Course Details

Strategic Thinking for Project Managers Training Course: Developing a broader perspective to align projects with organizational goals

Introduction

Elevate your project leadership from execution to true strategic partnership with our "Strategic Thinking for Project Managers" training course. In today's dynamic business landscape, simply delivering projects on time and budget is no longer enough; project managers must understand and actively contribute to the overarching organizational strategy. This intensive 10-day program equips project professionals with the frameworks and mindsets to analyze market trends, understand competitive landscapes, identify stakeholder value, and align project initiatives directly with enterprise objectives. Learn to anticipate future needs, make proactive decisions, and articulate the strategic impact of your projects, transforming you into a vital contributor to organizational success and a driver of sustainable growth.

Duration

10 Days

Target Audience

This course is essential for experienced project managers, program managers, PMO leaders, business analysts, functional managers who lead initiatives, and aspiring strategic leaders who want to move beyond tactical execution to contribute more significantly to organizational strategy. It is particularly beneficial for those in:

• Organizations undergoing significant change or transformation.
• Roles requiring cross-functional collaboration and strategic alignment.
• Environments where projects directly impact business outcomes and competitive advantage.
• Professionals seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities and influence at a senior level.
• Individuals looking to bridge the gap between operational project delivery and strategic vision.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the "Strategic Thinking for Project Managers" training course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the fundamental concepts of strategic management and its connection to project selection and delivery.
• Analyze the internal and external environments impacting their projects and organization.
• Identify and articulate the strategic objectives that their projects support.
• Develop a broader business perspective beyond immediate project deliverables.
• Apply strategic thinking frameworks to evaluate project opportunities and risks.
• Align project initiatives with organizational priorities, vision, and values.
• Communicate the strategic value and impact of their projects to senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Anticipate future trends and adapt project strategies accordingly.
• Contribute effectively to portfolio management and strategic planning processes.
• Formulate a comprehensive action plan for integrating strategic thinking into their daily project management practices.

Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Strategic Thinking and Project Alignment

• Defining strategic thinking: Beyond tactical execution to long-term vision.
• The link between organizational strategy and project success.
• Why project managers need to think strategically: Relevance, impact, career growth.
• Overview of strategic management frameworks (brief introduction to SWOT, PESTEL, Porter's Five Forces).
• Case studies: Projects that succeeded/failed due to strategic alignment (or misalignment).

Module 2: Understanding Organizational Strategy

• Deconstructing organizational vision, mission, and core values.
• Different types of organizational strategies: Growth, competitive advantage, innovation, efficiency.
• How strategic objectives translate into project mandates.
• The role of a Project Manager in contributing to strategic execution.
• Analyzing your organization's current strategic direction.

Module 3: Environmental Scanning and External Analysis

• PESTEL Analysis: Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, Legal factors impacting projects.
• Market analysis: Understanding customer needs, market trends, and competitive landscapes.
• Porter's Five Forces: Analyzing industry competitiveness and its impact on project viability.
• Identifying external opportunities and threats relevant to your projects.
• Using environmental scanning for proactive project adjustments.

Module 4: Internal Analysis and Core Competencies

• SWOT Analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats for your project or organization.
• Identifying organizational core competencies and competitive advantages.
• Resource analysis: Understanding internal capabilities, capacities, and limitations.
• Value Chain Analysis: Where does your project add value within the organization?
• Aligning project capabilities with strategic requirements.

Module 5: Strategic Project Selection and Prioritization

• Beyond ROI: Strategic criteria for project evaluation and selection.
• Portfolio management concepts: Balancing strategic fit, risk, and return across projects.
• Decision-making frameworks for prioritizing projects based on strategic value.
• The role of the PMO in strategic alignment.
• Saying "no" to projects that don't align strategically.

Module 6: Translating Strategy into Project Objectives and Scope

• Decomposing strategic goals into measurable project objectives.
• Ensuring project scope directly supports strategic outcomes.
• Developing a "strategic project charter" that links to higher-level goals.
• Managing scope creep from a strategic perspective.
• The importance of value realization planning.

Module 7: Strategic Risk Management and Opportunity Identification

• Identifying strategic risks: Threats to organizational objectives, not just project deliverables.
• Anticipating long-term implications of project decisions.
• Leveraging project opportunities that contribute to strategic growth.
• Scenario planning and contingency development for strategic shifts.
• The project manager's role in enterprise risk management.

Module 8: Communicating Strategic Value

• Articulating the "big picture" impact of your project to senior leadership.
• Tailoring strategic messages for different stakeholder groups.
• Using data visualization and storytelling to convey strategic alignment.
• Presenting project proposals and updates with a strategic lens.
• Influencing stakeholders to support strategically important initiatives.

Module 9: Leading Strategically and Fostering Innovation

• The project manager as a strategic leader: Vision, influence, adaptability.
• Fostering a culture of innovation within project teams.
• Encouraging strategic thinking among team members.
• Learning from success and failure from a strategic perspective.
• Embracing change and adapting project plans to evolving strategy.

Module 10: Future-Proofing Projects and Organizations & Action Plan

• Emerging trends shaping the future of industries and projects (e.g., AI, sustainability, globalization).
• Developing a foresight mindset for long-term project planning.
• The concept of "strategic agility" in project management.
• Contributing to organizational resilience through strategically aligned projects.
• Personalized action plan: Identifying areas to apply strategic thinking to a current project or organizational initiative, and steps for continuous development.

CERTIFICATION

• Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

• Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

• Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com