In 2021 the class dates for this course are 9, 16, 23 August; 20, 27 September; 18 october
There is little doubt that we live in fast-moving and turbulent times: rapid economic change, unexpected political events, and social and technological transformations all make any stable parametric assumption for policymaking hazardous. What does this imply for government? Must we simply respond to events as they unfold around us? Or can we chart a more deliberate course in the midst of constant change? In this course, participants will practice the art of thinking and acting strategically to develop best practice public policy. At its best, strategy can help advance an organisation's agenda, manage complexity, and stimulate innovation. In other cases, strategy may have little impact or lead an organisation astray. Through class sessions that combine theoretical tools with practical case studies, participants will grapple with the challenges of looking forward, choosing courses of action, and implementing strategy, while remaining open to change.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the difference between “business as usual” and strategic policymaking;
- Conduct strategic assessments of a particular organisation and the environment it faces;
- Develop and analyse alternative courses of strategic action, based strategic assessments and the identification of critical strategic issues;
- Recommend how particular courses of strategic action may be implemented to maximize impact.
Indicative Assessment
- Strategic assessment memo. Participants are asked to prepare memo conveying a strategic assessment for an organisation with which they are familiar. The memo should: outline the organisation’s mission; provide an assessment of the organisation’s strengths and weaknesses; and analyse the most relevant aspects of the changing environment faced by organisation. (30) [LO 1,2]
- Group presentation. Drawing on the principles of ‘project-based learning’, participants will be placed in groups to address an actual strategic policy problem confronting society. This assessment item requires students to apply relevant concepts and practices covered in the separate teaching blocks in the course. As participants work through a strategic policy process from problem development to conclusions, the group project requires you to evaluate the best fit, and then to apply, from the repertoire of strategic policy analysis skills covered in the course. (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Strategy Memo. Participants are asked to provide a comprehensive strategy memo for an organization with which they are familiar, building on and drawing on feedback from the strategic assessment memo. This comprehensive memo should cover all of the points covered in the strategic assessment while also making recommendations regarding the strategic approach to be adopted and how that approach should be implemented. (40) [LO 1,2,3,4]
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Workload
A standard workload for a 6 unit course is 130 hours including in-class time and independent study.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
See Wattle.
Preliminary Reading
Braybrooke, D. and C. Lindblom (1963). A strategy of decision: Policy evaluation as a social process.Bryson, J. (1988). Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations: A Guide to Strengthening and Sustaining Organizational Achievement.
Kearns, K.P. (2000). Private Sector Strategies for Social Sector Success: The Guide to Strategy and Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations.
Mintzberg, H. (2000) The rise and fall of strategic planning.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $4110 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $5880 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
