[ont.events] Course on Strategic Choice

lorrilee@yunccn.UUCP (Lorrilee McGregor) (09/12/89)

              A 2-Day Course on Strategic Choice

     A practical approach to the management of complexity
          and uncertainity in the urban environment.

Planning and management in the real world have none of the certainities
of text-book cases.  Knowledge is incomplete, values are in dispute, and
the actions of others are often unpredictable.  Even the shape of the
problem may not be apparent at first.  Instead it emerges and evolves,
even as it is being tackled.  Yet decisions are urgently needed and
cannot wait.

The STRATEGIC CHOICE approach is unique in that it offers techniques and
methods that bring analytic help to those who must grapple with this
messy reality.  STRATEGIC CHOICE breaks new ground in linking a
strategic prespective to here-and-now decision-making under the familiar
pressures of urgency, limited resources, and conflicting demands.

STRATEGIC CHOICE is for planners, managers, consultants, and others who
must learn to strike a balance between exploratory actions and decisive
commitments, and be able to respond to opportunities and problems within
a developing framework.

The methods of STRATEGIC CHOICE are visual and interactive.  Supporting
materials include microcomputer software, but much use is made of flip
charts and markers too.  Participants in the course will have plenty of
opportunity to experience this style of working, through realistic
exercises in decision-making in which there are competing pressures to
be managed.

STRATEGIC CHOICE helps decision-makers enhance their personal skills,
not least their collaborative and negotiating skills.  STRATEGIC CHOICE
also provides a set of firmly-grounded principles for organizing group
participation among people with different interests and from different
organizations.

This course will be an outstanding learning experience for the twenty
people who take part in it.  Don't miss this unique opportunity! 
Register today.

The STRATEGIC CHOICE course is being offered once only and will take
place on the campus of York University on Thursday, September 28th and
Friday September 29th.

The timetable is designed around five modules spread over two days.

The course fee - which includes all materials, coffee breaks, two
lunches and a reception - is $ 485.00.  A letter of confirmation, with
further details, will be forwarded upon receipt of your registration.

The course features JOHN FRIEND, author of Planning under Pressure: the
Strategic Choice Approach (pergamon 1987), former staff member of the
Tavistock Institute (London), and now an international consultant in
planning and management with experience in Britain, Canada, USA, Japan
and a number of developing countries.

Please send reply to Mary Bernard/Dianne Zecchino
                     Faculty of Environmental Studies
                     355 Lumbers Building
                     York University
                     4700 Keele Street
                     North York, Ontario  M3J 1P3

computer address:  mary@nccn.yorku.ca