All programs now include an additional module on learning AI tools.

Chief
Operating
Officer (COO) Course
AI Enabled

A comprehensive online programme for Chief Operating Officers (COOs), founders and managers, covering all aspects of operational strategy and business scaling. You will learn how to manage change and risk using AI tools as a key factor in sustainability and operational efficiency improvement.

Lifetime access to materials

January
2026 Last update

Live work with coaches

10 april
start
🚀
of students complete the course
average rating for each module
graduates worldwide
A programme created based on real-world challenges
To ensure that our programme addresses the issues that are critically relevant to modern STOs in 2026
We conducted extensive research on our students and graduates — technical directors from various industries (IT product and service development, outsourcing and outstaffing, banking, fintech, and game development) and countries around the world.
Kano methodology: Мы использовали научный метод для определения самых острых болевых точек и ключевых потребностей рынка.
Result: The Chief Operating Officer programme is not just theory from textbooks. It is the most practical, proven and relevant set of skills required for effective management of a company's operations.
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Who is this programme for?

Transitioning to a director position ALWAYS involves a change in role. You need to stop being a team or project lead/manager and become a director.

It is important to make this transition smoothly, maintaining a balance between the business, teams, and your personal role, and taking into account the growing influence of AI on processes.

Beginning and future COOs

if you are new to the role and want to avoid typical start-up mistakes (chaos in processes, lack of metrics), immediately master a systematic approach.

Experienced COOs

who need to check their skills and decisions against market best practices, systematise their knowledge of risk management and AI implementation.

Companies

who are looking for a training provider for their COOs or want to cultivate new COOs with a focus on strategic thinking and AI competencies.

Stratoplan

16+ years of training
smart people

16+ years in the soft skills market. 80% of students are from IT: from start-ups to giants. 27,000+ graduates worldwide.

We believe that sustainable management skills are formed through regular practice. Our approach is long-term training with a focus on gradual but profound change.

16+

years in the soft skills market

400+

companies train their employees with us

80%

of students are from IT: from start-ups to giants

27K

graduates
worldwide

The "Chief Operating Officer" course is a strategic investment for B2B clients
It is a ready-made, proven solution for the systematic development of management personnel. If you need to ensure the scalability and consistency of your IT function, our programme will give you
Your ROI: Invest in training so that your COO becomes an architect of the operating system — capable of implementing change and ensuring strategy execution.
01
Reliability proven over years: We have been in the soft skills market for over 16 years and are trusted by more than 400 companies that train generations of managers.
03
Sustainability: Your COOs will receive tools for risk and quality management, ensuring operational stability.
03
Ready-made tools: A clear understanding of the value chain and tools for optimising processes, which directly contributes to cost reduction.
Brands
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Companies
that learn from us

What questions do students have when they start training?

You are not alone. All these doubts and concerns are common to all COOs:

Lack of transparency

What exactly is the COO responsible for and what specific expectations does the company have of them?

Lack of skills

Lack of skills and understanding of how to build and scale an operational structure and value chain.

where to start

It is unclear where to start and how to implement changes across the entire company without disruption.

constant feeling

There is a constant feeling that I am not coping with the role of director and am overlooking operational risks.

Resolve requests
AI in operational management
AI is already changing the role of the COO, but are you ready for it? Today, COOs face new challenges:
How can AI be used to optimise business processes and manage risk without losing control?
Can AI be trusted to analyse operational efficiency or predict failures?
Which AI tools really work for automation, and which ones create risks of errors?
How can AI be implemented without harming the operational culture and teams?
Our programme integrates the study of AI into operational management in every aspect. You will be able to consciously implement AI, reducing labour costs and risks, and use it to create a competitive operational advantage.

What to expect from

Chief
Operating
Officer programme

AI Enabled

A practical online programme in a new format: 19 classes on COO specialisation + 4 two-day modules on basic skills + integration of AI topics.

