Policy Design and Strategic Planning
In an era marked by complex socio-economic transformations, policy professionals and institutional leaders are increasingly required to craft strategies that are not only technically sound but also forward-looking, inclusive, and resilient. This intensive program, Policy Design and Strategic Planning is specifically curated for governmental and enterprise leaders committed to strengthening public value through effective governance and strategic foresight.
Anchored in real-world applications, this course immerses participants in the full policy lifecycle — from problem analysis and evidence generation to stakeholder engagement, formulation, implementation, and evaluation. Participants will acquire a robust conceptual and practical foundation in modern policy design methodologies while learning how to construct strategic frameworks aligned with national priorities such as the UAE Vision 2031 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The course emphasizes the interplay between strategy and execution by introducing integrated models of results-based management, scenario planning, and adaptive governance. Through policy labs, case-based discussions, and peer-to-peer exchange, participants will gain the confidence and skills needed to lead the design of impactful policies that respond to local needs while navigating global uncertainties.
Outcomes
- Develop comprehensive public policy proposals using systems thinking, theory of change, and strategic logic models.
- Analyze governance challenges and institutional gaps using policy tools such as SWOT, PESTLE, stakeholder mapping, and policy matrixes.
- Formulate strategic plans that are measurable, cost-effective, inclusive, and aligned with broader government agendas and regulatory frameworks.
- Apply data-driven methodologies and behavioral insights to inform policy design, public consultation, and adaptive implementation.
- Facilitate cross-sectoral coordination and multi-stakeholder dialogue to enhance policy coherence and organizational alignment.
- Construct submission-ready policy blueprints and strategic action plans tailored to the GCC public sector environment.
Features
- Delivered over 3 to 5 full days, onsite in the UAE (or GCC, as required). Options include a focused executive retreat, or an internal team development bootcamp to align multi-disciplinary units around shared strategic goals.
- Includes accredited training hours and provides participants with both a Certificate of Completion and a Policy Lab Certificate for those who produce a draft strategic policy or implementation framework during the course.
- The course content can be adapted to national or sector-specific themes (e.g., economic policy, education reform, digital governance) to ensure contextual relevance. This includes UAE-specific case studies and frameworks.
- A 30-day follow-up period includes virtual check-ins, coaching, and advisory sessions to assist with real-world implementation and impact review.
- Embedded tools to track ROI and organizational learning outcomes, including: Pre- and post-training assessments, Leadership diagnostic tools, Policy-readiness evaluations, Optional team coaching and strategic plan audits
Target audiences
- Senior officials in ministries, executive councils, and public authorities responsible for planning, strategy, or reform.
- Department directors, strategy officers, and unit leaders in semi-governmental and enterprise organizations.
- Policy researchers, analysts, and fellows working in government think tanks or advisory bodies.
- Development cooperation officers, program designers, and public service transformation leads.
- Organizational architects aiming to integrate foresight and long-range planning into decision-making processes.
Curriculum
The role of policymaking in adaptive, agile, and networked governments
Balanced scorecards, KPIs, and results-based budgeting
Legal mandates, cross-government alignment, and delivery units
Co-creation methodologies and collaborative governance models
Building resilience into national and sectoral planning frameworks
Integrating big data and AI into strategic policy development
Policy evaluation, performance monitoring, and impact metrics
