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.

Course Outline

Topics and concepts you will study in the course include:

• Military strategy, national strategy, diplomatic strategy, political strategy, public sector strategy and competitive strategy
• Strategic management in public sector organizations
• Mintzberg and colleagues’ 10 schools of strategy
• Approaches to and challenges with crafting strategy
• Strategy tools (including SWOT analysis, the BCG Matrix, Porter’s 5 Forces, PEST analysis)
• Game theory
• Blue Ocean Strategy
• Functional strategies (including marketing strategy, HR strategy, and manufacturing strategy)
• Approaches to and challenges with strategy execution
• Strategic learning
• Cultural and cognitive considerations for decision-making

What You Will Learn

Following successful completion of this course, participants will:

• Have developed a deep understanding of strategy and understand what strategy involves in different contexts
• Be able to explain the difference between strategy and tactics
• Be familiar with the origin of modern strategic thinking and have become acquainted with some of the world’s most prominent strategic thinkers
• Understand the strengths and limitations of the various schools of strategy and appreciate the importance of strategic learning
• Be familiar with a range of strategy formation and implementation tools
• Have practiced making decisions in the face of uncertainty
• Be aware of the importance of strategy execution, the challenges associated with it, and approaches to drive effective implementation
• Applied your learning to real strategic challenges faced by your organization and those of others in your course working group

Microcredential

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.

To learn more about microcredentials and how they can enhance your learning portfolio, watch this 30-second YouTube video (video opens in a new window).

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 Leadership Excellence : Required
• Certificate in Police Leadership : Required
• Post-Graduate Diploma in Professional and Leadership Studies : Required - Leadership Excellence
• Public Safety Communicator Leadership Certificate : Electives