Format: 15 sessions on Thursdays (18:00–21:00 UTC+3) + 4 two-day modules (Saturday/Sunday, 10:00–15:00 UTC+3).
AI focus: Separate broadcasts on AI in management + integration into each module (how AI helps/hinders/creates new precedents).
Content: 35% theory / 65% practice (139 hours in total, 85 core + bonuses).
Only the necessary skills and tools
Support: Live trainers, chat and recordings (lifetime access).
Guarantee: 100% refund until the end of the first week of classes

Last updated: January 2026

Detailed programme

63+ hours of practice
34+ hours of theory
Lesson 1
The role of the COO: Architect of efficiency and the "right hand" of the business
  1. An operations director is not just an executor, but a builder of business systems. We will analyse how to adapt this role to your tasks: from process management to the formation of a competency matrix that will turn you into a full-fledged business partner.

    What will be covered in the lesson:

    • A detailed analysis of the essence and tasks of the COO role: integrator, visionary or crisis manager?
    • Comparison of variations in market roles (product sector vs. outsourcing).

    Practical exercise: creating a matrix of COO competencies and "trying on" the role for your current situation.

    Answers to what questions and what tools you will receive:

    • What is the fundamental difference between a COO and an executive director or Head of Ops?
    • How to design your role to meet the strategic needs of the owner?

    Tools: COO competency matrix and role profile template.

Lesson 2
Stakeholder management: How to manage bosses and their expectations + AI
  1. Your success depends on how satisfied the CEO and shareholders are with the results. We will learn to speak to them in the language of business, how to present "uncomfortable" information correctly, and how to use neural networks to prepare for the most difficult negotiations.

    What will be covered in the session:

    • C-level psychology: how to listen to stakeholders and find arguments that "sell."
    • Managing expectations: how not to promise the impossible and maintain your status as a partner.

    Practice:

    • Preparing for negotiations with CEOs/C-level colleagues.
    • Holding a meeting to manage your manager's expectations.
    • Using AI to prepare for negotiations with stakeholders (prompts).

    Answers to what questions and what tools you will receive:

    • How to make the CEO "happy" by implementing a system that he himself may sabotage?
    • How to present information about failures in a way that maintains trust?

    Tools: stakeholder influence map and meeting preparation plan.

Lesson 3
Non-directive management: How to manage everyone without being everyone's boss + AI
  1. The COO often manages results through people who do not report directly to him. We will explore how to gain authority in the C-suite and control cross-departmental processes through influence rather than orders.

    What will be covered in the session:

    • Methods of non-directive management and gaining authority in matrix structures.
    • Tools for setting tasks and monitoring results without formal subordination.

    Practice: using AI to monitor cross-team projects and automate reports.

    What questions will be answered and what tools will you receive?

    • How to get managers from other departments to comply with your regulations?
    • How can you avoid burning out from micromanagement when you have a huge area of responsibility?

    Tools: non-directive influence algorithm and cross-departmental task monitoring dashboard.

Lesson 4
Building a strategy: The "core" of operational efficiency
  1. A strategy is not a fancy document, but a way to solve key business problems. We will analyse Richard Rumelt's methodology and learn how to distinguish a real strategy from a set of empty slogans and plans.

    What will be covered in the session:

    • Strategy vs. Planning: why classic plans fail in uncertain conditions.
    • The "Core Strategy" methodology: Diagnosis, Guiding Policy, and Coordinated Action.

    Practical exercise: strategic analysis of the current situation in your company.

    What questions will be answered and what tools will you receive:

    • How to formulate a strategy that every employee will understand and accept?
    • What is the difference between strategic and tactical business goals?

    Tools: Rumelt's "Core Strategy" development template.

Lesson 5
Operational strategy: Translating strategy into real processes + AI
  1. Operational strategy determines how exactly a company will deliver on its promises to the market. We will learn how to choose between flexibility and cost using modern modelling tools.

    What will be covered in the session:

    • Forming an operational strategy: rules for choosing a model for business tasks.
    • Cascading corporate strategy to the operational level.

    Workshop: practising modelling operational changes.

    What questions will be answered and what tools will you receive:

    • How to "ground" the company's overall strategy in the daily work of departments?
    • How to choose an operational model depending on market conditions?

    Tools: operational strategy selection matrix.

Lesson 6
Strategy implementation and goal setting: How to turn plans into results
  1. A strategy without execution is a hallucination. We will analyse the GOSPA model and learn how to conduct control and correction sessions that keep the company on the chosen course.

