Strategic Thinking from Coursera

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!

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to Strategic Thinking!

Scenario planning via case studies

Outthinking potential problems

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

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Strategic Thinking with these activities:

Review Porter's Five Forces

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Porter's Five Forces is a cornerstone of the strategic thinking landscape. Reviewing this foundational concept will deepen your understanding of assessing external factors in your industry.

View HBR at 100: The Most Influential and Innovative... on Amazon

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Read Chapters 1 and 2
Summarize the 5 Forces
Apply the framework to a familiar strategic case

Competitive Analysis Tutorial

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Competitive analysis is an essential component of any strategic thinking process. This tutorial will guide you through best practices and provide real-world examples.

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Watch the tutorial videos
Complete the practice exercises
Apply the techniques to your own strategic project

Strategic Thinking Case Study

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Applying strategic thinking to real-world situations is crucial. This peer session will challenge you to analyze a complex case study and develop effective recommendations.

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Review the case study materials
Participate in the online discussion forum
Develop a strategic analysis and recommendations

Five other activities

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SWOT Analysis Presentation

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To effectively implement strategic thinking, you need to be able to communicate your ideas clearly. This activity will give you an opportunity to develop a professional presentation based on a SWOT analysis.

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Choose a company and conduct a SWOT analysis
Design and create your presentation
Practice your presentation and receive feedback

Contribute to Open Source

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Strategic thinking is not just about business. Contributing to open source projects can help you refine your technical skills, understand best practices, and build a personal brand.

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Choose an open source project
Learn the project's guidelines
Contribute code, fix bugs, or document features

Strategic Thinking Challenge

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Test your strategic thinking skills against other participants in this online challenge. This is a great way to identify areas for improvement and connect with like-minded individuals.

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Register for the challenge
Solve the strategic thinking problems
Submit your solutions

Strategic Thinking Workshop

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Immerse yourself in an environment dedicated to developing strategic thinking. This in-person workshop will provide you with expert guidance and a platform to network with other professionals.

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Attend the workshop sessions
Participate in group exercises
Develop a personal strategic plan

Mentor Junior Strategy Consultants

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Reinforce your strategic thinking skills by mentoring junior consultants. Guidance and experience gained both personally and professionally will be invaluable in your own professional development.

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Sign up as a mentor
Meet with your mentees regularly
Provide guidance on strategic thinking and problem solving

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer