What is strategic management?

Strategic management is the process business leaders use when creating goals and planning how to allocate resources to achieve those goals for their organization. It involves exploring both internal processes from within the organization and external factors, such as the role competition plays in the success or failure of a company. This type of management is a holistic approach that combines classic top-level managerial thinking with the application of modern theories and processes. It's a growing specialty field, with the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) expecting the field to grow at about 11% per year through 2029 , which is much faster than average.

What does learning strategic management enable me to do next?

Learning strategic management creates a number of career options for you. If you want to start your own business, it provides you with an understanding of how to gain insights that can help your business succeed. If you want to use your expertise to move up at a job you already have, you can present your certifications and show your new skills to your boss by sharing insights based on strategic management principles. If entering a new field is your goal, learning about this type of management ensures you have the know-how and skills to succeed on the job.

How can taking online courses on Coursera help me learn strategic management?

Taking online courses on Coursera can help you learn strategic management by providing you with the opportunity to engage in planning and decision-making sessions through case studies and regular coursework. When you engage in strategy sessions and learn to use tools, such as SWOT analysis, to explore a company's competitive advantage and weaknesses, you gain insights about how a company might make changes in order to increase success. Then, you build on early learning from your courses to learn how to increase decision-making skills and how to develop a growth strategy.

What skills or experience do I need to already have, before starting to learn strategic management?

Before starting to learn strategic management, you need to have strong reading and math skills due to the information you need to understand throughout the course. You need analytical skills to process the information and turn it into something you can apply to each course assignment. You also need to have at least introductory-level leadership skills to build on throughout the time you're studying, while you learn how to manage and inspire others to apply the goals you set and the decisions you make.

What are the benefits of taking an online Strategic Management course?

Online Strategic Management courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Strategic Management skills. Choose from a wide range of Strategic Management courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Strategic Management courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Strategic Management, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Best Strategic Management Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Strategic Management Course Catalog

Status: Free Trial
Copenhagen Business School
Strategic Management
Skills you'll gain: Strategic Thinking, Business Strategy, Organizational Strategy, Strategic Planning, Business Planning, Strategic Decision-Making, Technology Strategies, Global Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Competitive Analysis, Market Dynamics
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.5K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Copenhagen Business School
Strategic Management and Innovation
Skills you'll gain: Business Strategy, Strategic Thinking, Organizational Strategy, Organizational Structure, Strategic Decision-Making, Peer Review, Strategic Planning, Plan Execution, Project Management, Competitive Analysis, Performance Measurement, Culture Transformation, Business Planning, Innovation, Market Analysis, Resource Management, Global Marketing, Project Implementation, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Technology Strategies
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
5.1K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Strategic Leadership and Management
Skills you'll gain: Business Strategy, Conflict Management, Corporate Strategy, Trustworthiness, Organizational Structure, Organizational Strategy, Strategic Leadership, Governance, Leadership Development, Business Modeling, Stakeholder Management, Team Building, Team Leadership, Strategic Thinking, Innovation, Organizational Leadership, Leadership and Management, Business Leadership, Leadership, Negotiation
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
10K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Preview
University of London
Corporate Strategy
Skills you'll gain: Corporate Strategy, Business Strategy, Resource Allocation, Mergers & Acquisitions, Business, Organizational Strategy, Strategic Decision-Making, Business Valuation, Growth Strategies, Market Share, New Business Development, Financial Analysis, Analysis
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.8K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Preview
IE Business School
Foundations of Strategy
Skills you'll gain: Strategic Thinking, Competitive Analysis, Business Strategy, Market Dynamics, Strategic Planning, Organizational Strategy, Market Analysis, Business Economics, Economics, Resource Management, Business Process
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
197 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Virginia
Business Strategy
Skills you'll gain: Business Strategy, Growth Strategies, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Strategic Thinking, Competitive Analysis, Mergers & Acquisitions, Stakeholder Management, Business Development, Business Planning, Plan Execution, Peer Review, New Business Development, Strategic Decision-Making, Business Ethics, Governance, Organizational Strategy, Corporate Strategy, Milestones (Project Management), Innovation, Analysis
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
4.6K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

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Status: Preview
IIMA - IIM Ahmedabad
Strategy and Game Theory for Management
Skills you'll gain: Game Theory, Strategic Decision-Making, Business Strategy, Strategic Thinking, Decision Making, Strategic Planning, Behavioral Economics, Market Dynamics, Competitive Intelligence, Digital Transformation, Negotiation, Risk Management, Economics, Problem Solving, Innovation, Critical Thinking
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
113 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Dartmouth College
Strategic Leadership: Impact, Change, and Decision-Making
Skills you'll gain: Leadership Development, Personal Development, People Development, Decision Making, Talent Management, Time Management, Communication, Creativity, Leadership, Leadership and Management, Team Management, People Management, Innovation, Constructive Feedback, Strategic Decision-Making, Collaboration, Strategic Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Business Leadership, Behavioral Economics
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
622 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Virginia
Strategic Planning and Execution
Skills you'll gain: Data-Driven Decision-Making, Business Planning, Plan Execution, Business Strategy, Organizational Strategy, Strategic Thinking, Strategic Decision-Making, Governance, Analysis, Competitive Analysis, Business Leadership, Leadership, Innovation, Organizational Structure
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
852 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
Google
Google Project Management:
Skills you'll gain: Project Closure, Agile Project Management, Project Management Life Cycle, Project Planning, Project Management, Project Controls, Milestones (Project Management), Communication Planning, Scope Management, Agile Methodology, Project Risk Management, Project Scoping, Sprint Retrospectives, Sprint Planning, Agile Product Development, Backlogs, Project Schedules, Project Performance, Interviewing Skills, Applicant Tracking Systems
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
133K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM Product Manager
Skills you'll gain: Agile Software Development, Product Management, New Product Development, Product Lifecycle Management, Agile Methodology, Product Strategy, Financial Analysis, Product Roadmaps, Product Development, Product Planning, Agile Project Management, Team Performance Management, Usability Testing, Project Management Life Cycle, Innovation, Agile Product Development, Market Analysis, Stakeholder Management, Business Planning, Leadership
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.8K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Business Foundations
Skills you'll gain: Operations Management, Operational Efficiency, Process Management, Capacity Planning, Process Analysis, Finance, Process Improvement, Capital Budgeting, Go To Market Strategy, Return On Investment, Accrual Accounting, Financial Reporting, Product Development, Financial Accounting, Marketing Strategies, Branding, Marketing, Human Capital, Decision Making, Corporate Finance
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
26K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months