The Certificate in Strategic Management (CSM) is sponsored by the Strategic Management Association and offered by the Association for Strategic Planning Chicago Chapter. Ten slots are available for each “Cohort” / section of the program. Over the program’s eight sessions participants become skilled in all phases of strategic management by executing a planning process and constructing a strategic management system that fits within their organization. Upon successful completion of the program a finished strategic plan, operating plan and performance metrics are in place ready for implementation within a managed process that is understood.

CSM is designed for consultants, executives and emerging professionals who do the work of strategic management and are linked to organizations that presently require strategic planning. In this way, CSM builds the capacity of teams (experts and organizations) to be successful.  The program also works for individual participants (not connected to an organization) by matching them with a Chicago area nonprofit that meets the program’s criteria *(Nonprofit Organization Criterion) and demonstrates a strong need for strategic planning assistance. We make this happen through our “Supporting Organization” partnership that brings qualifying nonprofits to the program. Cohort 3 of CSM (scheduled to start May 16th) has YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago providing Chicago area Y institutions as program matches. (www.ymcachgo.org/)  Other nonprofits are also being recruited.

Nonprofit Organization Criterion

Throughout the course resources are provided that guide development and implementation of an effective strategic planning and management system.  Included are the management principles and materials necessary to understand the process, a step-by-step methodology to the planning, implementation and performance evaluation process, key questions to ask and answer along the way, and the online and offline tools required to be successful.
CSM’s participants come together for the first (course overview and lecture) and last (final lecture and plan presentations) sessions of the program. Then after each of the six online class sessions participants work independently to apply concepts directly to their particular organization’s developments. CSM’s project oriented learning management system is provided by EctoConnect (www.ectoconnect.com/). An easy-to-use, web-based planning tool, MAPPware 2.3, gives participants online data collection and information organizing from start to finish. This allows participants to connect and maintain organization participation, collect and organize team input and report results while the instruction team monitors developments and provides individualized feedback / guidance as the course unfolds. (www.mappware.com)

The Certificate in Strategic Management Program is built on the notion that participants can expect to obtain value along two dimensions.  First, there are concepts and principles that must be understood in order to develop and manage an effective and efficient strategy, related operating plan and performance metrics.  Second, there are specific skills, methods and processes that must be acquired in order to be successful.

Session Strategy Topic Format 1 Program Overview In Person 2 Environmental Analysis Online 3 SWOT Evaluation Online 4 Strategic Direction Online 5 Strategy Identification & Selection Online 6 Strategic Planning Online 7 Strategic Operating Plan Online 8 Implementation Management In Person