Wargaming and Strategy draft

Program Overview

King's College London's "Wargaming and Strategy" CPD course provides a comprehensive overview of wargaming as a strategic analysis tool. Through five modules, participants explore strategic theory, wargaming methodology, and its applications in various fields, including defense, business, and policy-making. The course utilizes a blended learning approach with online modules, discussion forums, and expert guidance, and offers flexible self-paced learning with three months of access to materials.

Program Outline

Degree Overview

Wargaming and Strategy

is a 5-hour online Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course offered by King's College London. It delves into the potential of wargaming as a tool for strategic analysis.

Objectives:

• Understand the history of wargaming.
• Learn key concepts of strategic choice theory.
• Identify the unique features of wargaming.
• Analyze professional applications of wargaming.
• Implement wargaming as an analytical tool in various organizations.

Description:

The course addresses two crucial aspects of strategy: understanding victory and navigating the choices of others. It explores wargaming's history, methodology, and application to strategic analysis. Through five modules, participants gain a comprehensive overview of strategic theory and the complexities of wargaming.

Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Wargaming

• Understanding wargaming's history and origins.
• Exploring the different types of wargames.
• Identifying the key features and characteristics of wargaming.

Module 2: Strategic Theory

• Delving into the core principles of strategic choice.
• Analyzing the role of uncertainty and information in decision-making.

Module 3: Wargaming as a Method

• Examining the strengths and limitations of wargaming.
• Learning how to design and conduct effective wargames.
• Exploring the use of wargaming in various fields, including military, business, and policy-making.

Module 4: Wargaming in Practice

• Investigating real-world examples of wargaming applications.
• Analyzing the benefits and challenges of using wargaming in professional settings.
• Understanding how to evaluate the effectiveness of wargames.

Module 5: Wargaming and Research

• Discovering how wargaming can contribute to research in different disciplines.
• Learning how to use wargaming as a data collection tool.
• Analyzing the ethical considerations of using wargaming in research.

Assessment

The course utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Formative assessments: regular quizzes and exercises to solidify understanding of key concepts.
• Summative assessments: an end-of-course project to demonstrate the application of wargaming knowledge and skills.
The specific criteria for each assessment will be provided within the course platform.

Teaching

The course utilizes a blended learning approach, incorporating:

• Online modules: self-paced learning materials with video lectures, readings, and interactive activities.
• Expert guidance: support from the course instructor, David Banks, a lecturer in Wargaming.
This diverse approach allows for a dynamic and engaging learning experience.

Careers

While the course focuses on the theoretical and practical aspects of wargaming, it also opens doors to various potential career paths. The ability to analyze strategic situations, develop effective strategies, and utilize wargaming as a tool can be valuable in fields like:

• Defense and security: contributing to strategic planning, threat analysis, and crisis response.
• Business and management: assisting in strategic decision-making, product development, and risk assessment.
• Policy and research: analyzing policy options, conducting scenario planning, and evaluating policy outcomes.

Other

• The course is open to all learners with a minimum IELTS level of 6 for optimal comprehension of spoken and written content.