If you work in management or leadership, developing strong strategic thinking, planning and execution skills is crucial to maintaining a sustainable competitive advantage.
The Certificate of Strategic Management is a professional development course that provides the knowledge and skills to make confident strategic decisions and achieve long-term organisational success.
In this online strategic management course, you will learn to analyse both the external and internal business environments and apply key frameworks to identify opportunities and assess competitive advantage. You will also explore market positioning and how to leverage organisational strengths with strategic priorities.
You will explore strategic human resource management and learn how to develop, implement, and monitor strategic plans, including setting financial and customer-focused objectives and measuring performance. You will also learn about sustainability, green strategy, corporate social responsibility, and how to lead strategic change.
On completion of this course, you will feel confident to make strategic decisions and implement plans for long-term organisational success.
Course Structure
Unit - Strategic Management
Unit 1: Introduction to Strategic Management
- Understanding strategic management
- Difference between strategy and strategic management
- Strategic thinking and planning
- Mintzberg’s five p’s of strategy
- Levels of strategic decision-making
- The strategic management process: from vision to execution
- Crafting a clear mission, vision, and core values
- Setting long-term goals and smart objectives
- Action planning and communication strategy
- Implementing and monitoring a strategic plan
Unit 2: External Environment Analysis
- Why environmental analysis matters
- Pestle framework
- Real-world application of pestle analysis
- Competitive rivalry
- Market positioning: standing out from competitors
- Identifying opportunities and threats
- Swot analysis: aligning strengths and weaknesses with external opportunities and threats
- Competitor profiling: tools and techniques
Unit 3: Internal Environment and Competitive Advantage
- Purpose of internal analysis
- Identifying organisational strengths and weaknesses
- VRIO framework – competitive advantage assessment
- McKinsey 7s model – aligning organisational elements
- Value chain analysis – improving operational efficiency
- Portfolio analysis
- Building and sustaining competitive advantage
- Building and sustaining competitive advantage
Unit 4: Strategic Human Resource Management
- Aligning hr with business strategy
- Strategic workforce planning
- Hr audits: assessing workforce capabilities
- Organisational structure and strategic impact
- Organisational culture and strategic success
- Succession planning
Unit 5: Developing a Strategic Plan
- Business-level vs corporate strategy
- Identifying strategic focus areas
- Strategy mapping
- Financial goals
- Customer-centric approaches
- Process improvements
- Learning and growth opportunities
- Selecting the right strategy
- Consistency, suitability and feasibility
- Risk assessment and stakeholder buy-in
- Strategic plan document
Unit 6: Implementing and Controlling Strategy
- Preparing for strategy execution
- Resource allocation and overcoming resource gaps
- The balanced scorecard
- Effective communication
- Evaluating strategy execution
- Corrective action planning
- Strategy monitoring and control
- Organisational controls
Unit 7: Green Strategy
- Introduction to green strategy and sustainability
- Corporate social responsibility (CSR)
- Developing a sustainable business model
- Sustainability challenges
- Sustainability and performance metrics
Unit 8: Leading and Managing Strategic Change
- Leading and managing strategic change
- The need for strategic change
- The importance of strategic change
- Kotter’s 8-step change model
- Lewin’s change management model
- McKinsey 7-s framework for change
- Kübler-Ross change curve
- ADKAR model of change
- Managing resistance to change
- Strategic vs. Operational leadership
- Situational leadership
- Transactional vs transformational leadership
- Contingency theories of leadership
- Path goal theory
- The leadership lifecycle
- Creating sustainable change
- Evaluating change initiatives
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Approval and Recognition
Australian Online Courses Pty Ltd is an approved and recognised member of IARC. The IARC is an International association that recognises quality and excellence in tertiary education providers.
Testimonials
The course was well designed and provided relevant content for me to develop my knowledge and skills.
Emma | Mt Beauty | Certificate of Strategic Management
Thank you for providing a flexible online learning program. The course content was engaging and the assessments were reflective of real-world scenarios. Thank you.
Bethany | Chelmer, QLD | Certificate of Strategic Management
About Us
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrolment Form – Employment Services and Rehabilitation Providers
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and EFT/Direct Deposit. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for EFT and BPAY.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:
- Sales manager




