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This course is part of the Leadership & Management and Strategy track.
Strategy Execution
People standing around a table working

Strategy Execution

Successfully Implement Strategy Within Your Organization

Strategy Execution will equip you with the tools, skills, and frameworks to allocate resources, measure performance, manage risk, and execute strategy. You’ll explore common challenges that prevent or derail implementation and learn how to design systems and structures that meet your organization’s strategic objectives.

Apply Now

What You'll Learn

Play an Introduction to Strategy Execution video
Play an Introduction to Strategy Execution video
Go to Course Syllabus
  • Apply frameworks, tools, and goal-setting and tracking exercises to your own strategic initiatives
  • Evaluate and elevate your team’s management of the core tensions of strategy execution, including how to balance growth, profit, and control
  • Design measurement systems for every dimension of business performance
  • Identify and manage risks that could derail strategy execution
  • Empower employees through proprietary frameworks like the Job Design Optimization Tool, which helps design high-performance jobs that enhance a team’s ability to execute critical responsibilities
  • Foster successful strategy execution by establishing an environment that communicates which opportunities and behaviors are encouraged and which are out of bounds

About the Professor

Professor Robert Simons - Strategy Execution

Robert Simons is a Baker Foundation Professor at Harvard Business School, and has taught courses on strategy execution, management control systems, and accounting for more than 30 years. His book, Levers of Control, which describes how effective top managers balance innovation and control, won the Notable Contribution to Management Accounting Literature Award. For three consecutive years, he’s also been named one of the top four best-selling business case authors in the world by The Case Centre. His other books include Seven Strategy Questions: A Simple Approach for Better Execution and Levers of Organization Design: How Managers Use Accountability Systems for Greater Performance and Commitment.

Who Will Benefit

Person presenting

Mid-Level Managers and Professionals

Gain the frameworks and tools to improve strategy execution within your team, department, or organization.

Person ascending stairs

Aspiring Managers

Prepare for a managerial role and position yourself for advancement by learning how to effectively implement strategy.

Idea

Entrepreneurs and Consultants

Design new structures and systems to manage the core tensions of strategy execution and meet business goals.

Program Structure

Strategy Execution consists of approximately 40-45 hours of material delivered over an eight-week period. You can complete the coursework on your own time while meeting regular deadlines.

August 2022
  • Length: 8 Weeks
  • Program Dates: 8/10/22 – 10/5/22
  • Cost: $1,750
  • Application Deadline: August 1
  • Detailed Calendar
  • Course Platform
  • Certificate Program
Apply Now
September 2022
  • Length: 8 Weeks
  • Program Dates: 9/14/22 – 11/9/22
  • Cost: $1,750
  • Application Deadline: September 5
  • Detailed Calendar
  • Course Platform
  • Certificate Program
Apply Now
October 2022
  • Length: 8 Weeks
  • Program Dates: 10/12/22 – 12/7/22
  • Cost: $1,750
  • Application Deadline: October 3
  • Detailed Calendar
  • Course Platform
  • Certificate Program
Apply Now

Strategy Execution is part of the Leadership and Management and Strategy Learning Tracks. If you’re interested in developing deeper insights and expertise, you can choose to complete three leadership and management or three strategy courses within 18 months to earn a Certificate of Specialization.

Syllabus

Strategy Execution features adaptations of award-winning, best-selling Harvard Business School case studies, as well as opportunities to engage with peers in team discussions. Participants will explore common challenges that prevent or derail execution and learn how to design systems and structures that meet their organization’s strategic objectives.

You'll also benefit from the insights of industry leaders and expert faculty at Harvard Business School, including Susanna Gallani, Assistant Professor of Business Administration, and Eugene Soltes, Professor of Business Administration. Their research findings and perspectives will complement Professor Simons’ teachings on incentive design and risk management, respectively.

Leaders interviewed:


  • Meghna Modi, Managing Director at Go Mobile
  • Denise Montgomery, Mary Kay Independent Sales Director
  • Tom Polen, CEO and President of Becton Dickinson
  • David Rodriguez, EVP and Global Chief Human Resources Officer at Marriott
  • Kasper Rorsted, CEO of adidas
  • Tom Siebel, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of C3.ai
  • Bruce Welty, CEO of Quiet Logistics

Learning requirements: In order to earn a Certificate of Completion, participants must thoughtfully complete all six modules and exercises therein (including a capstone activity which integrates and applies the concepts covered in the course) by stated deadlines.

