Finance & supply chain · Short course
Strategic Budgeting
Linking financial plans and resource allocation to strategic priorities.
The programme
Programme overview
Expanded indicative outline. The subject areas are described below; proposed activities and final delivery requirements are confirmed with Ratomac before booking.
Linking financial plans and resource allocation to strategic priorities.
The programme brings together strategic priorities, budget development, scenario planning and budget review. The expanded outline below shows how these areas can be explored through explanation, discussion and the preparation of relevant work products.
A proposed workshop runs through the programme: An organisation must reduce expenditure without abandoning its highest-priority outcomes. Participants would examine the situation in stages, use the information provided and explain the basis of their decisions. The workshop is fictional and can be adapted when the final training plan is agreed.
Who should attend
Is this programme for you?
This outline is relevant to the following roles. Suitability and any formal entry requirements should be checked for the selected programme.
- Finance managers, strategy staff and senior budget holders.
- Individuals preparing to take on responsibilities in this area.
- Teams seeking a shared approach to the work described in the programme.
Purpose of the learning
Intended learning outcomes
- Connect spending categories with strategic objectives.
- Develop alternative resource allocations.
- Compare scenarios and identify the consequences of each choice.
- Prepare a budget review that links financial changes with performance implications.
- Combine the module outputs into a reasoned response to the programme’s workplace scenario.
5 learning blocks
Detailed programme outline
01Strategic priorities
This part of the programme examines strategic priorities, with attention to objectives and resource constraints. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Objectives.
- Resource constraints.
- Applied work: connect spending categories with strategic objectives.
Illustrative practical exercise
Connect spending categories with strategic objectives. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
02Budget development
This part of the programme examines budget development, with attention to assumptions, options and allocations. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Assumptions.
- Options.
- Allocations.
- Applied work: develop alternative resource allocations.
Illustrative practical exercise
Develop alternative resource allocations. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
03Scenario planning
This part of the programme examines scenario planning, with attention to uncertainty and alternative resource choices. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Uncertainty.
- Alternative resource choices.
- Applied work: compare scenarios and identify the consequences of each choice.
Illustrative practical exercise
Compare scenarios and identify the consequences of each choice. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
04Budget review
This part of the programme examines budget review, with attention to performance information and adjustments. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Performance information.
- Adjustments.
- Applied work: prepare a budget review that links financial changes with performance implications.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a budget review that links financial changes with performance implications. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
05Integrated workplace workshop
An organisation must reduce expenditure without abandoning its highest-priority outcomes. The final workshop connects the earlier work rather than treating each topic as an isolated activity.
Topics to explore
- Bring together the outputs from the earlier modules into one coherent response to the scenario.
- Check that the recommendation addresses the original problem and is supported by the information available.
- Identify responsibilities, dependencies and matters that require specialist input or further evidence.
- Present the proposed response and revise it after questions from the facilitator and other participants.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a concise presentation for the fictional organisation. Include the proposed response, the evidence supporting it and the decisions still required. Finish with a reflection on which aspects could be relevant to your own work.
From discussion to application
How the programme could be delivered
The proposed learning approach combines facilitator-led explanation, discussion of the subject areas and guided work on the fictional scenario. Each module produces a practical output that can be reviewed and improved.
Participants can work individually or in small groups to compare interpretations, explain their decisions and identify missing information. Feedback focuses on the connection between the task, the evidence used and the proposed response.
The final workshop brings the module outputs together. Ratomac will confirm the delivery format, learning resources, entry requirements and any formal assessment or certification arrangements for the selected programme.
Discuss your requirements
Dates, duration & arrangements
Contact Ratomac to agree the final programme, duration and delivery format. Include your preferred timing, location and whether the enquiry is for yourself or a team.
Discuss this programme ↗Indicative outline for discussion. The final syllabus is agreed with Ratomac before booking. The expanded learning activities and workplace scenario are original proposals for discussion with Ratomac.