Training advisors available Mon–Fri, 9am to 5pm train@keystraining.com Public course dates
Speak to an advisor0345 450 0051 Build a quote
Management & Leadership

Strategic Thinking & Decision Making

Think long-term, decide with confidence

A practical one-day course that helps managers and professionals think more strategically and make smarter, more confident decisions – delivered at your premises or live online.

LengthHalf day or 1 day
LevelAll levels
FormatsIn-house · Live online
Group sizeAny size, tailored quote
Get a quote for your team
Overview

About the Strategic Thinking & Decision Making course

This one-day instructor-led course is designed to help professionals think more strategically and make smarter, more informed decisions. Participants learn how to take a long-term view, align decisions with organisational goals and use practical tools to evaluate options and make confident choices. The course blends strategic models with real-world decision-making scenarios to build critical thinking and forward-planning skills.

Building a senior leadership programme? Browse all our management & leadership training courses, including Organisational Leadership Skills and Leadership & Strategic Management for Directors, or run this day as a live remote class via Microsoft Teams.

  • Free training needs analysis before your course
  • Tailored with your real workplace scenarios
  • Free post-course telephone & email support
Strategic Mindset

What strategic thinking is, how it differs from tactical and operational thinking, and the habits of a strategic thinker.

Planning Models

Identify strategic priorities in your role, set strategic goals and apply models such as SWOT and PESTLE.

Decision Tools

Use cost-benefit analysis and decision matrices, balance intuition with data and overcome cognitive biases.

Decisions Under Pressure

Make sound decisions in complex or high-pressure situations, evaluate outcomes and gain buy-in for your choices.

Course outline

What the day covers

6 modules · tailored to your team on in-house courses
What Is Strategic Thinking?3 topics
  • The difference between strategic, tactical and operational thinking
  • Key characteristics of a strategic thinker
  • Identifying strategic priorities in your role
Strategic Planning3 topics
  • Strategic goal setting and vision alignment
  • Introduction to strategic planning models (e.g. SWOT, PESTLE)
  • Strategic risk awareness and mitigation
The Decision-Making Process2 topics
  • Understanding the decision-making process
  • Tools for effective decision-making (e.g. cost-benefit, decision matrix)
Better Judgement2 topics
  • Balancing intuition vs. data in decision-making
  • Overcoming cognitive biases and mental shortcuts
Decisions Under Pressure2 topics
  • Making decisions under pressure
  • Evaluating outcomes and learning from results
Communication and Action Plan2 topics
  • Strategic communication: gaining buy-in for decisions
  • Creating a personal strategic action plan
Outcomes

By the end of the course, delegates will be able to

  • Apply the principles of strategic thinking to real work challenges
  • Use frameworks to evaluate options and make well-informed decisions
  • Recognise and overcome decision-making biases
  • Make confident decisions in complex or high-pressure situations
  • Follow a personalised action plan for applying strategic thinking in their role
Courses & fees

Ways to book this course

In-House or Live Online

Half-Day Group Course

Quote
Tailored quote · Half day · at your premises or live online
  • Focused on the essentials
  • At your premises or via Microsoft Teams
  • Reference materials & certificates
Request a quote
In-House or Live Online

Full-Day Group Course

Quote
Tailored quote · One day · at your premises or live online
  • Tailored to your teams and situations
  • At your premises or via Microsoft Teams
  • Reference materials & certificates
Request a quote
New! · Customised at Your Premises

With Professional Actors

Quote
Tailored quote · Full day · any group size
  • Scenarios written around your organisation
  • Real practice with trained actors
  • Trainer plus actor(s) at your premises
Request a quote

All options are quoted individually based on your requirements, group size and location. Speak with a training advisor for a tailored quote.

Is it right for you?

Who the course is for

Who should attend

Managers and team leaders involved in planning and decision-making, project leaders and professionals preparing for senior roles, and anyone responsible for aligning their team’s work with organisational goals.

Every course includes

More than just a training day

Dedicated account managerOne named contact who knows your organisation and your history with us.
Pre-course evaluationFree skills check forms so every delegate lands on the right level.
Course tailoringWe plan and customise closed courses around your roles, systems and files.
CertificatesA Keys Training certificate for every attendee, for training records and ESR.
Management feedbackPost-course feedback reviews so you can see what landed.
Free aftercareTelephone and email support for every delegate after the course.
Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Who is this course for?

Managers and team leaders involved in planning and decision-making, project leaders, professionals preparing for senior roles, and anyone who wants to strengthen their strategic mindset and make better business decisions.

Is this course suitable for people who are new to strategy?

Yes. The course starts with what strategic thinking actually is and how it differs from day-to-day tactical and operational thinking, then builds up practical tools step by step. No previous strategy training is needed.

Can the course be delivered remotely?

Yes. The course can be run as a live online class via Microsoft Teams as well as at your premises.

Can the course be tailored to our organisation?

Yes. All of our tailored courses begin with a free training needs analysis, so the trainer can build the decision-making scenarios around the real choices your managers face.

Training a larger group?

Every course is quoted individually based on your requirements, group size and location. If you have a larger team, or several teams to train, please speak with one of our team to discuss this further and we will put together a tailored quote.

Speak to our team

or call 0345 450 0051

Ready to make better decisions, faster?

Speak with a training advisor to arrange a tailored Strategic Thinking & Decision Making course for your team – at your premises, live online or with professional actors.

Make an EnquiryEmail an Enquiry

Or call us on 0345 450 0051 to speak with a training advisor today.

Keep going

Courses that pair well with this one

All management courses

Get your team trained properly.

Tell us the course, rough numbers and where you are. A training advisor will reply within one working day with options and a fixed fee.

Build your quote or call a training advisor0345 450 0051
From£695 + VAT per group of up to 8Get a quote
View quote