Executive Education Strategic thinking and planning in a complex and uncertain world 2026

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: 5 weeks (excluding orientation)

Commitment: 3-5 hours per week

Cost: $1,495 (or $1,195 for early bird registrations by 6 October)

Start/end date: 6 November - 4 December 2026 with a course orientation / meet and greet on 2 November

Group discounts available.

Testimonials

I will be able to implement and practise some aspects of the course - especially in relation to strategic thinking at the Section/Team level. In fact, I am being supported by my management to do so. The course has also encouraged me to more critically evaluate how strategic planning and thinking is playing out at the more senior levels of my organisation, which I think will be beneficial, even though I am unlikely to be able to directly influence what happens at this level.

Real-world Application

This course will enable participants to think and work differently for a complex and uncertain policy environment. Participants will be presented with models and frameworks and will be expected in small groups, to apply them to current policy issues. Participants will be coached and mentored in a small group work environment to practice strategy development using the principles of systems thinking.

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 2026. It is scheduled to run across 5 weeks, 6 November - 4 December 2026 with a course orientation / meet and greet on 2 November. Specific dates and times to note in your diary are as follows:

10am-11am Monday 2 November 2026 – course introduction/meet and greet session
10am-11:30am Friday 6 November 2026
10am-11:30am Friday 13 November 2026
10am-11:30am Friday 27 November 2026
10am-11:30am Friday 4 December 2026

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.

Registration opening soon

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).

Presenter

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.

The unique role of Gary and his company is the integration of systems thinking, complex adaptive systems with futures studies and strategy development. This approach has enabled him to consult extensively across a range of government and commercial enterprises to develop organisational strategy that is based on plausible futures, using the scenario development methodology.

Gary’s approach is to work with people to enhance their processes in understanding their organisation’s operating environment and their own ways of operating. This leads to more informed decision-making and improved responsiveness and flexibility in an increasingly complex environment.

Gary holds a BSc(Hons), PhD in Applied Mathematics and Dip Ed from the University of Sydney. He is a Fellow of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Online training: How it works

This is a real-time, date-specific course, in which you will join live classes, engage and connect with experts, other course participants and the Executive Education team. Here’s how it works:

Pre-course live session. This is an opportunity for you to grab a cuppa and join our meet and greet before the course commences.
Practice + Study. Set aside up to 3 to 5 hours per week – this time commitment will vary depending on how deeply you choose to engage with the material. It is up to you.
Course pack. Each participant will receive a carefully curated workbook, which includes everything you need to guide you through the course.
Live sessions with presenter. This is a specified date and time for you to come together with the presenter and other participants to consolidate your learning.
Post-course. On completion of the course, you will receive your post-course resources for your reference and further learning.

Why choose online training?

No time off work – study and practice when you can.
Busy schedule? No problem, you can go at your own pace, join just the live classes, and do the course work whenever suits you best. We know that work and family obligations can be overwhelming. Mix and match the schedule to fit your life.
No travel. This is a course right at your fingertips. With no travel expenses, this is a very affordable option for high-level training with world-leading experts.
Live interaction with world-leading experts. You’ll have direct access to all the best resources and trainers.
Working remotely? With the online and distance format, we welcome participants from around the world to join us.

FAQs

What if I can’t make a live session? No problem, we understand you are busy. Live sessions are recorded for you to catch up in your own time.

What if I’m in a different time zone? AAll advertised course times from 5th April 2026 to 3rd October 2026 are scheduled in Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) otherwise known as GMT+11. All other scheduled times in 2026 are Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) or GMT+10. Convert for your time zone here.

What if I am not tech savvy? As long as you have access to a phone or computer, you will have no problems. Our online courses require a working laptop, desktop or smart device with good internet connection. Bring your headset. Join the tech-check session for support and insider tips.

I would like to purchase multiple courses, are there any discounts available? Yes, discount offers are available if you would like to book multiple courses throughout the year. You may contact us to discuss further options.

I work for a company or organisation that would like to enrol multiple employees in the same time. Is it possible? Yes, discounted rates are available for groups attending from the same organisation. Get in touch with us if you want to register as a group.

Can’t find the answers are you looking for? Contact our team for support at csee@anu.edu.au.

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