What is the Certified IT Strategic Planner?

The Certified IT Strategic Planner is a globally recognised professional certification by the Global Leadership Institute (GLI), designed to equip professionals with advanced competencies in Leadership & Management.

How long does this certification take?

The programme is 10 Weeks and can be completed at your own pace through our self-paced online option, or alongside live virtual sessions.

Is this certification globally recognised?

Yes. GLI certifications are internationally recognised and carry CPD credits, making them valuable for career advancement worldwide.

What level is this certification?

This is a Advanced Level certification, suitable for professionals with relevant experience or background in the field.

You can enrol by emailing info@certifications.ac, contacting us via WhatsApp at +254 722 223 084, or filling the enrolment form below.

Certified IT Strategic Planner (CITSP)

Executive Summary

Certified IT Strategic Planner

Designed for today’s high-impact professionals, the Certified IT Strategic Planner (CITSP) delivers a rigorous Advanced-level curriculum that equips participants with the knowledge, tools and frameworks needed to excel in information technology, software, data and digital systems.

This 10 Weeks programme is structured around ITIL, ISO/IEC and recognised technology and cybersecurity standards, ensuring every graduate applies internationally validated methods to real-world challenges.

GLI’s CITSP holders are recognised by leading organisations across Africa, the Gulf, Europe and the Americas as qualified, results-driven professionals. Whether you are advancing your current career or transitioning into new responsibilities, this certification provides the competitive edge you need in 2026 and beyond.

Programme Overview

Certification at a Glance

Certification

Certified IT Strategic Planner

Acronym

CITSP

Who Should Enrol?

IT and Systems Professionals
Software Developers and Engineers
Data and Analytics Specialists
IT Managers and Solution Architects

Programme Inclusions

Everything Included in Your Enrolment

All study materials and study guide
Access to GLI online learning portal
Online examination and assessment
Digital certificate and digital badge
Physical certificate (shipped to you)
CPD credits for professional bodies
GLI alumni network membership
Facilitator and tutor support
Resource downloads and reference library
Automatic enrolment confirmation

Certification Benefits

Why This Certification Matters for Your Career

Leadership Capability

Develop the strategic and operational skills to lead complex information technology functions

Career Advancement

Accelerate your career towards senior engineering, architecture and IT leadership roles

Strategic Thinking

Build the strategic thinking, analysis and execution skills of world-class leaders

Organisational Impact

Design and implement information technology systems that drive performance and measurable results

Personal Excellence

Develop emotional intelligence, resilience and authentic executive presence

Global Employability

Qualify for information technology roles across technology firms, corporates, startups and public institutions worldwide

Competency Framework

Core Competencies You Will Develop

✦Business-IT Alignment

✦IT Capability Assessment

✦IT Investment Planning

✦Data Strategy Planning

✦AI and Emerging Technology Planning

✦IT Performance Metrics

Course Curriculum

Programme Modules

The full programme, module by module.

Core CurriculumModules 1–20 · specific to Certified IT Strategic Planner · module 20 is the capstone

1

IT Strategic Planning Foundations

Demand planning, forecasting and the distortion of signals · Demand planning and sales and operations planning · Capacity, workload and resource coordination · IT service management: availability, incidents and the service desk

2

Business-IT Alignment

Onboarding, probation and exit · IT strategy and business alignment · Learning strategy and business alignment · Technology and digital strategy: alignment, portfolio and roadmap

3

IT Environment Assessment

Organisational maturity, assessment and improvement programmes · Control environment and risk assessment · Taxation: obligations, computation and dispute · Leadership development: designing programmes that transfer

4

Technology Portfolio Analysis

IT governance, decision rights and the technology portfolio · Technology strategy and architecture choices · Training needs analysis and learning strategy · Managing vendors, partners and external relationships

5

IT Capability Assessment

Maturity and capability assessment · Assessment that measures capability · Variation: common cause, special cause and process control · L&D maturity assessment

6

IT Demand Planning

Strategic workforce planning and demand forecasting · Demand planning and forecasting · Demand and supply planning (S&OP) · Pipeline management, forecasting and CRM discipline

7

Enterprise Technology Priorities

Systems architecture: components, integration and coupling · Supply chain systems, data and visibility · Capstone scoping: a real agricultural problem or enterprise · Executive and board-level coaching

8

IT Investment Planning

Investment strategy and allocation · ESG, sustainability reporting and corporate responsibility · Corporate secretarial practice and statutory filings · Investment appraisal and the cost of capital

