Details for Strategic Thinking and Planning

This paper aims to introduce students to strategic thinking for organisational planning. While this is an extensive area, it is important for students to grasp the need for clarity of thinking, the holding of clear objectives, and the value of proactivity rather than reactivity, flexibility, coordination, commitment and operation from a secure base.

Quick Info

Currently offered by Alphacrucis: Yes
Unit code: LEA302
Credit points: 15
Total workload hours per week: 150
Number of timetabled hours per week: 4 *

* Note: Units with reduced contact hours (such as those taught in Intensive format) will have an increased assessment component.↩

Prerequisites

LEA101 – Leadership Principles

The following courses are prerequisites:

LEA101—Leadership Principles

Awards offering Strategic Thinking and Planning

This unit is offered as a part of the following awards:

Bachelor of Contemporary Ministry

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

Outcomes

Students should be able to:

Compare individual and organisational purpose and mission in the light of a Christian worldview. this includes consideration of other Christian perspectives and understandings
Analyse and evaluate an organisation’s expressed and tacit vision and goals
Design creative and effective plans related to those visions and goals
Demonstrate ability for clear thinking, problem solving, flexibility and commitment to task.
Discuss the need for strategic thinking for organisational planning and growth.

Subject Content

Christian worldview and its implications for individual and organisational purpose
Christianity meets reason: philosophy and thinking processes.
The Strategy cycle and its relation to Vision, Mission and Innovation
Effective teams
Vision Planning: Understanding the dynamic environment
Vision Planning: Developing a strategic plan Flexibility: maintain or create?
Models of problem solving and strategies for success
Resourcing and organisational security

This course may be offered in the following formats

Lectures, guided discussion/reflections, tutorials, Web-based simulations, games.

Please consult your course prospectus or enquire about how and when this course will be offered next at Alphacrucis College.

Required Equipment

Assessment Methods

Forum Postings (20%, 2500 words); Strategic Project (40%, 2000); Major Essay (40%, 2000 words)

Prescribed Text

Readings Provided

Representative References

Barna, G., The Habits of Highly Effective Churches: Being Strategic in Your God Given Ministry. Gospel Light Publications, 2001.
Bryson, J.M. Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organsisations: A guide to Strengthening and Sustaining Organisational Achievement. San Fransisco: Josey Bass, 2004.
Conradie, Hennie F. 'Non -governmental Organisations and Financial Sustainibility' Development Southern Africa 16:2 (Winter 1999): 291-8
Grant, R. Contemporary Strategy Analysis. Concepts, Techniques, Applications. Oxford: Blackwell, 2002.
Hafsi, Taieb and Howard, Thomas. 'Strategic Management and Change in High Dependency Environments: The Case of a Philanthropic Organization.' Voluntas 16:4 (Dec 2005): 329-351.
Malphurs, A., Advanced Strategic Planning, 2nd Ed.Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2005.
Mitzberg, H., & Quinn, J. The Strategy Process, 4th Ed. New York: Prentice Hall, 2002.
Oster, S. Strategic Management for Non-profit Organisations. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995
Ryall, M. & Sadler, P., Strategic Management (MBA Masterclass Series). Sterling: Kogan, 2003.
Strategic Management Society Staff, The SMS Blackwell Handbook of Organizational Capabilities: Emergence, Development and Change. Oxford: Blackwell, 2003.
Thompson, A., Strickland, A & Gamble, J.E. Crafting and Executing Strategy: Texts and Readings. New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 2005.
Wit, B. & Meyer, R. Strategy-Process, Content, Context: An International Perspective. London: Thomson Learning, 2004.

Journals:

International Review of Strategic Management

Strategic Management Journal

Strategic Organization

Business Strategy Review

Journal of Business Strategy