Arizona State University

Professional Skills: Strategic Thinking Specialization

Arizona State University

Professional Skills: Strategic Thinking Specialization

Make Future-Ready Choices in Complex Environments.

Equip yourself with skills in planning, modeling, and evaluation to navigate growth and change.

Tyler Galarneau

Instructor: Tyler Galarneau

Access provided by Emirates Water & Electricity Co.

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
Beginner level
No prior experience required
4 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
Beginner level
No prior experience required
4 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Evaluate and apply strategic planning models, including SWOT analyses, to real challenges

  • Build strategies that respond to trends, risks, and unknowns

  • Use logic modeling to anticipate competitor and stakeholder behavior

  • Develop and defend strategic recommendations with data-driven insights

Details to know

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Taught in English
Recently updated!

March 2026

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  • Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
  • Earn a career certificate from Arizona State University

Specialization - 4 course series

Professional Skills: Futures Thinking

Professional Skills: Futures Thinking

Course 1, 4 hours

What you'll learn

  • Identify and challenge your mental frames to foster innovative thinking.

  • Develop and evaluate high-quality questions to uncover critical insights.

  • Harness imagination to construct compelling future scenarios and regain control over future uncertainties.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Creativity
Category: Forecasting
Category: Strategic Thinking
Category: Creative Thinking
Category: Brainstorming
Category: Problem Solving
Category: Critical Thinking
Category: Open Mindset
Category: Cognitive flexibility
Category: Stress Management
Category: Innovation
Category: Visionary
Category: Decision Making
Category: Curiosity
Category: Dealing With Ambiguity

What you'll learn

  • Collect and vet data effectively against a hypothesis

  • Retain key insights from collected data

  • Share new insights from data through compelling narratives

Skills you'll gain

Category: Critical Thinking
Category: Presentations
Category: Testability
Category: Persuasive Communication
Category: Data-Driven Decision-Making
Category: Data Analysis
Category: Problem Solving
Category: Investigation
Category: Data Storytelling
Category: Business Research
Category: Analytical Skills
Category: Data Literacy
Category: Data Strategy
Professional Skills: Perspective-Taking

Professional Skills: Perspective-Taking

Course 3, 3 hours

What you'll learn

  • Actively listen to understand and appreciate diverse perspectives to foster empathy.

  • Utilize influence effectively to make compelling appeals and encourage desired outcomes.

  • Apply logic models and game theory principles to discover and evaluate various options in complex scenarios.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Cognitive flexibility
Category: Analytical Skills
Category: Game Theory
Category: Emotional Intelligence
Category: Critical Thinking
Category: Influencing
Category: Interpersonal Communications
Category: Strategic Communication
Category: Conflict Management
Category: Empathy
Category: Strategic Decision-Making
Category: Leadership
Professional Skills: Strategic Planning

Professional Skills: Strategic Planning

Course 4, 4 hours

What you'll learn

  • Plan for future possibilities using case studies and insights.

  • Anticipate and outthink potential problems by analyzing major issue factors.

  • Evaluate possible scenarios using strategic tools like SWOT analysis.

  • Develop robust strategies by forming them based on core values.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Case Studies
Category: Analysis
Category: Forecasting
Category: Contingency Planning
Category: Strategic Thinking
Category: Strategic Decision-Making
Category: Risk Analysis
Category: Business Strategies
Category: Data Analysis
Category: Business Planning
Category: Data-Driven Decision-Making
Category: Critical Thinking
Category: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Category: Planning
Category: Analytical Skills
Category: Competitive Analysis
Category: Trend Analysis
Category: Dealing With Ambiguity
Category: Decision Making
Category: Crisis Management

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Instructor

Tyler Galarneau
Arizona State University
31 Courses1,679 learners

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