9

Digital Infrastructure Planning

Digital financial services, mobile money and agent networks · Cloud, infrastructure and the operating decisions behind them · Infrastructure planning for water and mechanisation · Digital advisory, e-extension and mobile services

10

Application Portfolio Strategy

Corporate social responsibility and sustainability · Corporate responsibility and community · Corporate income tax computation · Pricing, contribution and product decisions

11

Data Strategy Planning

Data warehousing and data lakes · Field data collection: tools, enumerators and data quality at source · Data, analytics and AI strategy · Baseline surveys and data collection tools

12

Cybersecurity Strategy Planning

Pricing strategy · Key account management strategy · Translating insight into strategy · Security risk assessment and proportionate response

13

Cloud Strategy Planning

Brand strategy, identity and architecture · Service strategy, design and transition · Collections strategy · Cloud, infrastructure and the connectivity constraint

14

AI and Emerging Technology Planning

Emerging-technology evaluation · Learning strategy and roadmaps · Workplace wellbeing strategy · Technology projects: why they fail and what changes the odds

15

IT Governance

Procurement governance, ethics and public accountability · Internal audit: assurance, independence and adding value · Project governance and assurance · Employment compliance, contracts and workforce risk

16

Technology Risk Planning

Implementation planning and risk management · Risk-based audit planning · Risk management planning · Risk appetite and enterprise risk

17

IT Performance Metrics

Project KPIs and performance metrics · System performance and reliability metrics · Warehouse performance metrics · Risk and control effectiveness metrics

18

IT Roadmap Development

Reward strategy and total reward frameworks · Wellbeing and holistic health strategy · Growth strategy: organic, M&A and partnerships · Coaching and developing team members

19

IT Strategy Review

Treatment planning and review · Aligning teams around strategy · Turning strategy into results · 360-degree feedback and leadership assessment

20

IT Strategic Plan Capstone

Designing a sourcing or supply strategy · Category management and strategy development · Supplier segmentation and relationship strategy · Procurement strategy: what to buy, how, and from whom

Professional ElectivesModules 21–30 · common to all GLI certifications · broaden your professional range

21

Strategic Communication and Executive Presentation

Vision, purpose and translating direction into work · Audience-centred communication and message structure · Executive leadership: the board interface and enterprise stewardship · Persuasive structure: framing, evidence and the ask

22

Leadership and Team Effectiveness

Leadership identity, style and the limits of style · Leadership assessment, feedback and continuous self-review · What critical reasoning is and what it is not · Situational and adaptive leadership

23

Analytical Thinking and Evidence-Based Reasoning

Creativity and critical-thinking development · Analytical techniques and bias · Evidence-based improvement · Problem framing: symptoms, definition and scope

24

Professional Decision-Making

Managerial decision-making, bias and decision rights · Escalation and decision-making · Decision support: briefs, options and judgement under pressure · Decision frameworks: criteria, weighting and trade-offs

25

Negotiation, Influence and Stakeholder Management

Negotiation preparation: interests, options and the walk-away · Power, followership and organisational politics · Negotiation: preparation, interests and value creation · Concessions, anchoring and the shape of a bargain

26

Project and Execution Management

Proposals, bids and the business case · Project roles and the project manager · Developing the project business case · Planning, scheduling and personal workflow systems

27

Financial Literacy for Professionals

Financial reporting standards and their application · Financial management for the operating manager · Liquidity, funding and balance sheet management · Management accounting: costing, budgeting and decision support

28

Digital Skills, AI and Technology for Professionals

Digital workplace, collaboration and user support · Productivity, collaboration and workflow tools · Tools for interaction and collaboration · Working with data: quality, interpretation and honest presentation

29

Ethics, Governance and Professional Accountability

Ethical leadership: integrity, tolerated behaviour and moral courage · Ethics, conduct and speaking up · Business development risk, ethics and integrity · AI for managers: adoption, oversight and governance

30

Personal Effectiveness, Productivity and Career Growth

Emotional competence: awareness, regulation and expression · Self-awareness, strengths and the accuracy of self-image · Emotional intelligence and self-regulation · Priority: outcomes, importance and the urgency trap

Every module opens in the learning portal with its full lesson set, worked examples, further reading and video masterclasses. 30 modules · 150 lessons.

