Appreciating the scope and direction of the organisation is paramount in planning and managing complex programmes. This module provides a critical overview of the dimensions of corporate strategy and strategy implementation, with a specific focus on programme management and programme management competence as levers of strategic renewal, building on some core concepts introduced in previous modules, e.g. Programme Value Risk and Decision Making, Foundations of Project and Programme Management and People and Behaviour in Projects. Its purpose is: 1. Identify the dimensions of corporate strategy and strategy implementation in terms of process, content and context 2. Synthesise theories of organisations in order to reach an awareness of the ambiguity and paradox inherent in managing strategically 3. Develop an appreciation for the three key tenets and foundation concepts of strategic management, namely understanding the strategic position of an organisation, making strategic choices for the future and managing strategy into action 4. Examine programme management as an overarching framework for strategy implementation considering strategy development processes (intended and emergent), configurational components (structure, processes and relationships) and resource management issues 5. Recognise the role of programme management in providing competitive advantage 6. Explore programmes as organisations, programme actors and the strategic competences required for programme management mastery

Strategy process, content and context. Theories of organisations. Governance of organisations, strategy and governance, levels of and perspectives on strategy, strategy and operations, building and sustaining competitive advantage, components of strategic management, the strategic environment (PESTLE, competitive forces and strength/weaknesses),capability of the firm, resources and competencies, value chain, competitive analysis, opportunities/threats, aspects of culture (stakeholders, ethics, culture), identifying SBUs, winning and sustaining competitive advantage, different growth strategies for organisations, ten strategy schools, organisational configuration, resourcing strategies, programmes as organisations, programme configurations and types, programme actors, programme management mastery

Identify the dimensions of corporate strategy and strategy implementation - process, content and context Explain how strategy is developed taking account of the organisations environment, its capability and access to resources, to meet the needs of all the interested stakeholders Operationalise major concepts and techniques of contemporary strategic positioning, option evaluation and choice and strategy into action through a programme management lens Develop an appreciation for programmes as organisations, programme actors and the strategic competences required for programme management masters

Justify the importance of strategy development to organisational success Accept the importance of communicating vision and mission to win the support of senior management and to motivate staff.

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Synchronous and asynchronous methods will be used to deliver the module. Students will attend a series of lectures and tutorials and will be required to undertake tutorial exercises, tutorial tests and written assessment work as required through the semester. Students will learn the fundamental principles necessary to formulate and implement organisational strategy through projects to achieve organisational competitive advantage in line with organisational governance best practice. Students will understand the strategic approaches necessary in formulating strategy and the tools and techniques that can be applied to implement strategy.

This module is based on an established gap in the strategic management literature regarding frameworks for strategy implementation focusing on the emerging phenomenon of programmes as temporary organisations facilitating strategic renewal.