Mastering strategy for organisational
transformation: Essential components
of agile strategy design

Online course

What you will learn

Course tutors

More information

What you will learn

Course tutors

More information

COURSE OVERVIEW

Research and industry practice consistently show that strategic plans break down when essential components are missing, resource links are unclear, and stakeholders interpret direction differently.

Organisations often have strong ideas that never gain traction, not because they are wrong, but because they are disconnected, fragmented, or difficult to communicate across teams.

This course provides a structured, practical approach to strategy design. It helps you to build strategy that has a clear vision, balances competing initiatives, and, critically, is consensus-driven among stakeholders to ensure it is both actionable and impactful.

WHAT DOES THE COURSE DO?

This online course will take you through an agile, step-by-step approach to developing strategy. Utilising the Cambridge-developed fast-start strategic roadmapping framework, you will learn how to design robust strategy using the same practical methods applied by leading organisations worldwide.

You will learn how to:

- Ensure structural integrity: Make sure you have considered the fundamental pillars of strategy: Why do we need to act/change?, what appropriate steps/initiatives must we take?, how would we do/deliver them?, and when should we do/deliver them?
- Apply strategic tools: Gain experience with complementary strategy tools, including scenario planning, core-competence assessment, and the TOWS Matrix (for SWOT analysis).
- Secure cross-functional buy-in: Create alignment across teams through shared language, visual structure, and collaborative design.
- Turn complexity into direction: Reduce complexity into clear, shared, persuasive strategic narratives that guides clear decisions and action

UPCOMING IN-PERSON COURSES

Register interest or suggest additional dates – be notified when new dates are announced, or tell us what would be the best date range for you

Online course

We also deliver an online roadmapping course, which provides a thorough introduction to strategic roadmapping.

COURSE OVERVIEW

Research and industry practice consistently show that strategic plans break down when essential components are missing, resource links are unclear, and stakeholders interpret direction differently.

Organisations often have strong ideas that never gain traction, not because they are wrong, but because they are disconnected, fragmented, or difficult to communicate across teams.

This course provides a structured, practical approach to strategy design. It helps you to build strategy that has a clear vision, balances competing initiatives, and, critically, is consensus-driven among stakeholders to ensure it is both actionable and impactful.

WHAT DOES THE COURSE DO?

This online course will take you through an agile, step-by-step approach to developing strategy. Utilising the Cambridge-developed fast-start strategic roadmapping framework, you will learn how to design robust strategy using the same practical methods applied by leading organisations worldwide.

You will learn how to:

- Build structural integrity: Use a repeatable framework to answer the four fundamental pillars of any strategy: Why do we need to act? What initiatives must we take? How do we deliver them? And when?
- Explore a strategic toolkit: Gain experience with complimentary strategy tools, including scenario planning, core-competence assessment, and the TOWS Matrix (for SWOT analysis).
- Secure cross-functional buy-in: Create alignment across teams through shared language, visual structure, and collaborative design.
- Turn complexity into direction: Reduce complexity into clear, shared, persuasive strategic narratives that guides clear decisions and action

UPCOMING COURSES

Register interest or suggest additional dates – be notified when new dates are announced, or tell us what would be the best date range for you

Online course

We also deliver an online roadmapping course, which provides a thorough introduction to strategic roadmapping.

A Challenge-Agnostic Method

All strong strategies share the same essential design components. Because this framework (roadmapping) focuses on the core elements of strategy creation, it can be applied to a broad range of contexts, including:

Sustainability & Net-Zero strategy
Digital transformation & AI integration
Workforce and capability planning
Innovation and technology management
Infrastructure and asset strategy
Cross-organisation collaboration
Product and service development

During the course you will get first-hand insights, experience the tools and gain valuable feedback from Cambridge experts, with decades of strategy and roadmapping experience, and leave with a practical strategic framework to transform the way you plan for the future.

WHAT IS ROADMAPPING?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JxsSHjyJPc

What is roadmapping and how can it benefit your organisation? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JxsSHjyJPc)

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

By the end of the course you will be able to:

1. Describe the essential components required for creating structurally sound collaborative strategy maps.
2. Identify and engage with stakeholders to develop a concise, shared strategic narrative which improves communication, alignment and builds strategic buy-in.
3. Construct an example strategy through guided application of the ‘Fast-Start’ approach to roadmapping framework including collecting, analysing and connecting information.
4. Develop an outline strategy roadmap related to an area of interest in your organisation with support from the tutors.
5. Extend your learning beyond the course to undertake a rapid approach to strategy formulation in your function / organisation.

WHAT YOU WILL TAKE AWAY

This is an applied, results-oriented course. You will leave with:

- The IfM Roadmapping framework: A suite of proven tools, templates and methods to apply immediately in your organisation.
- The “Fast-Start” Framework: A scalable method that has been proven across different organisational and industry contexts, i.e., from small businesses to multinationals across multiple sectors
- Research-Backed Credibility: An approach built on 20+ years of University of Cambridge research and 1,000+ industrial applications.
- A University of Cambridge IfM Engage digital badge and certificate of attendance.

WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?

The course is suitable for those involved in developing and / or influencing strategy. Due to the active learning nature of the course, it is equally suitable for those who are new to strategy development or who have a range of experience and are looking for a new approach and perspective.

Designed for both leaders and specialists who are responsible for the long-term direction of their organisation or business units and are tired of heavy strategy documents.

Particularly valuable for:

Strategy and planning specialists
Operational and technical leaders
Transformation and programme managers
HR and workforce leaders
Innovation and technology managers
Cross-functional leaders and coordinators

THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE

An immersive, live online programme delivered over two weeks (15–20 hours total). Through a series of half-day sessions, you will move quickly from theory to practice via:

- Tutor-Led Sessions: Expert instruction on strategy and integrating the roadmapping framework.
- Peer Collaboration: Interactive breakout work learning with a global cohort.
- Guided Application: Individual feedback on building a draft roadmap.

ON COURSE COMPLETION

You will receive a digital certificate and digital badge on completion of the course, issued through our partner Accredible. These allow you to present a trustworthy record of your learning to anyone at any time, shared via LinkedIn, social media or other links as you wish. The certificate and badge demonstrate that the course has met the University of Cambridge Executive and Professional Education quality standards.