Course at a glance

Introduction

For this course you do not need to have a background in strategic planning, you may just have an interest. You may have recognised that you are a part of a business and for some reason you want to develop, grow or maintain that business. This Level 3 Diploma course looks at providing the theory and concepts towards the journey of Business Strategic Planning. We all plan, unknowingly, to some extent or another in informal settings; whether this is to do with the household, leisure activities, personal finance or within our work environments. Strategic planning is an organisation’s process of defining its strategy, or direction, and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy, including its capital and people. Various business analysis techniques can be used in strategic planning: such as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) and Political, Economic, Social and Technological, PEST analysis.

Strategic planning is the formal consideration of an organisation’s future course. All strategic planning deals with at least one of three key questions:

1. “What do we do?”

2. “For whom do we do it?”

3. “How do we excel?”

The course will appeal to students of Management and Business Administration who are looking for a practical foundation in this subject area. Business Managers wishing to expand their horizons into strategic business planning will find this course an invaluable guide into the theory and practice of strategic planning. It will also suit learners’ with a general interest, in order to gain a deeper understanding of their work or social environments. On completion of this course, new knowledge and understanding can be used as a transferable skill. The course will consist of ten modules covering a wide variety of strategic planning topics and end with an online examination.

Level 3 Strategic Planning Diploma Entry Requirements

All students must be 16 years of age and above to enrol into our Level 3 Strategic Planning Diploma course.

Level 3 Diploma courses require a minimum prior learning to GCSE standard in order that students can manage their studies and the assumed knowledge within course content.

Course Study Hours

Approximately 20 hours per unit.

Assessment

Optional coursework and final examination.

Enrolment

Please note that you can enrol on this course at anytime.

Course Length

1 Year.

Endorsed By

Students at the college have the option to choose the awarding body of their course.

This course has been endorsed by :

Quality Licence Scheme: https://qualitylicencescheme.co.uk/

Or

Accord : https://accord.ac/

This courses’ awarding bodies are recognised for their high-quality, non-regulated provision and training programmes. This course is not regulated by Ofqual and is not an accredited qualification. Your training provider will be able to advise you on any further recognition, for example progression routes into further and/or higher education. For further information please visit Quality Licence Scheme website or Accord website

Level 3 Strategic Planning Diploma Course Contents

Level 3 Strategic Planning Diploma Module One – Introduction to Business Strategic Planning

What is a strategic plan? What are the planning stages? We need to understand business plans – their variables and control management.

To have a plan or not to have a plan – why should there be an interest in strategic planning? Strategic plans and change – discover why there may be a need to be aware of variables. This unit provides the foundation material for the course. It examines, at a high level, the theories and concepts of strategic planning and the methods, techniques and toolsets employed. The student learns the early differentiation between IS Strategic Planning and IT Strategic Planning. The broader perspectives are examined including Corporate Planning and the interlock to key components such as Programme Management and Change Management. By the end of this module you will have a better understanding of analysis when putting together long-term strategic plans. Culture and change in organisations’ effect policy – the vision (objectives) and a mission (who we are) are the tools required for good promotion. Notable achievements from history, which help to understand strategic plans, are also considered.

Level 3 Strategic Planning Diploma Module Two – The journey of strategy making

This refers to the cyclical approach of strategic decision making and the journey process. The module will assess the bigger picture and influences of strategic planning. It will consider such items as;

  • Political feasibility,
  • Role of participation,
  • Determination of reality,
  • Shareholder Management,
  • The links between strategy and organizational change,
  • Using computer support as an assistance in strategic delivery.

Level 3 Strategic Planning Diploma Module Three – Accepted theories and concepts of strategic planning

This unit examines the varying theories and concepts supporting this approach;

  • The accepted definitions and theories of strategic planning,
  • The concepts in constructing a strategic plan,
  • The important aspects of business integration,
  • Strategy as a catalyst for promoting business change,
  • Identification of risk and managing strategic problems.

Level 3 Strategic Planning Diploma Module Four – Stakeholder Analysis and Management

This unit looks at the determination of the key stakeholders in IS Strategic Planning;

  • Managing the competing demands of different sets of stakeholders,
  • Analysis of Stakeholders,
  • Stakeholder Influence,
  • The Stakeholder Grid – Thinking about stakeholders,
  • Modelling the basis of power and interest,
  • The coherence of strategy making – inclusion of stakeholder views.

Level 3 Strategic Planning Diploma Module Five – Developing Models of Strategic Planning

This unit examines the complexity of strategic planning and the type of planning models that can be produced;

  • The conventional approaches to strategic planning – the accepted models,
  • Latest trends and techniques in strategic planning,
  • Managing Executive acceptance and understanding – the consultants dilemma,
  • A look at the structured approaches to strategic planning.

Level 3 Strategic Planning Diploma Module Six – The method approach to strategic planning

This unit considers the formal structured method approaches to completing a strategic plan. The following areas are examined;

  • Introduction to structured planning techniques,
  • Approaches adopted by the big international strategy houses,
  • A look in depth at the approach put forward by OGC for strategic development work within the UK Government Departments,
  • Concepts of interlock – how the pieces fit together,
  • Computer software assists supporting strategy development.

Level 3 Strategic Planning Diploma Module Seven – Working with teams – group approach to strategic development

This unit explores the importance of group dynamics within the overall concept of strategic development work;

  • Guidelines for working with teams,
  • Computer supported group workshops,
  • Getting the best from team interaction,
  • Concepts of Brainstorming,
  • Oval Mapping Workshops.

Level 3 Strategic Planning Diploma Module Eight – Maps and Models for Workshops

Workshops form a vital part in the gathering, analysis and dissemination of information for strategic planning. This unit explores the maps and models that support this approach;

  • Guidelines for analysing interview maps,
  • Basic Map analysis,
  • Locating goals and strategic issues,
  • Creating Categories,
  • Developing draft and core options,
  • Analysing maps and computer models,

Level 3 Strategic Planning Diploma Module Nine – Methods of Delivery – Implementing Strategic Concepts

This unit explores how strategic plans are converted to action plans and subsequently rolled out and implemented;

  • Key interlock criteria – Programme and Change Management,
  • Interface to Corporate Planning,
  • Benefits Measurement Criteria,
  • Modularity in strategic planning,
  • Managing Risks and Exposure,
  • Key implementation criteria.

Level 3 Strategic Planning Diploma Module Ten – Concepts of Interlock – integrating strategic planning into the business framework

This unit examines how strategic planning fits into a holistic model within the Corporate architecture;

  • The holistic strategic model,
  • The importance of interlock,
  • Communications in strategic planning,
  • The facilitator – winning hearts and minds Vignettes – Case studies of strategic planning in action.

Progression

This Level 3 Strategic Planning Diploma course can be used to gain entry to a Level 4 Diploma or higher.

Further information on our Level 4 Diplomas can be found here: https://www.oxfordcollege.ac/courses/accredited-level-4-diplomas/