The Strategy Academy

Stategic Planning Certification Program

Unlock the game-changing benefits of becoming a strategic leader!

Next Live 2 week session starts May 5, 2025

$499

ENROLL

Master the strategic planning process: Learn to set SMART goals, prioritize actions, and create actionable plans to achieve your organization's vision.

2 weeks

7-8 hrs/week

StratifyPro Software - 1 year!

This course earns you a Certificate of Completion from StratifyPro and Letter of Recommendation from Board Executives

Why Enroll in the Strategic Planning Certification Program?

The global race is relentless. Staying ahead means not just innovating, but strategically building your future. This requires a new generation of leaders – those with an innovative drive, a sharp strategic planning focus, and a powerful vision for what's next.

Our Strategic Planning Certification Program is your key to making a real impact. We'll supercharge your ability to craft SMART goals, build rock-solid alignment, and create strategic plans laser-focused on outcomes and results. You'll gain the frameworks and practical skills to navigate complexity, fuel innovation, and confidently guide your organization to achieve its biggest ambitions.

71%

of fast-growing companies have strategic plans with proven frameworks and strategy mgmt tools in place

SOURCE: McKINSEY

90%

of companies fail to execute their strategies when strategic plans, frameworks and tools are not in place

SOURCE: GARTNER

INTRUDUCTION TO COURSE

Take your strategic planning beyond theory and achieve real-world results. This comprehensive course provides a step-by-step framework to define your strategic intent, prioritize actions for maximum impact, set SMART goals that drive performance, and develop a cohesive strategic plan that aligns your entire organization. Learn to use StratifyPro, a powerful strategic planning platform, to effectively manage and execute your strategy, ensuring clarity, alignment, and measurable outcomes that transform your organization's future.

STRATEGIC PLANNING KEY CONCEPTS

The ability to translate analysis into actionable strategy: Students will move beyond simply conducting analyses (like SWOT, TOWS, PESTLE, Porter's Five Forces) and gain the practical skills to use those analyses to define a clear strategic intent and develop concrete strategic and tactical plans.

A framework for aligning action with strategic intent through SMART goals: The course emphasizes the importance of aligning all activities, from resource allocation to performance monitoring, with the overall strategic direction. Students will learn how to use tools like KPIs and the SMART goal framework to ensure this alignment and drive measurable results.

Proficiency in using technology to manage strategy: Students will gain hands-on experience with strategic analysis platforms and AI tools, particularly StratifyPro. This will equip them to effectively manage strategic plans, track progress, and make data-driven decisions.

A holistic approach to strategic thinking, planning, and execution: By integrating the refinement of strategic intent, the creation of actionable plans using SMART goals, and the use of technology for implementation and monitoring, the course will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the entire strategic management process.

WHO BENEFITS

Leaders &
Teams

Acquire the frameworks and tools to enhance strategic thinking within your team, department, or organization.

Aspiring, Mid & Entry-Level Managers

Advance your career by developing the skills to successfully enable and deliver strategic thinking.

Entrpreneurs and Consultants

Develop the strategic thinking skills necessary to articulate compelling Strategic Intent and formulate robust Strategic Options that position organizations for future success.

INCLUDES THE FULL VERSION
AI POWERED STRATIFYPRO SOFWARE FOR 1 YEAR!

Syllabus

5 Modules, 6 sessions, 25-30 Hours Total

Download Full Syllabus (pdf)

3-4

hrs

Feasibility & Impact : One 3-4 hour sessions + homework + testing

Feasibility & Impact

This is the first part of an intensive online course designed to equip participants with the skills to develop and execute effective strategic plans. This section focuses on evaluating strategic actions derived from prior strategic thinking activities (e.g., TOWS analysis) by assessing their feasibility and potential impact. This foundational step is crucial for ensuring that strategic initiatives are practical, achievable, and aligned with the organization's overall goals.

