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SP-027

Strategic Thinking and Planning

Intensive 5-day course · English, Arabic & European languages

Managers and senior professionals work through the 7 steps of strategic management during five days, moving from thinking to planning and execution. Environmental analysis informs vision, mission and competitive choices. Delegates then formulate objectives, KPIs and targets, using practical work to develop or improve their organisation's strategy process.

Classroom

Public courses in our cities

  • 26–30 Oct 2026Jeddah£4,200 + VAT
  • 9–13 Nov 2026Frankfurt£2,600 + VAT
  • 23–27 Nov 2026Muscat£3,080 + VAT
  • 14–18 Dec 2026Barcelona£3,080 + VAT
  • 28 Dec – 1 Jan 2026Manama£3,080 + VAT
  • 4–8 Jan 2027Vienna£3,400 + VAT
Show 23 more dates
  • 18–22 Jan 2027Abu Dhabi£4,200 + VAT
  • 1–5 Feb 2027Barcelona£3,080 + VAT
  • 15–19 Feb 2027Cairo£2,280 + VAT
  • 8–12 Mar 2027Paris£3,600 + VAT
  • 22–26 Mar 2027Jeddah£4,200 + VAT
  • 12–16 Apr 2027Frankfurt£2,600 + VAT
  • 26–30 Apr 2027Singapore£4,200 + VAT
  • 10–14 May 2027Barcelona£3,080 + VAT
  • 24–28 May 2027Muscat£3,080 + VAT
  • 7–11 Jun 2027Vienna£3,400 + VAT
  • 21–25 Jun 2027Casablanca£2,280 + VAT
  • 5–9 Jul 2027Barcelona£3,080 + VAT
  • 19–23 Jul 2027Manama£3,080 + VAT
  • 9–13 Aug 2027Paris£3,600 + VAT
  • 23–27 Aug 2027Amman£3,400 + VAT
  • 13–17 Sep 2027Frankfurt£2,600 + VAT
  • 27 Sep – 1 Oct 2027Madrid£3,400 + VAT
  • 11–15 Oct 2027Barcelona£3,080 + VAT
  • 25–29 Oct 2027Berlin£3,400 + VAT
  • 1–5 Nov 2027Vienna£3,400 + VAT
  • 15–19 Nov 2027Milan£3,400 + VAT
  • 6–10 Dec 2027Barcelona£3,080 + VAT
  • 20–24 Dec 2027Malaga£3,080 + VAT

Group discount: 2 delegates 20% · 3 delegates 35% · 5 or more delegates 50%

Can't make these dates? We can run this course for your team on dates that suit you. Ask for custom dates · In-house options

Online (live)

With a trainer, on dates to suit your team

This course can be taught live online by a trainer, in English, Arabic or any European language, for one person or a whole team.

£1,850 + VAT

Group discount: 2 delegates 20% · 3 delegates 35% · 5 or more delegates 50%

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Course overview

Strategy sets goals and direction using an understanding of present and future conditions. It connects where an organisation is heading with how it will deliver value to stakeholders and customers. Delegates examine the 7-step strategic management process, beginning with strategic thinking, progressing through planning and ending with execution in support of organisational vision and mission.

Analysis precedes choice. The programme uses Porter's 5 forces, SWOT and the PEDESTL framework to examine the surrounding environment and the creation and capture of value. Work on vision and mission statements includes defining, writing and using them alongside organisational values. Competitive strategy sessions address advantage, product and market development and horizontal integration.

Measurement connects strategy with performance. Delegates develop strategic objectives, use the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) and examine different types of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) before setting SMART targets. Practical work covers the development of every strategy management step, while discussions put the main tools and frameworks into use. The work is relevant to those who shape long-term strategy and those who connect, measure and improve organisational performance.

Course objectives

By the end of the course, delegates will be able to:

  1. Distinguish strategic thinking from strategic planning
  2. Analyse the current environment using strategic frameworks
  3. Develop organisational vision and mission statements
  4. Analyse and assess competitive strategy options
  5. Formulate strategic objectives, KPIs and targets

Target competencies

  • Strategic thinking
  • Strategic planning
  • Situation analysis
  • Vision and mission statement development
  • Performance management
  • Results orientation

Who should attend

This course suits:

  • Managers and senior professionals influencing, formulating or supporting long-term departmental or organisational strategy
  • Staff connecting, measuring and improving organisational performance
  • Strategy and performance management professionals
  • Balanced Scorecard managers
  • Business unit and department managers
  • Business analysts

Training methodology

  • Delegates practise developing each step of the strategic management process.
  • The main strategy tools and frameworks are discussed and applied during the sessions.

Daily agenda

  1. Day 1

    Connecting strategic thinking and planning

    • Exploring the range of strategy approaches through a strategy safari
    • Stages of strategic management
    • Distinguishing thinking from planning in strategy
    • Benefits of strategic management
    • Examining common strategy myths
  2. Day 2

    Tools for analysing the environment

    • Applying Porter's 5 forces
    • Creating value and capturing it
    • Carrying out SWOT analysis
    • Basic principles of the PEDESTL framework
    • Approaches to effective strategic analysis
  3. Day 3

    Writing and using vision and mission

    • Applications of vision and mission statements
    • Defining a vision statement
    • Developing vision statements
    • Defining a mission statement
    • Developing mission statements
    • Putting organisational values into practice
  4. Day 4

    Choosing a competitive direction

    • Porter's generic strategies for competition
    • Building competitive advantage
    • Developing products
    • Developing markets
    • Using horizontal integration
  5. Day 5

    Measuring strategy through objectives and targets

    • Aligning strategy throughout the organisation
    • Writing effective strategic objectives
    • Applying the Balanced Scorecard (BSC)
    • Applying Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
    • Developing different indicator types
    • Setting targets using SMART criteria

Certificate

Every delegate who completes the course receives an ARUK Training Certificate of Attendance.

Frequently asked questions

How do I register?

Choose a date and city in the schedule and press Register, or send us an enquiry. Our team confirms your place and sends an invoice.

Are fees shown with VAT?

Fees are shown per delegate and exclude VAT, which is added to the invoice where applicable.

Can this course be delivered for our team only?

Yes. Any ARUK course can be delivered in-house at your premises, in a meeting room we book for you, or 1-to-1.

Is this course available online?

Yes. We run it live online with a trainer, on dates that suit your team, for £1,850 + VAT per delegate.

Is there a group discount?

Yes. 20% for 2 delegates, 35% for 3 delegates and 50% for 5 or more delegates on the same course.

Can the course be delivered in Arabic or another language?

Yes. Our courses can be delivered in English, Arabic or any European language, by a trainer who teaches in that language. Mention your preferred language when you register or enquire.

What certificate will I receive?

An ARUK Training Certificate of Attendance.

Related courses

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Strategic Thinking and Planning

Key booking terms (read before you register)
  • The full fee is paid in advance, before the course starts.
  • Cancel in writing 30 or more days before the start date (45 for in-house) for a refund. Later than that, the full fee is payable.
  • No refund for non-attendance or partial attendance.
  • Places are for the named delegate only; another person cannot attend instead.
  • Moving to another date or city is only possible if ARUK agrees in writing.
  • Travel, accommodation and visas are your responsibility. A refused visa does not change the cancellation terms.

booking terms and conditions

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Strategic Thinking and Planning