OLCD-PALS0014 - Mastering Strategy

Course Description

This course will provide you with a robust foundation of strategic knowledge by exploring strategy in several domains. It has been designed to have you learn both about strategy and how to be strategic, providing learners with the knowledge needed to understand strategy as well as the opportunity to build the skills and competencies required to leverage this understanding. You will become familiar with the origins of modern strategic thinking and with strategy in different contexts as well as with the thinking of some of the world’s most prominent strategic thinkers on everything from military strategy to strategic thinking in public-sector and private-sector organizations.

Course Outline

• Mastering Strategy
• Military Strategy
• Strategy in Other Contexts
• Introducing Game Theory
• Aspects of Organizational Strategy
• The Prescriptive Schools
• The Descriptive Schools
• Business Level and Functional Strategies
• Strategy Implementation

What You Will Learn

Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:

• Define strategy;
• Recognize and explain the difference between strategy and tactics;
• Recognize and explain what strategy is not;
• Value the need for strategy and strategic thinking;
• Discuss strategy in military, national, diplomatic, political, public sector, sports, and for-profit contexts;
• Explain and use numerous strategy tools;
• Discuss basic ‘Game Theory’ and its implications for strategy;
• Describe and resolve strategic dilemmas;
• Identify the link between strategy and ‘Future Shaping’;
• Explain and compare the ‘10 Schools of Strategy’;
• Value the importance of strategic decision making;
• Recognize the distinctions between strategy formation and implementation;
• Identify the risks of decoupling strategy formation from execution;
• Explain the importance of strategic learning and emergent strategy;
• Explain the role of functional strategies and the importance of their integration;
• Describe the impact that culture has on strategy;
• Discover the impact the cognitive biases can have on strategy;
• Describe the role that power plays in crafting strategy;
• Distinguish the bidirectional influence of organizational structure and strategy on each other;
• Discuss and resolve strategic challenges.

Microcredentials

This course provides learners with the opportunity to earn a microcredential. A microcredential is evidence of a skill or competency that is employment related. Dalhousie microcredentials are developed in collaboration with employers, industries, and/or organizations that relate to the content. A microcredential can be displayed on social media pages, digital resumes, personal webpages, and in email signatures. To earn the microcredential in this course, learners will need to successfully complete a competency-based assessment.

Learn more about this Leadership microcredential here.

Notes

The Faculty of OLCD recommends an intermediate level of English language proficiency for the most effective learning and participation in our online and face-to-face courses. A list of minimum recommended scores on some common English tests can be found on our website. If you have questions about your English language proficiency and ability to succeed in this course, please contact openlearning@dal.ca.

Recommended For

This course is recommended for:

• Seasoned, experienced leaders who wish to update or revitalize their thinking on strategy
• Aspiring or newly appointed managers in public or private sector organizations of all sizes
• Anyone who is tasked with developing or implementing strategy in an organization
• Consultants, advisors, coaches, project managers, HR professionals and others who can benefit from a robust understanding of strategy

Testimonials

I really enjoyed the facilitated discussions; they were very informative, and I took a lot out of them. The simulation was a great learning tool.

~ Nadia Punchard, Financial Administrator, Sunshine Coast Health Centre

I got a lot of value from the course. The facilitated discussions made it feel more like a learning environment where we were interacting with each other. It was great to get out of my bubble and interact with people doing totally different things.

~ Jennifer Prunty - Detachment Commander, RCMP

The group work and class discussions were great. And I really liked that we got to know our instructors. This was definitely the class I took the most from.

~ Leanne Pickrem, Manager, CSI Background Screening

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

• Certificate in Gaming Leadership : Electives
• Certificate in Leadership Excellence : Required
• Certificate in Police Leadership : Required
• Post-Graduate Certificate in Leadership Excellence : Required