    What will be covered in the session:

    • Strategy implementation using the GOSPA model (Goals, Objectives, Strategies, Plans, Activities).
    • The difference between performance and development goals.

    Practice: conducting status sessions to monitor strategic goals.

    Answers to what questions and what tools you will receive:

    • How to cascade goals so that they are not lost when passed down?
    • How to adjust plans if market conditions change dramatically?

    Tools: GOSPA strategic map template.

Lesson 7
Fundamentals of financial management: How to understand business in numbers + AI
  1. Finance is the lifeblood of business. We will examine the key reports that COOs need to know by heart and learn how to analyse them using AI to see the real state of affairs.

    What will be covered in the session:

    • Analysis of the three main financial reports: P&L, Cash Flow, and Balance Sheet.
    • Key financial performance indicators (margin, liquidity).

    Workshop: using AI for express analysis of financial statements.

    What questions will be answered and what tools will you receive:

    • How to speak the same language as the CEO and CFO about money and profits?
    • How to stop being afraid of spreadsheets and start seeing management decisions behind them?

    Tools: checklist for analysing the financial health of a company.

Lesson 8
Budgeting: How to integrate departments into the overall financial model + AI
  1. The budget is the main tool for implementing strategy. We will learn how to build a budgeting process for the entire company so that each department works towards the overall financial result.

    What will be covered in the session:

    • The budgeting process: from collecting requests to final approval and monitoring implementation.
    • The budget as a tool for monitoring the financial performance of departments.

    Practice: using AI to speed up calculations and cost forecasting.

    What questions will be answered and what tools will you receive:

    • How to build a budgeting process that does not paralyse the work of departments?
    • How to defend budget limits in front of department heads?

    Tools: company annual budget template.

Lesson 9
Financial modelling: How to justify any management decision
  1. Any change must be financially beneficial. We will examine approaches to creating financial models based on unit economics and P&L so that you can quantify the return on investment of any decision.

    What will be covered in the session:

    • Creating financial models based on unit economics: calculating the value of each unit.
    • Comparing "what if" scenarios through financial modelling.

    Practical exercise: calculating the return on investment for a large operational project.

    What questions will be answered and what tools will you receive:

    • How can you prove to shareholders that implementing new software or hiring new people will pay off?
    • How to quantify the risks of operational failures in monetary terms?

    Tools: unit economics calculator and financial model template.

Lesson 10
Operational efficiency: Management through EBITDA
  1. EBITDA is the main indicator of business health for COOs. We will analyse what it consists of, how to influence it, and how to use this indicator to assess the efficiency of all your activities.

    What will be covered in the lesson:

    • What EBITDA is and why COOs are responsible for this indicator.
    • Levers of influence on profit: cost management and operational optimisation.
    • Analysis of practical cases on increasing operating profit.

    Answers to what questions and what tools you will receive:

    • How do your daily decisions affect the company's final financial results?
    • How can you explain to your team the importance of cost optimisation without losing their loyalty?

    Tools: checklist of factors affecting EBITDA.

Lesson 11
Value chain and production management: How to set up the "engine" of your business
  1. The basis of COO work is understanding how an idea turns into money. We will analyse how to build a value chain so that processes do not conflict with each other and production works as efficiently as possible.

    What will be covered in the session:

    • Building a company's value chain: from resource procurement to after-sales service.
    • Analytics and tools for controlling production cycles.

    Practical exercise: designing interaction between departments within a single value chain.

    What questions will be answered and what tools will you receive:

    • How to identify the stages at which the company loses money or time?
    • How to set up seamless interaction between departments?

    Tools: value chain map template and production efficiency audit checklist.

Lesson 12
Forming organisational structures: How to design a company for growth
  1. Organisational structure is the backbone of a business. We will analyse the pros and cons of different models (functional, matrix, divisional) and find the one that will allow your company to grow without losing manageability.

    What will be covered in the session:

    • Analysis of organisational structure types: when a "matrix" helps and when it creates chaos.
    • Designing the optimal structure for your current business strategy.

    Workshop: roadmap for implementing a new organisational structure and working with "resistance".

    What questions will be answered and what tools will you receive:

    • How to understand that the current structure has become "cramped" and it is time to change it?
    • How to implement changes in the structure so that key people do not leave?