Key Concept

The Feasibility & Impact section of the Strategic Planning course establishes a foundation for evaluating strategic actions by focusing on several key concepts. Feasibility Assessment involves determining the practicality and viability of implementing actions within an organization's constraints, while Impact Analysis systematically examines the potential consequences of these actions on the organization and its stakeholders. This evaluation requires a deep understanding of Resource Constraints, which are the limitations affecting an organization's capacity to act, and Dependencies, the interrelationships between various strategic actions. Furthermore, Risk Assessment is crucial for identifying and analyzing potential risks associated with these actions. Finally, the section emphasizes the importance of both Cost-Benefit Analysis, a method for weighing the financial and non-financial implications, and Stakeholder Analysis, which focuses on understanding the impact of actions on relevant individuals or groups, to inform sound strategic decision-making.

Learning Outcomes

Evaluating Strategic Actions: Students will be able to evaluate the practicality of strategic actions.
Analyzing Potential Consequences: Students will be able to analyze the potential consequences of strategic actions.
Applying Evaluation Criteria: Students will be able to apply criteria for assessing strategic actions.
Considering Resource and Dependencies: Students will be able to consider resource constraints and dependencies in strategic decision-making.

Featured Exercises

Feasibility Case Study: Analyze a real-world scenario to evaluate the practicality of a strategic action.
Impact Role-Play: Engage in a simulation to understand diverse stakeholder perspectives on strategic decisions.
Resource Allocation Simulation: Practice making strategic choices under realistic constraints.
Company Analysis: Conduct your own feasibility and impact analysis on an assigned company within group assignments.

3-4

hrs

Strategic Options & Intent : One 3.5-hour session + homework + testing

Strategy to SMART Goals

This session bridges strategic thinking and practical execution by focusing on developing SMART goals. It provides a structured approach for translating prioritized strategic actions into well-defined, measurable objectives. Participants will learn to craft goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, which is a fundamental skill for effective strategic planning. This process ensures that efforts are focused, aligned with the organization's strategic intent, and set up for clear progress tracking.

Key Concept

This session provides a crucial bridge between strategic thinking and practical execution by focusing on the development of SMART goals. Participants move beyond simply understanding strategic concepts to applying a structured approach for translating prioritized strategic actions into well-defined, measurable objectives. By learning how to craft goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, participants gain a fundamental skill for effective strategic planning. This process ensures that efforts are focused, aligned with the organization's strategic intent, and set up for clear progress tracking.

Learning Outcomes

Explain Goal Setting Principles: Explain the principles of effective goal setting in strategic planning.
Differentiate Goal Levels: Differentiate between strategic, tactical, and operational goals.
Define SMART Criteria: Define and explain the SMART criteria for goal development.
Apply SMART Framework: Apply the SMART framework to analyze and develop strategic goals.
Develop SMART Goals: Develop SMART goals from strategic actions.

Featured Exercises

Strategic Intent Recap Exercise: An exercise where students recap and discuss the importance of strategic intent in the goal-setting process.
SMART Criteria Application Exercise: An exercise focused on applying the SMART criteria to transform provided strategic actions into SMART goals (using real examples).
SMART Goal Creation Activity: A group activity where students create SMART goals for their assigned company.
SMART Goal Report-Out and Feedback: Students present their SMART goals and receive feedback.

3-4

hrs

Refining Strategic Intent : One 3-4 hour session + homework + testing

Refining Strategic Intent

This section of the course builds upon the strategic thinking foundations established in Part 1. While strategic intent was initially explored and refined in the previous course, this module emphasizes its iterative nature and the importance of continuous refinement. Participants will delve deeper into the process of defining and refining strategic intent, ensuring it provides clear direction, focus, and inspiration for all strategic efforts.

