Management & leadership · Short course
Strategic Planning, Budgeting and Performance Management
Connecting organisational priorities with resources, targets and performance review.
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.
Connecting organisational priorities with resources, targets and performance review.
The programme brings together strategic direction, resource planning, performance measures and review cycles. 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 has more strategic commitments than its budget and teams report activity rather than results. 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.
- Strategy officers, finance staff and managers.
- 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
- Translate a strategic priority into a measurable organisational objective.
- Compare resource allocations and explain the trade-offs.
- Develop a small set of performance indicators with clear ownership.
- Prepare a quarterly review that connects expenditure, results and proposed adjustments.
- Combine the module outputs into a reasoned response to the programme’s workplace scenario.
5 learning blocks
Detailed programme outline
01Strategic direction
This part of the programme examines strategic direction, with attention to priorities and organisational objectives. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Priorities.
- Organisational objectives.
- Applied work: translate a strategic priority into a measurable organisational objective.
Illustrative practical exercise
Translate a strategic priority into a measurable organisational objective. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
02Resource planning
This part of the programme examines resource planning, with attention to connecting budgets with intended results. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Connecting budgets with intended results.
- Comparing the consequences of funding one priority at the expense of another.
- Documenting assumptions behind the resources required to achieve a result.
- Applied work: compare resource allocations and explain the trade-offs.
Illustrative practical exercise
Compare resource allocations and explain the trade-offs. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
03Performance measures
This part of the programme examines performance measures, with attention to targets, indicators and accountability. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Targets.
- Indicators.
- Accountability.
- Applied work: develop a small set of performance indicators with clear ownership.
Illustrative practical exercise
Develop a small set of performance indicators with clear ownership. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
04Review cycles
This part of the programme examines review cycles, with attention to reporting progress and adapting plans. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Reporting progress.
- Adapting plans.
- Applied work: prepare a quarterly review that connects expenditure, results and proposed adjustments.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a quarterly review that connects expenditure, results and proposed adjustments. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
05Integrated workplace workshop
An organisation has more strategic commitments than its budget and teams report activity rather than results. 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.