Download Strategy Execution Syllabus

Modules Case Studies Takeaways Key Exercises
Module 1: Managing the Tensions of Strategy Execution
  • ATH Technologies: Making the Numbers
  • C3.ai: Driven to Succeed
  • Understand the various tensions managers face as they implement strategy
  • Implement a framework for managing those tensions effectively
  • Analyze your organization’s approach to managing common organizational tensions
  • Identify strengths and deltas in your organization’s approach to executing strategy
Module 2: Aligning Job Design to Strategy
  • Go Mobile: Aligning District Managers and Store Teams
  • Optimize the design of key jobs and align them to strategy
  • Analyze a job using the Job Design Optimization Tool (JDOT)
  • Recommend a set of job design improvements
Module 3: Empowering Employees to Execute Strategy
  • Henkel: Building a Winning Culture
  • Apply techniques to spur high performance and creativity among employees
  • Create core values that inspire and guide employees through difficult decisions
  • Identify ways to dial up performance and increase innovation within your team
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of your organization’s core values
Module 4: Measuring and Monitoring Performance
  • Citibank: Performance Measurement
  • Create performance measurement systems that account for all dimensions of strategy execution while conserving scarce time and attention
  • Analyze and improve your organization’s approach to profit planning
  • Identify critical performance variables and develop goals, measures, and targets corresponding to them
  • Analyze a range of incentive types and identify the most useful ones for different contexts
Module 5: Identifying and Managing Risks
  • Westchester Distributing, Inc.
  • Quiet Logistics
  • Describe and identify common risks businesses face
  • Create systems for managing and mitigating them
  • Identify internal risk pressures using the Risk Exposure Calculator
  • Propose solutions for a new conduct boundary at your organization
Module 6: Balancing Innovation and Control
  • Continental Media Group: Business Highlights
  • Automation Consulting Services
  • Apply techniques to help your business innovate and adapt to change while maintaining clear focus and retaining necessary controls
  • Identify which opportunities your organization should and should not pursue
  • Propose a system you can use to focus organizational attention on emerging threats and uncertainties
  • Apply course-wide knowledge by proposing a set of solutions to strategy execution challenges at a growing consulting firm
  • Capstone activity: develop an action plan for implementing the levers of control at your or another organization

The HBS Online Advantage

Play an Introduction to the HBS Online Platform video
Play an Introduction to the HBS Online Platform video
  • World-class faculty
  • Edge-of-your-seat online learning
  • Global peer collaboration and networking
  • Real-world, case-based learning

Harvard Business School Online offers a unique and highly engaging way to learn vital business concepts. Solve issues facing your organization by immersing yourself in the systems, structures, and insights other organizations across industries have leveraged to tackle strategy execution. You’ll learn from leaders at Quiet Logistics, Marriott, adidas, C3.ai, Go Mobile, Becton Dickinson, Henkel, and Citibank.

Play Participant shares thoughts on Strategy Execution video
Play Participant shares thoughts on Strategy Execution video

Stories from Our Learners

  • HBS Online was an invaluable and essential education. The information provided, the quality of the presentation, and the high-level engagement among students surpassed my expectations.
    Rick Corbett,
    Harvard Law School '15
  • The platform was engaging, innovative, and allowed me to interact with the material in a way I never expected from an online course.
    Bethany Larson,
    HBS Online Participant
  • A few weeks into the course, accounting terminology came alive as I realized why accounting is the language of business. I can now talk confidently with clients and understand the business aspect of their problems.
    Gaurang Manjrekar,
    Technology Consultant


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Frequently Asked Questions

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Enrollment Eligibility

Our easy online application is free, and no special documentation is required. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age, proficient in English, and committed to learning and engaging with fellow participants throughout the course. We confirm enrollment eligibility within one week of your application.

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Strategy Execution Certificate of Completion from HBS Online
Earn Your Certificate

Enroll today in Harvard Business School Online's Strategy Execution course.

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All FAQs

Top FAQs

How are HBS Online courses delivered?

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We offer self-paced programs (with weekly deadlines) on the HBS Online course platform.

Our platform features short, highly produced videos of HBS faculty and guest business experts, interactive graphs and exercises, cold calls to keep you engaged, and opportunities to contribute to a vibrant online community.

Do I need to come to campus to participate in HBS Online programs?

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No, all of our programs are 100 percent online, and available to participants regardless of their location.

How do I enroll in a course?

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All programs require the completion of a brief application. The applications vary slightly from program to program, but all ask for some personal background information. You can apply for and enroll in programs here. If you are new to HBS Online, you will be required to set up an account before starting an application for the program of your choice.

Our easy online application is free, and no special documentation is required. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age, proficient in English, and committed to learning and engaging with fellow participants throughout the program.

After submitting your application, you should receive an email confirmation from HBS Online. If you do not receive this email, please check your junk email folders and double-check your account to make sure the application was successfully submitted.

Updates to your application and enrollment status will be shown on your Dashboard. We confirm enrollment eligibility within one week of your application.

Does Harvard Business School Online offer an online MBA?

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No, Harvard Business School Online offers business certificate programs.

What are my payment options?

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We accept payments via credit card, Western Union, and (when available) bank loan. Some candidates may qualify for scholarships or financial aid, which will be credited against the Program Fee once eligibility is determined. Please refer to the Payment & Financial Aid page for further information.

We also allow you to split your payment across 2 separate credit card transactions or send a payment link email to another person on your behalf. If splitting your payment into 2 transactions, a minimum payment of $350 is required for the first transaction.

In all cases, net Program Fees must be paid in full (in US Dollars) to complete registration.

What are the policies for refunds and deferrals?

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After enrolling in a program, you may request a withdrawal with refund (minus a $100 nonrefundable enrollment fee) up until 24 hours after the start of your program. Please review the Program Policies page for more details on refunds and deferrals. If your employer has contracted with HBS Online for participation in a program, or if you elect to enroll in the undergraduate credit option of the Credential of Readiness (CORe) program, note that policies for these options may differ.

 

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