Key Concept

The key takeaway is that strategic intent acts as the organization's compass, providing overarching direction and focus for all strategic endeavors. It's more than just a vision; it's about defining how and why an organization aims to achieve its goals. This part of the course emphasizes that defining and refining strategic intent isn't a one-time task, but rather an iterative process of continuous improvement. Ultimately, the goal is to develop a well-defined strategic intent that enables effective prioritization of actions and serves as a solid foundation for all future strategic decisions

Learning Outcomes

Define Strategic Intent: Define strategic intent and its importance.
Apply Iterative Refinement: Apply an iterative process to refine strategic intent.
Integrate Analysis: Integrate analysis (SWOT, etc.) into strategic intent.
Develop Clear Intent: Develop clear, focused, and inspiring strategic intent.
Consider Strategic Directions: Consider strategic directions and core competencies.
Prioritize Stakeholder Value: Prioritize stakeholder value in strategic intent.
Use Intent for Decisions: Use strategic intent to guide prioritization and decisions.

Featured Exercises

Intent Development: Developing initial strategic intent statements for the assigned company.
Iterative Refinement Process: Implementing a structured process of questioning and refining the company's strategic intent.
Analysis Integration Application: Applying techniques (SWOT, PESTLE, etc.) to integrate analysis into the company's strategic intent.
Stakeholder Value Definition: Defining and prioritizing stakeholder value in the context of the company.
Strategic Direction Exploration: Exploring different strategic directions relevant to the company's situation.
Competency Leverage Planning: Planning how the company can leverage its core competencies within its strategic intent.

3-4

hrs

Strategic Action Prioritization: One 3-4 hour session + homework + testing

Strategic Action Prioritization

This session focuses on the crucial aspect of strategic action prioritization within the strategic planning process. It emphasizes structured decision-making to effectively translate strategic intent into tangible outcomes. Students will learn to establish clear prioritization criteria, apply them systematically, and justify their choices to focus efforts on the most impactful actions.

Key Concept

This session equips participants with a structured approach to strategic action prioritization, a critical skill in strategic planning. By establishing clear criteria, systematically applying them, and justifying choices, participants learn to effectively select and sequence strategic actions. This process enables organizations to allocate limited resources strategically, maximize impact, and ultimately achieve their long-term goals.

Learning Outcomes

Understand Prioritization Importance: Understand the importance of prioritization in strategic planning.
Establish Prioritization Criteria: Establish and apply prioritization criteria to strategic actions.
Rank Strategic Actions: Rank and group strategic actions based on priority.
Justify Prioritization Decisions: Justify prioritization decisions.
Collaborate on Prioritization: Work collaboratively to prioritize strategic actions for a given company.

Featured Exercises

Criteria Definition Exercise: Students participate in defining and discussing relevant prioritization criteria.
Criteria Application Exercise: Students apply prioritization criteria to specific strategic action examples.
Action Ranking/Grouping Exercise: Students rank or group a set of strategic actions based on the criteria.
Justification Development Exercise: Students develop and articulate justifications for their prioritization decisions.
Group Prioritization Project: Students work in groups to prioritize strategic actions for an assigned company.

7-8

hrs

Build a Strategic Plan : Two 3.5-hour session + homework + testing

Buoild a Strategic Plan

This course provides a comprehensive guide to developing a strategic plan, moving from foundational elements to actionable strategies. Participants will learn how to structure a strategic plan, decompose SMART goals into tactical and operational components, ensure alignment across all levels of the organization, and establish systems for tracking progress and measuring outcomes. The course will also cover the use of StratifyPro, a software tool designed to aid in the creation, management, and execution of strategic plans.

Key Concept

This course empowers participants to move beyond individual SMART goals to create a complete and cohesive strategic plan. Participants will learn to structure a plan, decompose goals, ensure alignment, track progress, and utilize StratifyPro to effectively guide their strategic planning efforts and drive measurable organizational outcomes.

