Syllabus Overview

This program is intended for the supervisor, manager, director or those who has the authority and personal skills to develop and
implement organisational strategy. It is equally valuable for the person who aspires to such a role, by helping them to gain the knowledge and understanding necessary for carrying out that responsibility.

Entry Requirement: 5 CXC Subjects, 18 years or older

Druation: 15 contact hours for 1 credit.

Exam: Course available upon requeat and an exam date is set at registration.

Objective:

• Upon completion the student should be to:
• improve the competitiveness of the organisation
• optimise the strategic utilisation of resources
• assist the candidate to communicate effectively inside and outside the organisation
• assist managers to develop the management team into a coherent mutually supportive and motivated group of people who share with thei
• strategic manager a common vision and purpose as to the nature of their business.

Module Content
This module covers:
• gathering strategic data
• Analysis of strategic information
• Evaluation of strategic alternatives Understanding:
• The strategic management process:
– Vision
– Values
– Mission
– Corporate objectives and strategy
– Strategic Business Unit (SBU) objectives and strategy
– Functional objectives and strategy
• The impact of organisation types, structures and cultures on strategy
• The range of information required to inform strategic decisions
• The legal issues around corporate governance
• The external and internal strategic issues impacting upon the organisation
• The strategic analysis and evaluation tools available to inform and influence strategic decisions

How to:
• Select the appropriate tools to gather data for analysis from the external and internal environments
• Apply an extensive range of strategic analysis tools to the information, and interpret the results
• Identify strategic alternatives resulting from the analysis
• Evaluate the identified alternatives to determine the desired future position in line with corporate ambitions
• Involve others in strategic issues - stakeholders and subject-matter experts

Learning outcome

Following completion of this module, you will know how to:
1. Review the current corporate strategic position and determine the desired future strategic position.
2. Evaluate alternative strategies to meet the desired future strategic position.
3. Decide upon a strategy and identify how, if required, you would justify your selection to meet the required future strategic position.


Module II - Strategic planning

Overview
This module will guide you through the processes of strategic planning, based on the conclusions from your strategic analysis and positioning, and the impact of those processes on people and operations, both internally and externally.

Aims
To help you to develop:
1. An understanding of the strategic planning process and the importance of with, and involving, others.
2. The ability to synthesise the implications of change decisions on people and processes.

Module Content
This module covers:
• Strategic planning
• Stakeholder involvement and commitment
• Contingency planning

Understanding:
• The component parts of a strategic plan
• The change implications of the plan on people, mission, values and culture
• The need to involve others in the development and implementation of the plan including consulting, delegating, supporting and developing competence
• The need to identify contingencies within the plan and the importance of reviewing strategic progress with all stakeholders, both internal and external
• The importance of actively seeking, and being receptive and responsive to, changing data and information which may alter the strategic perspective

How to:
Develop a strategic plan, which identifies:
• Strategic objectives
• Timescales
• Activities
• Required resources
• Management tasks (communication, involvement, gaining support, developing alliances, delegation)
• Outcomes: Identify the actions necessary to secure commitment to change, including staff development and organisational change.

Recognise and use contingency planning and review, including stakeholder involvement in the progress of the plan.

Learning outcomes

Following completion of this program, you will know how to:
1. Produce a strategic plan to achieve the desired strategic position and show how it will be effectively managed.
2. Identify the possible impact of the plan on the stakeholders, both internal and external to the organisation, and the methods you are proposing to use to secure their on-going commitment and support.


Module III- Strategic implementation

Overview
This module will guide you through management control of the implementation and review of a strategic plan.

Aims
To help you to develop:
1. An understanding of both the 'hard' and 'soft' issues arising from the implementation of a strategic plan.
2. Management skills and techniques to deal with emerging data and information which could materially impact on the successful achievement of strategic objectives.

Unit content
This module covers:
• Management control of the implementation and review of a strategic plan
• Control and review techniques
• Supporting and guiding stakeholders

Understanding:
• The need to continually review the plan against the original criteria and environmental changes
• Management control of the strategic plan, i.e. the organisational environment, activities and performance
• The need to maintain momentum
• The feedback loop to strategic positioning

How to:
• Continually review the plan against emerging data
• Communicate the plan and delegate responsibilities and authorities for implementation
• Maintain the momentum, e.g. championing and supporting the strategic implementation
• Exercise management control of resources and activities
• Balance contingencies, including analysing, reviewing and taking decisions
• Evaluate the on-going effects of implementation on the organisation
• Evaluate organisational performance against the original objectives
• Revise the strategic plan in the light of this review of performance

Learning outcomes

Following completion of this program, you will know how to:
1. Champion and manage the implementation, control and review of the strategic plan.
2. Deal with the human resource issues that can result from a change in strategic focus.
3. Deal with the required changes to strategic implementation in the light of a changing internal and external environment.