Certificate in Strategic Thinking & Planning

The Certificate in Strategic Thinking & Planning course is an intensive professional training designed to equip executives and senior managers with practical strategy skills. It focuses on strategic thinking, analysis models, and the link between business vision and operational decisions.

The course develops confidence in applying strategy frameworks to real-world organisational challenges.

Download the course brochure for details.

You will learn to understand strategic thinking concepts, apply various tools and frameworks, translate strategic intentions into actionable operational plans, and adapt strategies to changing external environments. The course also introduces a strategist’s checklist and explores the implications of AI on strategic planning.

These learnings are supported by interactive sessions and case studies to enhance practical skills.

The course employs a mix of theory and practical, interactive learning, including group discussions and individual exercises. It covers multiple frameworks such as Porter’s Five Forces, Balanced Scorecard, STEEPLE analysis, and the 7s Framework.

The Balanced Scorecard Institute’s certified methodology supports strategy formulation, execution, and performance measurement.

This course is ideal for executives, senior managers, business unit leaders, regional heads, and strategic planning professionals. It suits individuals seeking a fundamental or refresher understanding of strategic thinking, from beginners to experienced strategists. Anyone involved in shaping or implementing organisational strategy will benefit significantly.

Successful participants who attend all sessions and pass the end-of-course assessment with at least 70% will receive a globally recognised certification from the Balanced Scorecard Institute. Those who do not meet the full certification criteria will be awarded a Certificate of Attendance from Informa Connect Academy.

Download the course brochure for full details on certification requirements.

There are no formal prerequisites, as the course covers strategic thinking from a foundational to advanced level. It is designed both for those with no prior experience and for professionals seeking an intensive refresher. This inclusive approach ensures all delegates gain relevant and applicable knowledge.

The course is delivered through a highly interactive format combining theory with practical exercises. Sessions include group discussions, case studies, and exercises to develop strategic skills. It is available both in-person and online, allowing for flexible access depending on your location or preference.

The course duration and schedule details are provided by Informa Connect Academy upon registration. It generally spans multiple sessions, ensuring comprehensive coverage of strategic concepts and practical application. For scheduling and pricing information, download the course brochure or contact Informa Connect Academy directly.

Practical activities include case studies from various industries, group exercises, and the use of AI tools for developing strategic proposals. These activities foster critical thinking and collaboration, enabling delegates to apply concepts immediately within their organisations. This hands-on approach enhances learning retention and real-world relevance.

Course fees cover comprehensive documentation, including course materials, luncheon, and refreshments for in-person learners. Virtual participants receive soft copies of materials. Additionally, delegates benefit from expert guidance and access to proven strategic frameworks and models for ongoing application.

Download the course brochure for full details on included resources.

Informa Connect Academy is a global provider of certified professional training, offering expert-led courses in leadership, finance, HR, strategy, and more. As part of the FTSE 100-listed Informa Group, we deliver 1,000+ courses annually across in-person, live online, and digital formats, helping professionals and organisations upskill with confidence.

Informa Connect Academy delivers training across 15+ key sectors, including:

• Finance & Risk

• Human Resources

• Project Management

• Energy & Sustainability

• Maritime & Transport

• Technology & Innovation

• Leadership & Strategy

• Law, Procurement & Supply Chain

Each course is industry-relevant and globally certified, helping professionals upskill with practical tools for career growth.

Explore programmes by sector in our course catalogue or calendar.

Informa Connect Academy offers 1,000+ certified training programmes across in-person, live online, and on-demand formats. Courses cover leadership, finance, HR, strategy, operations, and more with CPD-accredited and university-backed options. Whether you're seeking flexible online learning or immersive classroom sessions in cities like Dubai, London, or Singapore, there’s a format to suit every schedule and career stage.

Our courses are led by senior certified trainers and former C-suite leaders with 15–30+ years of real-world experience. Faculty members are experts in their field, often working across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. You’ll find bios and credentials for each trainer on the brochure, so you know exactly who’s leading your session before enrolling.

Yes, this course is certified by the Balanced Scorecard Institute and the Center for Excellence in Public Leadership, George Washington University. Most Informa Connect Academy courses are CPD-accredited or delivered in partnership with globally recognised organisations, including CIPD, PMI, NASBA, EFQM, WorldatWork, and DMI.

These accreditations ensure that our programmes meet international training standards and support your professional development goals.

You can view the full list of accreditation and academic partners on our website.

Within the Certificate in Strategic Thinking & Planning, strategic planning is understood as a five-stage leadership discipline, not a one-off exercise:

• Strategic Awareness: Understanding the external environment, internal capabilities, and strategic challenges shaping the organisation’s future.
• Strategic Choice: Making deliberate decisions about where to compete, how to win, and what not to pursue.
• Strategy Design: Translating choices into a coherent strategy—clear objectives, priorities, and strategic themes.
• Strategy Execution Planning: Converting strategy into initiatives, milestones, resources, and accountability.
• Monitoring, Learning & Adaptation: Reviewing progress, learning from results, and adjusting strategy as conditions change.

The course focuses heavily on bridging the gap between strategic thinking and practical planning, where many strategies fail.

The programme breaks strategic planning into seven applied steps leaders can use immediately:

• Clarify Purpose & Direction: Define mission, vision, and long-term intent.
• Analyse the Strategic Environment: Examine industry forces, trends, risks, competitors, and internal strengths.
• Identify Strategic Issues & Choices: Pinpoint the few critical challenges that truly matter.
• Formulate Strategic Options: Explore alternative paths and growth scenarios.
• Select Strategic Priorities: Decide where to focus resources and leadership attention.
• Develop the Strategic Plan: Translate priorities into goals, initiatives, timelines, and responsibilities.
• Review, Measure & Refine: Track outcomes and continuously improve strategic direction.

Participants leave the course with a repeatable planning process, not just theory.

The course highlights seven essential elements that must work together for a strategy to succeed:

• Vision & Strategic Intent
• Strategic Objectives
• Environmental & Organisational Analysis
• Strategic Choices & Trade-offs
• Strategic Initiatives
• Performance Measures & Targets
• Governance & Review Mechanisms

A key emphasis of the course is ensuring these elements are aligned and integrated, rather than developed in isolation.

Drawing from established strategic thinking frameworks, the course explains the 5 P’s as complementary lenses:

• Plan – A deliberate set of actions to achieve goals
• Ploy – Tactical moves to gain advantage
• Pattern – Consistency in decisions over time
• Position – Where the organisation competes in the market
• Perspective – The mindset and assumptions shaping strategy

The course helps leaders recognise which “P” dominates their organisation and how to balance them for better decision-making.

The Certificate in Strategic Thinking & Planning teaches a practical, leader-ready approach to building a strategic plan:

You start by clarifying direction, then rigorously analysing your environment and internal capabilities. From there, you identify the few strategic choices that will create the greatest impact, translate those into clear priorities and initiatives, and finally design a plan that can be executed, measured, and adapted over time.

Crucially, the course emphasises:

• Strategic thinking before planning
• Making explicit choices and trade-offs
• Ensuring plans are actionable, not aspirational
• Building alignment across leadership and teams

By the end of the programme, participants are equipped to lead strategic planning conversations with confidence, not just contribute slides.