    Tools: organisational structure comparison matrix and reorganisation schedule.

Lesson 13
Building business processes: The basis of operational management
  1. Business processes are what make results predictable. We will learn to "see" processes in the chaos of daily tasks, describe them and implement them so that they actually work, rather than gathering dust in regulations.

    What will be covered in the session:

    • Methodology for describing and visualising BP: from flowcharts to modern notations.
    • Where processes save businesses, and where they become harmful bureaucracy.

    Practice: describing a critically important company process using AI tools.

    What questions will be answered and what tools will you receive:

    • How to get employees to follow processes without your personal involvement?
    • How to automate the description and updating of regulations?

    Tools: repository of basic business processes for COO and checklist for implementing a new process.

Lesson 14
Business process optimisation: How to find and eliminate bottlenecks + AI
  1. Any system becomes obsolete over time. We will examine methods for optimising processes and learn about the Process Mining approach, which allows you to see real disruptions in the company's operations through data.

    What will be covered in the session:

    • Lean, TOC, and Process Mining methods for finding losses and bottlenecks.
    • Optimisation criteria and goals: how to understand that a process needs to be addressed.

    Workshop: using AI to analyse process efficiency and find growth points.

    Answers to what questions and what tools you will receive:

    • How to speed up the company's work without increasing staff numbers?
    • How to quantify the benefits of process optimisation for shareholders?

    Tools: algorithm for finding bottlenecks and BP optimisation criteria map.

Lesson 15
Metrics and KPIs: How to manage the entire company through numbers + AI
  1. The COO cannot be everywhere at once, but can see everything through dashboards. We will build a pyramid of metrics that links the operational activities of each department to the final business indicators.

    What will be covered in the session:

    • Building a metrics pyramid: from operational KPIs to strategic goals.
    • Decomposition of indicators by departments and divisions.

    Practice: using AI to analyse anomalies in metrics and predict results.

    What questions will be answered and what tools will you receive:

    • Which metrics are really important for business control, and which are just "white noise"?
    • Can automated systems be trusted to make decisions based on numbers?

    Tools: management dashboard template and KPI cascading algorithm.

Lesson 16
Quality management: How to build a results monitoring system
  1. Quality directly affects cost and sales. We will look at how to create a quality assurance (QA) department and build processes so that errors are corrected at an early stage, rather than on the customer's side.

    What will be covered in the lesson:

    • Forming a quality control service: goals, objectives, and structure.
    • How to implement quality standards that do not slow down production.

    Practice: creating a QA system in an IT product as a benchmark for other areas of business.

    What questions will be answered and what tools will you receive:

    • How to measure the quality of work in "intangible" departments?
    • How does quality affect EBITDA and customer loyalty in figures?

    Tools: plan for deploying a quality control system in the company.

Lesson 17
Procurement management: How to control expenses and contractors
  1. The COO is responsible for ensuring that the company does not overpay. We will learn how to select contractors, set up strict control over their work, and manage procurement as a strategic function.

    What will be covered in the session:

    • Types of contracts with contractors and rules for selecting them.
    • Setting up a control system: how to pay only for actual results.

    Practical training: negotiations with suppliers and building a contractor evaluation system.

    What questions will be answered and what tools will you receive:

    • How to negotiate the best terms without compromising on quality?
    • How to build a transparent procurement process that prevents abuse?

    Tools: contractor audit checklist and contract type selection matrix.

Lesson 18
Risk management: How to protect your company from uncertainty + AI
  1. When you manage an entire company in a non-directive manner, the ability to anticipate risks is your only shield. We will examine a systematic approach to identifying and preventing threats using analytics and AI.

    What will be covered in the session:

    • Classification of business risks: operational, financial, reputational.
    • Methods for quantitative and qualitative risk assessment.

    Workshop: using AI for scenario planning and searching for hidden threats.

    What questions will be answered and what tools will you receive:

    • How to create an early risk warning system in your company?
    • Which risks can be accepted and which need to be hedged at all costs?

    Tools: company risk register and probability and impact matrix.

Lesson 19
Implementing change: How to overcome resistance and achieve results
  1. Any system strives for stability and resists change. We will examine the psychology of change and proven models (ADKAR, Kotter) to ensure that your reforms reach their conclusion and do not get bogged down in sabotage.

