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 IT Education Association

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

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English
Recently updated!

March 2026

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

 logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Advance your subject-matter expertise

  • Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
  • Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
  • 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: Open Mindset
Category: Cognitive flexibility
Category: Forecasting
Category: Innovation
Category: Decision Making
Category: Strategic Thinking
Category: Stress Management
Category: Creativity
Category: Critical Thinking
Category: Visionary
Category: Problem Solving
Category: Creative Thinking
Category: Brainstorming
Category: Dealing With Ambiguity
Category: Curiosity

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: Data Storytelling
Category: Data Strategy
Category: Analytical Skills
Category: Investigation
Category: Business Research
Category: Data-Driven Decision-Making
Category: Persuasive Communication
Category: Presentations
Category: Problem Solving
Category: Data Analysis
Category: Testability
Category: Data Literacy
Category: Critical Thinking
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: Analytical Skills
Category: Emotional Intelligence
Category: Strategic Decision-Making
Category: Game Theory
Category: Interpersonal Communications
Category: Strategic Communication
Category: Empathy
Category: Cognitive flexibility
Category: Critical Thinking
Category: Conflict Management
Category: Leadership
Category: Influencing
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: Business Strategies
Category: Contingency Planning
Category: Strategic Decision-Making
Category: Analysis
Category: Data-Driven Decision-Making
Category: Forecasting
Category: Trend Analysis
Category: Strategic Thinking
Category: Competitive Analysis
Category: Planning
Category: Data Analysis
Category: Business Planning
Category: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Category: Analytical Skills
Category: Decision Making
Category: Crisis Management
Category: Risk Analysis
Category: Critical Thinking
Category: Dealing With Ambiguity
Category: Case Studies

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

Tyler Galarneau
Arizona State University
31 Courses1,506 learners

Offered by

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."