Oxford Programme in Strategic Analysis and Decision Making with AI

Oxford Programme in Strategic Analysis and Decision Making with AI

In collaboration with Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

Develop the ability to embed generative AI within strategic frameworks to support stronger decision-making in uncertain environments.

• Receive a certificate of completion from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.
• Become part of the Oxford Saïd alumni network and connect with a global professional community.
• Gain insights from Professor Andrew Stephen, L’Oréal Professor of Marketing.

• 12 weeks length program of self-paced eLearning

The Oxford Programme in Strategic Analysis and Decision-Making with AI is designed to meet this need. It closes the gap by combining the strategic depth of Saïd Business School with practical, hands-on use of generative AI tools. Participants actively engage with AI platforms to speed up insight generation, experiment with ideas, and strengthen strategic thinking in high-pressure situations.

Throughout the programme, you will assume realistic professional roles and apply established frameworks such as PESTEL (political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal analysis), scenario planning, and Porter’s Five Forces to manage uncertainty and develop evidence-based strategic recommendations. The focus is on using AI as an intelligent thinking partner—empowering you to make faster, data-driven decisions with confidence.

Our teaching approach is grounded in evidence-based methodologies, including the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework. Rather than relying heavily on extended video lectures, the programme emphasises active participation, reflection, and practical application. This flexible and relevant structure is designed specifically for senior professionals, enabling immediate application of concepts in the workplace.

Key Features

• Course and material are in English
• Intermediate level for professionals
• 12 weeks length program (3-5 hours/week time commitment)
• Self-paced eLearning with live faculty bonus interaction sessions
• 1 year platform access & class recordings
• 100+ hours of study time and practice recommended
• Cohort Manager for all your queries and help every learning step.
• Earn a certificate of completion from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
• Join the Oxford Saïd Alumni network

About Saïd Business School

Saïd Business School is a modern, forward-thinking institution rooted within the 800-year legacy of the University of Oxford. It prepares individuals for impactful business careers while fostering a community committed to addressing global challenges. Through world-class teaching and pioneering research, the School drives meaningful change across individuals, organisations, industries, and society.

What added value does Saïd Business School contribute to the program?

The program curriculum is designed and reviewed with the assistance of the university, which gives the program quality legitimacy and a co-branded certificate of completion. Please be aware that most of the courses are via self-paced eLearning video from the university faculty staff and industry experts.

Learning Outcomes

• Evaluate external landscapes: Assess industry dynamics, risks, and opportunities using established strategic frameworks enhanced by AI tools.
• Apply AI responsibly: Leverage AI thoughtfully and ethically to accelerate insight generation and analysis.
• Formulate strategic recommendations: Create and defend tailored strategies suited to complex business environments.
• Communicate with impact: Present strategic ideas clearly and persuasively to diverse stakeholder groups.
• Craft effective AI prompts: Develop structured, purposeful prompts for business-focused AI applications.
• Build customer-focused strategies: Use AI to support segmentation, targeting, and positioning (STP) and align operations with customer needs.
• Lead with purpose: Apply frameworks such as “Pick Your Battle” to prioritise social and environmental initiatives aligned with brand strategy.
• Conduct scenario planning: Use AI to model alternative futures, test “what if” scenarios, and identify resilient strategic actions.
• Integrate strategic insights: Combine outputs from multiple frameworks with AI support to generate well-founded strategic options and reveal hidden connections.

17+ Skills Covered

• Strategic decision-making
• AI prompt engineering
• Scenario planning
• Risk evaluation
• PESTEL analysis
• Porter’s Five Forces analysis
• Customer segmentation and STP
• Competitive analysis
• Purpose-driven strategy
• Generative AI application
• Business environment analysis
• Data-driven problem solving
• Strategic communication
• Market intelligence
• Operational ideation
• Ethical AI use
• Strategic fit analysis

Target Audience:

It is designed for experienced professionals—typically with five or more years in leadership, management, or strategic roles—who influence business direction and make high-impact decisions.The programme is ideal for those looking to integrate AI into their strategic approach, accelerate decision-making, and drive organisational growth. It is particularly suited for:

