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Accessibility statement
An image to illustrate Managing uncertainty through policy implementation short course
In this CPD course, you'll read case studies and watch videos that illustrate how societal challenges and policies will shape our future societies. You'll also have the opportunity to consider how policies and the broader macroenvironment affect your organisation, and you'll learn to use machine learning software to collect data and evidence.
Policies deeply affect organisations, communities and individuals. With the world in the middle of the worst pandemic in living memory, the role of public policies and the importance of public services in our lives have become clearer than ever.
Organisational strategies are deeply affected by government policies and societal challenges. Governments can change the rules and frameworks in which organisations operate while, as we have seen in the last years, societal challenges are exacerbating and changing. Organisations then need to be flexible enough to respond with their strategies to these changes. Being able to understand the contexts in which organisations are placed is fundamental to their effectiveness. Artificial intelligence, and in particular machine learning, can be used as a tool to do so.
This Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course comprises eight units:
Unit 1: Policies and organisations
The course begins by looking at the definition of policies and how policies can affect organisations’ strategies.
Unit 2: Issues in our society
This unit reflects upon some potential challenges in the post-COVID-19 era and explores in more depth how future challenges can potentially affect organisations.
Unit 3: Policies and the role of evidence
You'll explore the role of evidence and science in informing public policies. It also reflects on how evidence and science can affect organisations.
Unit 4: How to collect evidence
An evidence-based manager uses scientific literature as a means of answering questions, inspiring strategy decisions and forming long-term plans. This unit explores how to be a good evidence-based manager.
Unit 5: Evidence for artificial intelligence and machine learning
This unit reflects on the role of machine learning in providing evidence and provides the opportunity to use a machine learning open software to search and collect evidence.
Unit 6: Artificial intelligence and public policies
You'll explore how artificial intelligence can be used by public sector organisations and governments to address societal issues. In this unit you'll also reflect on the potential risks of misusing artificial intelligence.
Unit 7: Macroenvironment and your organisation
This unit explores the tools and models that can be used to analyse how macroenvironment factors can affect organisations.
Unit 8: Reflecting on your journey
The final unit combines all the information learnt during the course and reflects on your learning journey.
By studying this CPD course, you'll be able to:
Expert, confidential learner support is available when you need it from a learning adviser, who will respond to you directly. Other support is available via the course forum, dedicated website and computing helpdesk.
There is a practice-based assignment (PBA) which you complete at the end of the course to demonstrate how you have applied, or are intending to apply, the theories and models you have learnt. Once completed and successfully passed you will receive a digital badge and a course completion certificate which you can download as a record of your learning.
The course will require around 20 hours to complete.
You can begin at any time during the life of the course and study at your own pace. The course will be open to you for a time period of between 6 and 18 months, depending on your course registration date, and you will be advised of the specific time limitations upon enrolment.
All learning materials, exercises, study support and practice-based assignment are delivered entirely online.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
There are no formal academic requirements.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact us.
The course is delivered online and makes use of a variety of online resources. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in using a computer or the internet you are advised to contact us about support which can be given to meet your needs.
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying BGXC007 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
StartEngland fee
At anytime before 31/07/2026£250
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
If this course is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could ask your employer to sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees. Your sponsor just needs to complete a simple form to confirm how much they will be paying and we will invoice them.
The fee information provided here is valid for short courses starting in the 2026/27 academic year. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
You can start this course anytime.
You can start this course anytime.
Level info