisation and its environment
• identifying strategic direction
  • identifying the key strategic issues for your organisation over the next few years
  • taking a fresh look at what your organisation is, what it does, and why
  • recognising how the findings of the review will impact on the organisation's strategic direction
  • clarifying mission, values and direction of travel
  • recognising the relationship between organisation strategy and brand identity, and aligning the two
• setting strategic objectives
  • establishing success criteria
  • listing priority areas for action and developing objectives;
  • applying SMART thinking;
  • using outcomes-based tools
• implementing the strategy
  • understanding the key factors involved in implementing strategy
  • using action planning tools such as logical frameworking, action planning grids and planning wheels;
  • communicating your strategic plan
• undertaking effective monitoring and evaluation
  • understanding the difference between monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment
  • Identifying the indicators, and how to measure their achievement
  • recognising emergent approaches to monitoring and evaluation such as participatory, real-time, balanced scorecard.

"I was a bit scared of coming on this course as first because I thought it would be quite "corporate". But it was relaxed, friendly and fun and I learned a lot." AK, Balik Arts


"The course was well facilitated, with excellent handouts. Use of creative approaches to think strategically was excellent". MG, 409 Projects Ltd

"I am very pleased with the course. I really enjoyed it - the group discussion was very useful. All the tools used were clear - and excellently put together." MD, Southwark Council


"Extremely informative and comprehensive. Course handouts contain really useful info and they are easy to read." PA Grenfell Housing Association


Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for managers with strategic planning responsibility. Although the emphasis is on corporate or organisation-wide planning, the tools and techniques covered will have value for business or departmental managers.

This is a stand-alone course, and is also part of our Certificate in Leadership and Management Programme (University of London)




What will this course help me do: learning outcomes?

By the end of the course, you will recognise the importance and value of detailed analysis and have experience in using a variety of tools. You will have an appreciation of the relationship between your organisation's vision and mission and its future, and will have practiced putting plans into action. You will also have a clear understanding of monitoring and evaluation.

"I am very pleased with the course. I really enjoyed it - the group discussion was very useful. All the tools used were clear - and excellently put together."
≈ MD, Southwark Council