“The training gave me the confidence to trust the overall power of groups, and my skills in how to get the best out of them. It is readily accessible, and I have used it extensively since attending the course” - Donna Green, Models of Care Co-ordinator, Barnsley Drug & Alcohol Action Team.

Who this course is for

This course is for all those who want to be able to involve people more effectively in planning and implementing medium to long-term strategies together, including team leaders and managers within organisations, those working with Boards, management teams, partnerships and external stakeholders, youth and community workers and independent facilitators. 

Questions this course answers

“How can I enable my group to come to a common vision for their future? How can I help them make their vision happen by creatively addressing the root causes of the challenges that are blocking them, rather than focus simply on fire-fighting and problem-solving? How can I ensure a real sense of ownership, so that for once their plan actually happens?”

The course presents a structured long-range planning process which incorporates the ToP Consensus Workshop method for building consensus, the ToP Focused Conversation method for effective group communication, and an implementation process for turning ideas into productive action and concrete accomplishments. 

What you will gain

By the end of the course, you will

• have enhanced your capacity for creative strategy building by exploring and understanding the four stages and the flow of the Participatory Strategic Planning process, and the four associated types of thinking 
• be able to identify when and how to use the Participatory Strategic Planning process
• have consolidated your understanding of the Consensus Workshop and Focused Conversation methods, and gained confidence to use and adapt them
• have further developed your links with others to promote future collaboration and support in the use of the methods.

Learning style

The course presents the process in a practical and participatory way, enabling the group to experience the complete strategic planning process during the course. Each of the four workshops is first demonstrated, using a scenario with which participants can identify without having to role-play.

What do participants say about this course?

80% of PSP participants rated this course 8/10 or higher. Comments from participants’ end-of-course evaluations included: 

• an in-depth look at advanced use of ToP group facilitation methods for strategic planning
• provides a great tool to enliven your team and involve them in making commitments to deliver benefits for your organisation – I really enjoyed the course
• an insightful and inspiring course that opens new doors in facilitating groups
• this is the best two days you could spend on learning to plan strategically for maximum impact