Learning Outcomes

Explain Strategic Plan Structure: Explain the different components of a strategic plan and how they relate to each other.
Categorize SMART Goals: Categorize SMART goals into relevant viewpoints.
Decompose SMART Goals: Decompose SMART goals into strategic, tactical, and operational goals.
Apply Goal Decomposition: Apply goal decomposition to create actionable plans with clear paths from strategy to execution.
Ensure Strategic Alignment: Ensure alignment of plans and goals at all levels of the organization.
Establish Tracking Systems: Establish systems for tracking progress toward goals and measuring outcomes.
Utilize StratifyPro: Utilize StratifyPro to create, manage, and execute strategic plans.

Featured Exercises

SMART Goal Categorization Exercise: Students will categorize SMART goals into relevant viewpoints (e.g., Finance, Customer Success) for better organization and focus.
Strategic Plan Development Exercise: Students will structure a strategic plan, defining different levels of goals and their relationships.
SMART Goal Decomposition Exercise: Students will practice breaking down SMART goals into strategic, tactical, and operational goals to create actionable plans.
Alignment Activity: Students will work on ensuring the alignment of goals and actions across different levels of the organization to support the overall strategic intent.
StratifyPro Demonstration and Practice: Students will observe a demonstration of StratifyPro and engage in hands-on exercises to learn how to use the software for plan creation, goal decomposition, and tracking.

Syllabus

CEOMessage

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO

CEO-Level Guidance for Business Growth

Our experienced team of former CEOs and executives understands the unique challenges you face. We've been in your shoes and know how to navigate complex business environments. Let us help you avoid common pitfalls and achieve your goals.

ENROLL

Your Instructor

Dr. Richard Aquilina is a globally recognized leadership expert with a focus on bridging the "Human Side of Technology." He specializes in coaching executives, leaders, and top talent in technical fields, driving team alignment, engagement, and transformational change. With extensive experience in Fortune 500 companies and academia, he provides practical coaching strategies ("RICHuals™") and authored training manuals to accelerate individual and team effectiveness. He holds a doctorate from Michigan State University and has extensive post-graduate education.

Enrollment

Strategic Planning Certificate Course
Online Class Sessions
2 weeks | Six 3-4 hour sessions / Mon-Wed-Fri | Enrollment deadline April 28 | Class begins May 5
Starts May 5
499 US dollars
View Course

Want to enroll your entire team? A Special Request?

This may include the need to have special time and dates, discuss special pricing for groups - or any other special request. Leave your name and email and we will contact you to discuss your needs

OUR SIMPLE METHODOLOGY

Download our THINK-PLAN-GO® Methodology

Your sneak peak into our very own strategic planning and execution approach that enables outcomes that has been tried, refined and proven for over three decades.

Downlaod Now

YOUR VERY OWN STRATEGY MANAGEMENT TOOLKIT

Download our Strategy Toolkit

Discover the secrets to mastering strategy management with the StratifyPro Management Platform that embodies the Think-Pan-Go Methodology. Through a seamless blend of technology, a proven methodology and management expertise, the StratifyPro Platform is your best partner in navigating the challenging waters of global business, ensuring that your strategic initiatives are both effective and adaptive.

Downlaod Now

Use Cases

Core Features

StratifyPro Process

The Strategy Academy

Stategic Planning Certification Program

Unlock the game-changing benefits of becoming a strategic leader!

$499

Master the strategic planning process: Learn to set SMART goals, prioritize actions, and create actionable plans to achieve your organization's vision.

Why Enroll in the Strategic Planning Certification Program?

71%

90%

INTRUDUCTION TO COURSE

STRATEGIC PLANNING KEY CONCEPTS

WHO BENEFITS

Syllabus

5 Modules, 6 sessions, 25-30 Hours Total

Download Full Syllabus (pdf)

3-4

Feasibility & Impact

Key Concept

Learning Outcomes

Featured Exercises

Your Instructor

Strategic Planning Certificate Course

Want to enroll your entire team? A Special Request?

This may include the need to have special time and dates, discuss special pricing for groups - or any other special request. Leave your name and email and we will contact you to discuss your needs

Your sneak peak into our very own strategic planning and execution approach that enables outcomes that has been tried, refined and proven for over three decades.