Learn how to draw on principles of systems thinking and adaptive systems to frame new approaches for strategic thinking and planning in an uncertain landscape.
How to develop strategy in a complex and uncertain landscape
How can we develop strategy in a complex and uncertain landscape? In this course, you will learn how to draw on the principles of systems thinking and complex adaptive systems to frame new approaches for planning that enable the development of outcomes, objectives and actions to be developed with sufficient flexibility that will enable change in direction to changing circumstances.
Key topics include:
- Framing strategic thinking and planning in an uncertain and complex policy environment
- Understanding the nature of change and how that influences the nature of policy and strategy development
- Understanding ambiguity and uncertainty when undertaking strategic thinking and strategic planning and how to respond to each
- Models and frameworks for strategic thinking and planning
- Principles of Systems Thinking and Complex Adaptive Systems to understand complex and uncertain business/policy landscape
- Application of models and principles for undertaking strategic thinking and planning
- Understanding and managing entrained human behaviour patterns and their impact on strategy development
At a glance
Format: Online
Duration: 4 weeks (excluding orientation)
Commitment: 3-5 hours per week
Cost: $1,495 (or $1,195 for early bird registrations by 30 September)
Start/end date: 31 October - 28 November 2025 with a course orientation / meet and greet on 28 October
Group discounts available.
Course curriculum
- Module 1 Why undertake strategic thinking and planning?
- Module 2 The nature of change
- Module 3 Facilitating strategic thinking
- Module 4 Developing strategy and a strategic plan
- Module 5 The human aspects of strategic thinking and planning
Session schedule
This course will run as an online and distance program in 2025. It is scheduled to run across 5 weeks, 31 October - 28 November 2025 with a course orientation / meet and greet on 28 October. Specific dates and times to note in your diary are as follows:
- 10am-11am Tuesday 28 October 2025 – course introduction/meet and greet session
- 10am-11:30am Friday 31 October 2025
- 10am-11:30am Friday 7 November 2025
- 10am-11:30am Friday 21 November 2025
- 10am-11:30am Friday 28 November 2025
Note: Dates and times are in Canberra time (AEDT). The calendar invite for each session should automatically adjust to your timezone when you add it to your calendar. You can check at a site like this to be sure.
Learning outcomes
- Understanding the nature of change and how that influences the framing of policy and strategy development
- Understanding the distinctions between strategic thinking and strategic planning
- The capability to identify the difference between ambiguity and uncertainty and how to respond accordingly to develop strategy
- The capability to identify uncertainty, understand it and include the implications of it throughout the strategic plan
- The capability to design a strategic plan and develop statements of outcome with the associated performance indicators and activities
- The capability to better understand people during strategy and policy development and how to better manage relationships to achieve intended business outcomes
Who is this course for?
This course is of interest to any sector that needs to understand the nature of its business environment and develop an organised response with the capacity to identify emerging trends and be able to respond to them. It is suitable for APS6 - SES level (or equivalent).
Event Speakers
Dr Gary Saliba
Dr Gary Saliba is the Director of Strategic Journeys, a management consulting company, which assists people in organisations in strategy development work.