What is strategic management?

Strategic management is the process business leaders use when creating goals and planning how to allocate resources to achieve those goals for their organization. It involves exploring both internal processes from within the organization and external factors, such as the role competition plays in the success or failure of a company. This type of management is a holistic approach that combines classic top-level managerial thinking with the application of modern theories and processes. It's a growing specialty field, with the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) expecting the field to grow at about 11% per year through 2029 , which is much faster than average.

What does learning strategic management enable me to do next?

Learning strategic management creates a number of career options for you. If you want to start your own business, it provides you with an understanding of how to gain insights that can help your business succeed. If you want to use your expertise to move up at a job you already have, you can present your certifications and show your new skills to your boss by sharing insights based on strategic management principles. If entering a new field is your goal, learning about this type of management ensures you have the know-how and skills to succeed on the job.

How can taking online courses on Coursera help me learn strategic management?

Taking online courses on Coursera can help you learn strategic management by providing you with the opportunity to engage in planning and decision-making sessions through case studies and regular coursework. When you engage in strategy sessions and learn to use tools, such as SWOT analysis, to explore a company's competitive advantage and weaknesses, you gain insights about how a company might make changes in order to increase success. Then, you build on early learning from your courses to learn how to increase decision-making skills and how to develop a growth strategy.

What skills or experience do I need to already have, before starting to learn strategic management?

Before starting to learn strategic management, you need to have strong reading and math skills due to the information you need to understand throughout the course. You need analytical skills to process the information and turn it into something you can apply to each course assignment. You also need to have at least introductory-level leadership skills to build on throughout the time you're studying, while you learn how to manage and inspire others to apply the goals you set and the decisions you make.

What are the benefits of taking an online Strategic Management course?

Online Strategic Management courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Strategic Management skills. Choose from a wide range of Strategic Management courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Strategic Management courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Strategic Management, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Best Strategic Management Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Strategic Management Course Catalog

Copenhagen Business School
Strategic Management
Skills you'll gain: Strategic Thinking, Business Strategy, Business Strategies, Strategic Decision-Making, Organizational Strategy, Business Transformation, Strategic Marketing, Corporate Strategy, Technology Strategies, Competitive Analysis, Global Marketing, Consumer Behaviour
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.4K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Copenhagen Business School
Strategic Management and Innovation
Skills you'll gain: Business Strategy, Business Planning, Strategic Decision-Making, Plan Execution, Goal Setting, Organizational Strategy, Strategic Thinking, Resource Management, Peer Review, Competitive Analysis, Strategic Leadership, Innovation, Organizational Structure, Project Implementation, Market Analysis, Risk Analysis, Change Management, Business Strategies, Business Management, Business
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
5.1K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
University of London
Corporate Strategy
Skills you'll gain: Corporate Strategy, Business Strategy, Organizational Strategy, Strategic Decision-Making, Business, Mergers & Acquisitions, Growth Strategies, New Business Development, Business Valuation, Resource Allocation, Analysis, Consolidation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.7K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Strategic Leadership and Management
Skills you'll gain: Business Strategy, Organizational Change, Stakeholder Management, Organizational Structure, Corporate Strategy, Governance, Organizational Strategy, Team Building, Strategic Leadership, Conflict Management, Leadership Development, Organizational Leadership, Business Management, Organizational Effectiveness, Business Ethics, Team Management, Change Management, Decision Making, Organizational Development, Teamwork
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
9.8K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
IE Business School
Foundations of Strategy
Skills you'll gain: Competitive Analysis, Business Strategy, Economics, Market Dynamics, Business Economics, Strategic Thinking, Market Analysis, Organizational Strategy, Resource Management
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
177 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Dartmouth College
Strategic Leadership: Impact, Change, and Decision-Making
Skills you'll gain: Decision Making, Creativity, Talent Management, Communication, Innovation, Strategic Decision-Making, Personal Development, Interpersonal Communications, Professional Networking, Collaboration, Leadership Development, Organizational Effectiveness, Leadership and Management, Self-Awareness, Business Leadership, Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Organizational Leadership, Critical Thinking, Business Ethics
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
603 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
IIMA - IIM Ahmedabad
Strategy and Game Theory for Management
Skills you'll gain: Strategic Thinking, Game Theory, Behavioral Economics, Business Strategy, Strategic Decision-Making, Complex Problem Solving, Business, Decision Making, Market Dynamics, Organizational Change, Economics, Digital Transformation, Negotiation, Mergers & Acquisitions, Innovation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
99 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Fundação Instituto de Administração
Strategic Management
Skills you'll gain: Strategic Decision-Making, Competitive Analysis, Organizational Strategy, Business Strategy, Strategic Leadership, Strategic Planning, Strategic Thinking, Corporate Sustainability, Market Analysis, Business Analysis, Supply Chain Management, Supplier Management, Business Risk Management, Continuous Monitoring
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
13 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Virginia
Business Strategy
Skills you'll gain: Growth Strategies, Business Strategy, Strategic Thinking, Plan Execution, Business Strategies, Mergers & Acquisitions, Competitive Analysis, Organizational Strategy, Strategic Planning, Business Ethics, Peer Review, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Business Development, Business Planning, Corporate Strategy, Strategic Leadership, Strategic Decision-Making, Governance, Business Research, Project Management
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
4.4K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of Virginia
Strategic Planning and Execution
Skills you'll gain: Plan Execution, Organizational Strategy, Business Strategy, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Business Planning, Strategic Leadership, Strategic Decision-Making, Strategic Thinking, Governance, Analysis, Business Analysis, Competitive Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
813 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New AI skills
Google
Google Project Management:
Skills you'll gain: Quality Management, Scope Management, Project Scoping, Project Closure, Project Management, Project Management Life Cycle, Project Planning, Continuous Improvement Process, Agile Project Management, Process Improvement, Quality Monitoring, Backlogs, Team Management, Project Documentation, Agile Methodology, Communication Planning, Project Risk Management, Change Management, Milestones (Project Management), Organizational Structure
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
127K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Vanderbilt University
ChatGPT for Project Management - Leveraging AI for Success
Skills you'll gain: ChatGPT, Project Planning, Generative AI, Risk Analysis, Timelines, Project Risk Management, Project Schedules, Project Management, Artificial Intelligence, Project Implementation, Project Documentation, Taking Meeting Minutes, Work Breakdown Structure, Business Metrics, Workflow Management, Performance Measurement, Creative Thinking, Creativity, Brainstorming, Natural Language Processing
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.6K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months