USC Center for Effective Organizations

2026 Strategic Org Design Certificate Program
2026-03-03 08:00 - 2026-05-21 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Comprehensive Two-Part Strategic Org Design Certificate Program (Enrollment Includes both Workshops)

Part 1: Strategic Organization Design Workshop (3/3/26-3/6/26)
Part 2 (Part 1 is a Prerequisite): Strategic Organization Design Activation Workshop (5/19/26-5/21/26)
Complete both the Strategic Organization Design Workshop and the Strategic Organization Design Activation Workshop to earn your Certificate in Strategic Organization Design.

About the Strategic Organization Design Workshop
Deepen your understanding and sharpen your skills: Organizational design is a cornerstone of competitive advantage and performance. The ability to design organizations that are efficient enough to drive performance and flexible enough to sustain advantage is a fundamental capability in today’s dynamic and competitive environment. Dynamic strategies call for new organizational forms that pose complex new design challenges at all levels and in all sub-systems of the organization.
This workshop provides participants with the principles, frameworks, and tools of organization design for those who wish to develop a deeper understanding of the topic. It also addresses the ever-increasing challenges created by a growing digital economy where work, change, and design issues are merging.
Attendees might include:

Human Resource Professionals
Human Resource Business Partners
Human Resource COE Professionals
Line Managers and Design Teams
Internal Corporate Consultants
Organization Development Professionals
Talent Management, Total Rewards, HR Operations
Internal Consultants

About the Strategic Organization Design Activation Workshop
Some of the more difficult design challenges occur after the organization chart has been communicated. Activating a design successfully, that results in sustainable competitive advantage, is a formidable task.
In this highly interactive, practical program, participants will learn how to apply and leverage activation-related frameworks in addition to the frameworks and tools learned in the Strategic Organization Design workshop. Real life case studies will be used to highlight applications.
Participants will learn how to:

Integrate organization design with business model frameworks
Apply a systems-thinking approach to activation
Orchestrate identification and activation of effective lateral connections
Address micro-design challenges related to management processes, rewards, and people
Ensure effective design governance and change management to activate and sustain the changes
Understand how to influence and manage design fatigue and resistance
This course is especially beneficial for individuals or teams who are currently working on design activation.

Attendees are eligible to earn up to 15 SHRM PDCs (Professional Development Credits).

Click here to download a justification email template.

University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination
This program is open to all eligible individuals. The Center for Effective Organizations operates all of its programs and activities consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.
Individuals with disabilities who need accommodations to attend this event may contact Vivian Jimenez. We request that individuals requiring accommodations or auxiliary aids such as sign language interpreters and alternative format materials notify us at least 7 days prior to the event. Every reasonable effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations in an effective and timely manner.

LOCATION:
Caruso Center
844 W 32nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90007

INSTRUCTORS:
Chris Worley
Beth Gunderson
Liz Vales Damron

Registration Deadline
February 9, 2026
Pricing (Enrollment Includes both Org Design & Org Design Activation Workshops)
Non-Sponsor: $11,695Sponsor: $9,470 (use your sponsor discount code at checkout)
Discount
When signing up for the Strategic Organization Design Certificate Program, groups of three or more from the same Non-Sponsor company will receive a 10% discount. Contact Vivian Jimenez to receive this discount.
Qualifications
Although this workshop provides a broad overview and hands-on tools, it is designed for people with some grounding in organization design issues.
Cancellations

On or before 2/9/26 the cancellation fee is $250.00.
From 2/10/26 to 2/23/26, 50% of the fee will be refunded.
Registration fees are non-refundable for cancellations received after 2/23/26 and for no-shows.

Register Here

WORKSHOP INSTRUCTORS

CHRISTOPHER G. WORLEY, Ph.D.

Research Professor of Management
Pepperdine University &
CEO Affiliated Senior Research Scientist

BETH GUNDERSON

CEO Affiliate Practitioner &
Minikahda Partners

LIZ VALES DAMRON

Principal at Liz Vales Consulting
