Avoid the pitfalls of strategy planning and execution with the tools and skills from this course. In this course, developed at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia and taught by top-ranked faculty, you'll learn the pillars of strategy execution--analysis, formulation, and implementation--and how to use the 4A model to effectively approach strategy execution. Finally, a panel of leaders from entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and industry, share their expertise gleaned from years of successful strategy planning and execution.
This course is part of the Business Strategy Specialization
Offered By
Business Strategy SpecializationUniversity of VirginiaAbout this Course
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Learner Career Outcomes
50%
started a new career after completing these courses
33%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
12%
got a pay increase or promotion
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
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Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Course 4 of 5 in the
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Approx. 11 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: French, Portuguese (Brazilian), Vietnamese, Russian, English, Spanish
What you will learn
How to connect strategic analysis to strategy execution using hypothesis testing to unearth key assumptions and assess their validity
Four different approaches to strategy formulation and how governance ties into effective strategy formulation
Use the 4A Model for effective strategy execution to ensure appropriate human and organizational resources are in place
Tips from industry experts for successful strategy development and execution
Skills you will gain
Strategy ImplementationStrategy FormulationBusiness StrategyBusiness hypothesis testing
Learner Career Outcomes
50%
started a new career after completing these courses
33%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
12%
got a pay increase or promotion
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Course 4 of 5 in the
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Approx. 11 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: French, Portuguese (Brazilian), Vietnamese, Russian, English, Spanish
Offered by
University of Virginia
A premier institution of higher education, The University of Virginia offers outstanding academics, world-class faculty, and an inspiring, supportive environment. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University is guided by his vision of discovery, innovation, and development of the full potential of students from all walks of life. Through these courses, global learners have an opportunity to study with renowned scholars and thought leaders.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
2 hours to complete
Strategy Analysis
This week, you'll connect strategic analysis to strategy execution. You'll walk through a series of questions to frame your analysis and ground your approach using the strategist's toolkit--and you'll learn a new tool, Hypothesis Testing, to unearth key assumptions related to choosing a strategy and assessing the validity of those assumptions. You'll also review data sources and how to "make the data speak" to guide your strategy decisions.
2 hours to complete
8 videos (Total 40 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
8 videos
Strategic Analysis3m
Strategic Analysis: Steps 1-34m
Strategic Analysis: Step 45m
Strategist'sToolkit: Hypothesis Testing4m
Strategy Research8m
Strategy Analytics7m
Module Lessons1m
2 readings
Course Overview & Requirements10m
Get to Know Your Classmates in Discussion Forums10m
1 practice exercise
Strategy Analysis40m
2 hours to complete
Strategy Formulation
This week you'll learn about how strategy gets set and implemented in organizations. You'll discuss factors key to effective strategy formulation--and common challenges and pitfalls of strategy execution. You'll explore four different approaches to strategy formulation and how governance ties into effective strategy formulation.
2 hours to complete
11 videos (Total 71 min)
11 videos
Strategy in Organizations7m
Strategy Formulation: The Strategic War Room7m
Strategy Formulation: Rapid Prototyping4m
Strategy Formulation: Design Thinking6m
Strategy Formulation: Business Model Canvas7m
Corporate Governance8m
The Human Factor9m
Common Strategy Execution Mistakes7m
Key Strategy Execution Questions4m
Module Lessons4m
1 practice exercise
Strategy Formulation40m
2 hours to complete
Strategy Implementation
We welcome Professor Scott Snell to the course this week! He's a global specialist in strategy execution, and he shares his 4A Model for effective strategy execution: alignment, ability, agility, and architecture. This framework will help you ensure the human and organizational resources are in place to effectively execute your strategy.
2 hours to complete
13 videos (Total 88 min)
13 videos
The 4A Model of Strategy Execution7m
Introduction to Alignment6m
Achieving Alignment8m
Introduction to Ability9m
Investing in Talent9m
Introduction to Architecture6m
How Architecture Drives Performance8m
Architecture Best Practices4m
Introduction to Agility6m
Agility through Organizational Learning6m
Agility through Unity and Fluidity5m
Module Lessons2m
1 practice exercise
Strategy Implementation40m
5 hours to complete
Practical Perspectives
This week we welcome guest speakers from a range of industries, from startups to nonprofits, to share their expertise from years of successful strategy development and execution. They'll communicate their best tips to help you develop your strategist's toolkit. We're also fortunate to be joined by Darden's Dean Scott Beardsley, whose 26 years with McKinsey informs the concrete tips he shares to improve strategy development and execution.
5 hours to complete
14 videos (Total 87 min)
14 videos
Shannon Smith, CEO Abundant Power2m
Byrne Murphy, DigiPlex9m
Carolyn Miles, Save the Children8m
Rick Edmunds, Strategy& PwC10m
Bob Hugin, Celgene7m
Rick Paschal, Darden '895m
Sunil Ghatnekar, The Coca-Cola Company2m
Jerry Peng, Tranlin, Inc.10m
Dean Scott Beardsley: Background2m
Dean Scott Beardsley: Perspective14m
Dean Scott Beardsley: Process6m
Dean Scott Beardsley: Advice4m
Conclusion38s
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM STRATEGIC PLANNING AND EXECUTION
by SOct 30, 2019
I must recommend this to those who want to understand the Strategy Planning and its Execution. This course helps them a lot to understand the basic structure of developing a strategy.
by JIApr 14, 2020
This was a good course, and though challenging to do for an online course - I really enjoyed the final assignment. It really helped tie all of the ideas and course content together.
by TKSep 8, 2020
Amazing to see all the sharings from different successful people starting from all those CEOs, chairman, CFO, dean. All great to listen and understand more of real life experiences
by KBJun 29, 2020
A decent course. Though, this course didn't have any frameworks to learn. Also, this course was mostly theory, void of practical knowledge this time. Still a good enough course.
About the Business Strategy Specialization
This Specialization covers both the dynamics and the global aspects of strategic management. You'll learn how to evaluate industry evolution, build and sustain competitive advantage, formulate and assess business strategies, and align efforts to organizational strategy. In the final Capstone Project, you’ll apply your skills by creating a comprehensive Strategic Analysis for an existing business or a venture of your own.
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