Connected Planning in Action (Coursera)

In this course, you’ll explore examples of how Connected Planning transforms the way organizations do business. Using real-life case studies from the Finance, Sales, Supply Chain, and Human Resources functions, you’ll see a wide range of Connected Planning examples and benefits. Most significantly, Connected Planning is cross-functional, which generates even greater impact for an organization.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Explain how Connected Planning provides the link between strategic planning and operational execution

• Describe a range of ways that organizations apply Connected Planning within and across functions

• Articulate the benefits of Connected Planning

Course 2 of 4 in the Connected Planning for Business Transformation Specialization.

What You Will Learn

- How Connected Planning links strategy, decisions, processes, and data across an organization

- Why and how each organization's Connected Planning implementation journey is crafted to its unique needs

- How a Connected Planning approach can generate benefits in Finance, Sales, Supply Chain, and Human Resources, as well as for the overall organization

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Introduction to Connected Planning in Action

Planning is not just an annual top-down strategy and budgeting exercise. To adapt in a fast-paced world, successful organizations realize that real-time planning activities must happen throughout the organization on an ongoing basis. By leveraging a Connected Planning approach and technology, organizations around the world are finding ways to not only survive, but thrive. In this short lesson, we'll introduce you to the course and to some examples of how Connected Planning is changing the way companies do business.

WEEK 2

A Framework for Connected Planning

In this module, we start with an exploration of how Connected Planning bridges the critical gap that organizations so often face between strategic planning and day-to-day execution of the business. We then cover some key Connected Planning terminology for the course and use it to present a framework for understanding how Connected Planning can be put into action across different functions and planning processes within an organization.

WEEK 3

Connected Planning in the Finance Function

This week, you'll explore ways in which Connected Planning is being implemented within the Finance function of an organization. After an overview of Finance's current and emerging role, we'll cover five key Connected Planning use cases for Finance. For each one, we'll explain the use case, who is involved in executing its planning processes, the value Connected Planning offers, and one or more real-life case studies.

WEEK 4

Connected Planning in the Sales Function

In this module, you'll explores ways in which Connected Planning is being implemented within the Sales function of an organization. After an overview of the role of Sales, we'll cover six key Connected Planning use cases for Sales. For each one, we'll explain the use case, who is involved in executing its planning processes, the value Connected Planning offers, and one or more real-life case studies.

WEEK 5

Connected Planning in the Supply Chain Function

In this module, you'll explores ways in which Connected Planning is being implemented within the Supply Chain function of an organization. After an overview of the role of Supply Chain, we'll cover four key Connected Planning use cases for Supply Chain. For each one, we'll explain the use case, who is involved in executing its planning processes, the value Connected Planning offers, and one or more real-life case studies.

WEEK 6

Connected Planning in the Human Resources Function

In this module, you'll explores ways in which Connected Planning is being implemented within the Human Resources function of an organization. After an overview of the role of Human Resources, we'll cover three key Connected Planning use cases for Human Resources. For each one, we'll explain the use case, who is involved in executing its planning processes, the value Connected Planning offers, and one or more real-life case studies.

WEEK 7

Value Chain View

In this module, we'll take a step back from individual functional groups within an organization and look at how Connected Planning helps deliver organizational value by linking use cases within and across functions. A Value Chain captures a series of planning processes that are commonly linked in support of a strategic imperative. We'll explore some common Connected Planning Value Chains and the strategic imperatives that they support.

WEEK 8

Connected Planning and You Project

Each organization's Connected Planning journey is customized to their business model and their unique needs. While an organization can start with any use case, there should be a logical order to their journey. The final requirements for this course are to complete and submit a project and to complete a peer review for two other learners' projects. In this project you will design a customized implementation journey or Value Chain for the organization where you currently work (or most recently worked). If you do not have experience working in an organization, you will need to interview someone about their organization to complete the project.