Learning Outcomes

What You Will Achieve

Business-IT Alignment — applied to your own work
IT Environment Assessment — applied to your own work
Technology Portfolio Analysis — applied to your own work
IT Capability Assessment — applied to your own work
IT Demand Planning — applied to your own work
Enterprise Technology Priorities — applied to your own work

Enrolment Process

How to Get Certified

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Step 1: Choose Your Certification

You are viewing Certified IT Strategic Planner — one of GLI's 1,990+ globally recognised professional certifications.

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Step 2: Enrol & Pay Online — Instantly

Click Enrol & Study Online to register and pay securely via Paystack, Visa, Mastercard, M-Pesa or bank transfer. Access is granted the moment payment is confirmed.

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Step 3: Study in the GLI Learning Portal

Work through 30 structured modules and 150 lessons at your own pace, with downloadable resources and expert-designed content — all inside the LMS.

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Step 4: Pass, Get Certified & Verified

Sit your final examination online, earn your certificate instantly, and receive a globally verifiable Certificate ID — plus GLI Alumni Network access.

🎓 Enrol & Study Online — Instant Access

Secure checkout · Instant LMS access · Globally verifiable certificate

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

What is the CITSP certification?

The Certified IT Strategic Planner is a professional certification awarded by the Global Leadership Institute. It covers 20 core modules specific to IT Strategic Planner, culminating in the capstone “IT Strategic Plan Capstone”, plus 10 professional elective modules common to all GLI certifications. Candidates study through the online portal, submit the capstone project and sit a final examination; those who pass receive a verifiable certificate carrying a unique certificate ID.

Who should enrol in the CITSP?

This certification is ideal for IT and Systems Professionals, Software Developers and Engineers, Data and Analytics Specialists and IT Managers and Solution Architects, and other professionals seeking to formalise their expertise in information technology, software, data and digital systems with a globally recognised credential.

How long does the CITSP certification take to complete?

The programme is structured over 10 Weeks and offers flexible learning modes. Self-paced learners can progress at their own schedule, while live virtual participants follow a structured cohort schedule with facilitator-led sessions.

Is the CITSP internationally recognised?

Yes. GLI certifications are recognised across 100+ countries and are aligned with ITIL, ISO/IEC and recognised technology and cybersecurity standards. Graduates receive a digital certificate, a physical certificate and CPD credits recognised by employers worldwide.

What is the cost of the CITSP certification?

The Certified IT Strategic Planner is offered in two formats: Self-Paced at USD 449 and Live Virtual at USD 649. Corporate group rates are available for organisations enrolling 5 or more participants. Contact GLI for a bespoke corporate training quotation.

What does the CITSP certification include?

Enrolment includes all study materials and study guides, access to GLI's online learning portal, online examination, digital certificate and badge, physical certificate (posted), CPD credits, GLI alumni network membership, and ongoing facilitator support.

What is the assessment format for the CITSP?

The Certified IT Strategic Planner is assessed through an online examination consisting of multiple-choice questions, case study analysis, and practical application assignments. The assessment is designed to evaluate real-world competency, not just theoretical recall.

What CPD credits do I earn from the CITSP?

The Certified IT Strategic Planner carries Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits, which can be applied towards professional body requirements including recognised international professional associations.

Can I study the CITSP while working full-time?

Absolutely. The self-paced option is designed for busy working professionals and allows you to study when and where it suits you. Live virtual sessions are typically scheduled in the evenings or on weekends to accommodate professional commitments.

What career outcomes can I expect from the CITSP?

Graduates progress towards senior engineering, architecture and IT leadership roles. The CITSP strengthens your expertise in information technology, software, data and digital systems and positions you for advancement across technology firms, corporates, startups and public institutions.

Graduate Voices

What Our Alumni Say

“

The curriculum was directly applicable to my daily work. I immediately applied what I learned and saw results within weeks of completing the programme.

IT Director

Private Sector

“

GLI's certification is the most practical professional programme I have attended. The international frameworks gave me credibility with my employer and clients.

Solutions Architect

NGO Sector

“

I earned my CITSP while working full-time. The self-paced format made it possible, and the quality of the content is genuinely world-class.

Data Lead

Government

Certified IT Strategic Planner

Certified IT Strategic Planner

Certification at a Glance

Who Should Enrol?

Everything Included in Your Enrolment

Why This Certification Matters for Your Career

Core Competencies You Will Develop

Programme Modules

What You Will Achieve

How to Get Certified

Common Questions

What Our Alumni Say

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