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Strategic Thinking

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Planning will get you far, but only if you know what you’re planning for. To think strategically, you need to analyze insights and evaluate possible scenarios before building that strategy. It’s possible to eliminate some uncertainties and identify trends, but you need the right process. You’ll have to gain insights first, and then take a long look at what you have. With all the right information, you can start to make informed decisions about your next steps.

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Planning will get you far, but only if you know what you’re planning for. To think strategically, you need to analyze insights and evaluate possible scenarios before building that strategy. It’s possible to eliminate some uncertainties and identify trends, but you need the right process. You’ll have to gain insights first, and then take a long look at what you have. With all the right information, you can start to make informed decisions about your next steps.

With the expertise of Dr. Timiebi Aganaba from the ASU School for the Future of Innovation in Society, the Strategic Thinking course will put the tools, knowledge and strategies to develop strategies directly into your hands. You’ll learn the fundamentals and get acquainted with your strategic toolkit. Then, you’ll directly apply them in hands-on scenarios.

Strategic thinking involves more than just coming up with a plan: You need to analyze the world around you. The trends and uncertainties that influence your situation will help you come to a decision and plan for scenarios ahead of time — skills that anyone can learn and apply anywhere. Take the next step of your strategic thinking journey today!

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What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to Strategic Thinking!
Scenario planning via case studies
Outthinking potential problems
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Evaluating possible scenarios
Developing strategies
Course Conclusion

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides strategies, tools, and knowledge to develop strategic thinking
Useful for anyone who wants to improve their strategic thinking skills in any field
Instructor is an expert in strategic thinking from ASU School for the Future of Innovation in Society
Applies strategic thinking to real-world scenarios through hands-on exercises
Covers a wide range of topics, from analyzing insights to developing strategies

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Activities

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Career center

Learners who complete Strategic Thinking will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Management Consultant
Management Consultants advise businesses on how to improve their operations. They also develop and implement solutions to business problems. This course may be useful for Management Consultants who wish to develop their strategic thinking skills and learn how to think critically about business issues.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers develop marketing strategies and oversee their implementation. They also conduct market research, develop advertising campaigns, and manage marketing budgets. This course may be useful for Marketing Managers who wish to develop their strategic thinking skills and learn how to make informed decisions about their marketing strategies.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts gather and analyze data to identify business needs and develop solutions. They also work with stakeholders to define requirements and manage projects. This course may be useful for Business Analysts who wish to develop their strategic thinking skills and learn how to evaluate possible scenarios and develop strategies.
Product Manager
Product Managers develop and manage products. They also conduct market research, define product requirements, and manage product development teams. This course may be useful for Product Managers who wish to develop their strategic thinking skills and learn how to analyze insights and evaluate possible scenarios.
Chief Technology Officer
Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) are responsible for the technology strategy and operations of an organization. They also lead teams of engineers and IT professionals. This course may be useful for CTOs who wish to develop their strategic thinking skills and learn how to make informed decisions about technology investments.
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) are responsible for the overall strategy and operations of an organization. They also lead teams of executives and employees. This course may be useful for CEOs who wish to develop their strategic thinking skills and learn how to make informed decisions about the future of their organization.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts analyze financial data to identify investment opportunities and make recommendations to clients. They also develop financial models and provide investment advice. This course may be useful for Financial Analysts who wish to develop their strategic thinking skills and learn how to evaluate possible scenarios and make informed investment decisions.
Strategy Consultant
Strategy Consultants advise businesses on how to develop and implement strategies to achieve their goals. They also work with stakeholders to define objectives and manage projects. This course may be useful for Strategy Consultants who wish to develop their strategic thinking skills and learn how to think critically about business issues.
Market Research Analyst
Market Research Analysts conduct market research to understand customer needs and preferences. They also develop marketing strategies and advertising campaigns. This course may be useful for Market Research Analysts who wish to develop their strategic thinking skills and learn how to analyze insights and evaluate possible scenarios.
Systems Analyst
Systems Analysts design and implement computer systems. They also work with users to define requirements and manage system development projects. This course may be useful for Systems Analysts who wish to develop their strategic thinking skills and learn how to evaluate possible scenarios and develop system designs.
Operations Research Analyst
Operations Research Analysts develop and apply mathematical models to solve business problems. They also analyze data and make recommendations to improve efficiency and productivity. This course may be useful for Operations Research Analysts who wish to develop their strategic thinking skills and learn how to analyze insights and evaluate possible scenarios.
Technical Writer
Technical Writers create documentation for technical products and services. They also work with engineers and other technical professionals to ensure that documentation is accurate and easy to understand. This course may be useful for Technical Writers who wish to develop their strategic thinking skills and learn how to analyze insights and evaluate possible scenarios.
Urban Planner
Urban Planners develop plans and policies for the development and use of land. They also work with stakeholders to define objectives and manage planning projects. This course may be useful for Urban Planners who wish to develop their strategic thinking skills and learn how to think critically about land use issues.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists use data to solve business problems. They also develop and deploy machine learning models. This course may be useful for Data Scientists who wish to develop their strategic thinking skills and learn how to analyze insights and evaluate possible scenarios.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. They also work with users to define requirements and manage software development projects. This course may be useful for Software Engineers who wish to develop their strategic thinking skills and learn how to evaluate possible scenarios and develop software designs.

Reading list

We've selected 15 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Strategic Thinking.
Provides a clear and concise framework for developing good strategy, including the importance of having a clear goal, a sound plan, and a way to track your progress.
Provides a comprehensive overview of strategic thinking, including the importance of understanding the external environment, developing a clear vision and mission, and creating a plan to achieve your goals.
Provides a step-by-step guide to developing a winning strategy, including how to identify your target market, develop a competitive advantage, and execute your plan.
Provides a contrarian view of innovation, arguing that the best way to build a successful business is to create a new product or service that no one else has.
Provides a practical guide to getting customers for your startup, including the importance of creating a compelling value proposition and marketing your product or service effectively.
Provides a framework for marketing and selling technology products to mainstream customers, including the importance of understanding the different types of customers and the different strategies that are needed to reach them.
Provides a deeper dive into the concept of disruptive innovation, and how it can be used to create new products and services that meet the needs of underserved customers.
Provides a framework for strategic management, including the importance of understanding your competitors, developing a unique value proposition, and creating a sustainable competitive advantage.
Provides a guide to creating a lean enterprise, which business that is responsive to customer demand and is able to innovate quickly and effectively.
Provides a framework for understanding how new technologies can disrupt established businesses, and how to avoid this fate.
Provides a practical guide to building a successful startup, including the importance of testing your ideas early and often and being willing to pivot when necessary.
Provides a framework for developing the five skills of disruptive innovators, which are: associating, questioning, observing, experimenting, and networking.
Provides a framework for building a learning organization, which is an organization that is able to learn and adapt to change quickly and effectively.
Provides a classic perspective on strategic thinking, emphasizing the importance of understanding the environment, identifying opportunities, and developing strategies. It valuable resource for those who want to learn more about the fundamentals of strategic thinking.

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