• Mid- to senior-level managers seeking to apply AI in strategic decision-making to address complex, cross-functional business challenges
• Strategy consultants and leaders who must evaluate dynamic market conditions and make data-driven decisions amid uncertainty
• Product and marketing leaders aiming to connect business strategy with customer-centric and purpose-led objectives through data insights
• Professionals with more than five years of experience who aspire to fast-track their progression into senior leadership or board positions

Prerequisites:

• An undergraduate or graduate degree in any discipline
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in leadership, management, strategy, or decision-making roles

COURSE CONTENT DETAILS

Module 1: Introduction

• Course welcome and overview
• Overview of your challenge and key objectives

Module 2: Understanding and Assessing the External Business Environment

• Conducting a PESTEL analysis
• Using AI to enhance external environment analysis
• Introduction to scenario planning
• Applying AI to explore future scenarios
• Review, reflection, and knowledge check

Module 3: Adapting Strategy in Changing Environments

• The concept of open strategy
• Leveraging AI to support open strategy
• Porter’s Five Forces framework
• Review, reflection, and knowledge check

Module 4: Strategic Decision-Making in Uncertain Conditions

• Approaches to making strategic decisions
• Using AI to refine, test, and communicate strategy

Module 5: Customer-Centric Strategy and STP with AI

• Understanding customer-centricity
• Segmentation, targeting, and positioning (STP)
• Using AI to strengthen STP analysis
• Review, reflection, and knowledge assessment

Module 6: Core Competitive Priorities

• Identifying key competitive priorities
• Leveraging AI as a strategic thinking partner
• Ensuring strategic alignment and prioritisation
• Review, reflection, and knowledge assessment

Module 7: Business as a Force for Impact

• The role of business in addressing global challenges
• Applying the “Pick Your Battle” framework

Module 8: Programme Wrap-Up

• Apply and evaluate your learning

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How is the program delivered?

The programme follows a blended learning approach. Key concepts are delivered through high-quality on-demand video lectures that you can access at any time, complemented by live interactive sessions where you can engage directly with faculty and discuss the material in depth alongside practical exercises using AI tools and strategic frameworks.

Who leads the academic instruction?

The programme is directed by Professor Andrew Stephen, L’Oréal Professor of Marketing at Saïd Business School. He is a globally recognised authority on the convergence of marketing, technology, and consumer behaviour, and is ranked as the leading marketing academic in the UK.

What is the weekly time commitment?

You are advised to dedicate approximately three to five hours per week to the programme. This will allow you enough time to review the video content, participate in live sessions with Oxford University experts, and complete the required readings and project assignments.

How is the programme assessed?

There are no formal exams. Instead, your performance is evaluated through active participation in weekly discussion forums, in-module knowledge checks, and a final capstone project where you demonstrate your learning by applying it to a real-world business scenario.

How is this programme different from a traditional strategy course?

Conventional strategy courses typically cover frameworks such as PESTEL or Porter’s Five Forces as standalone tools. In contrast, this programme shows you how to embed generative AI into these frameworks to enhance insight generation, strengthen scenario planning, and improve risk assessment.

Which industries can benefit from this programme?

The strategic frameworks and AI-driven approaches taught in this programme are applicable across sectors. They are particularly valuable for professionals in finance, technology, healthcare, manufacturing, consulting, and other industries where critical decisions must be made in uncertain and high-pressure environments.

Are recent graduates eligible to apply?

A minimum of five years of professional experience is required, so the programme is not intended for recent graduates. It is designed for mid- to senior-level professionals who can contribute real-world industry insights and leadership perspectives to the learning experience.

Will I be taught coding or how to build AI models?

No. This is a management-focused programme rather than a technical training course, so it does not cover Python or model development. Instead, you will learn how to use existing generative AI tools to address strategic business challenges and strengthen your analytical decision-making.

How can I access the Oxford Saïd Alumni Network?

After successfully completing the programme, you will be invited to join the Oxford Saïd Alumni Network. You will receive guidance on how to become a member of the exclusive LinkedIn group, along with details on accessing additional alumni benefits.

Will I be able to engage with other professionals in the programme?

Yes. Peer-to-peer learning is a key part of the experience. You will connect with a diverse, international cohort through facilitated discussion forums and live sessions, exchanging perspectives from various industries and geographic regions.