    What will be covered in the session:

    • The psychology of resistance: why people fear your reforms (even useful ones).
    • Models for implementing change: step-by-step algorithms for COO.

    Practice: developing a communication plan when launching a major organisational change.

    What questions will be answered and what tools will you receive:

    • How to work with key stakeholders who are saboteurs?
    • How to make change part of the culture, rather than a one-off event?

    Tools: change management plan and resistance management matrix.

And also

4 modules on basic leadership skills at any management level

Module 1
The role of a leader: Synchronising expectations and the cultural code of business
  1. COOs often find themselves between a rock (the CEO/owner) and a hard place (the team). We will examine how to form a unified set of expectations and why understanding corporate culture is 50% of the success of any operational reforms. What will be covered in the session:
    • Social contract: how COOs can negotiate with CEOs and shareholders on the boundaries of authority and areas of influence.
    • Adizes' PAEI model: diagnosing your style and auditing the management "vitamins" that your organisation is lacking.
    • Cultural landscape: how to implement operational standards, taking into account the company's DNA (4 types of cultures).
    Result:
    • How to identify the hidden goals of stakeholders that may block your changes?
    • How to step into the role and gain credibility from the teams you manage non-directively?
    Tools: stakeholder map and company cultural code diagnostic questionnaire.
Module 2
Operational management: Delegating responsibility and controlling
  1. Your task is to build a system that works on its own. We will analyse how to stop "manually" pushing processes and move to management through levels of responsibility and a system of "safeguards". What will be covered in the class:
    • Accountable vs Responsible: how to transparently distribute responsibility among department heads.
    • Levels of delegation: a technique for transferring autonomy to managers without losing control over the final result.
    • Controlling infrastructure: creating a system of control points that eliminates micromanagement and "manual control".
    Result:
    • How to free yourself up for strategy by transferring operations to middle management?
    • How to build a reporting system that highlights problems before they affect profits and processes?
    Tools: responsibility delegation matrix and checklist for designing a controlling system.
Module 3
Working with people: Profiling and motivating key employees
  1. To manage performance, you need to understand the psychology of those who deliver it. We will look at how to diagnose the potential of your direct reports and build a motivation system that retains talent. What will be covered in the session:
    • Psychological portrait (Big Five,
    • Psychological profiling (Big Five, Dark Triad): predicting behaviour under pressure.
    • Motivation drivers: Schwartz values and non-financial incentives.
    • AI in HR tasks: building objective competency profiles.
    Result:
    • Developmental feedback without burning out top and middle managers.
    • A systematic and unbiased approach to competency assessment.
    Tools: constructive feedback script, competency assessment model.
Module 4
Conflicts and negotiations: The technology of constructive confrontation
  1. Conflicts at the COO level are conflicts over resources, priorities, and influence. This module focuses on defending business interests without escalation or loss of control. What will be covered in the session:
    • Rational approach: separating personal ambitions from business interests.
    • Emotional control: maintaining clarity in high-pressure negotiations.
    • Resolving systemic conflicts between departments.
    Result:
    • Resolving power and status conflicts without escalation.
    • Using AI to predict counterpart behaviour in negotiations.
    Tools: rational conflict resolution algorithm, “Constructive Confrontation” technique.

Schedule

Calendar Calendar
Calendar Calendar
Calendar Calendar
Calendar Calendar
Calendar Calendar
XX

COO course specialization days on PT
from 18:00 to 21:00 UTC+3

XX

Days of common modules on Saturdays and Sundays
from 10:00 to 15:00 UTC:+3

Couches

Praht
will help you speak to the business in the language of money and risk, integrating technology planning with the company's financial model.
Александр Апазиди
научит проводить аудит оргструктуры, управлять качеством, рисками и повышать операционную эффективность через оптимизацию процессов
Кирилл Линник
научит разрабатывать, оценивать и контролировать бюджеты, принимая обоснованные финансовые решения на уровне директора
Korchinsky
will help you master techniques for building constructive communication and strengthening leadership positions at the director level.
Savochka
will teach you how to build highly effective teams capable of implementing ambitious strategies without losing energy
Guarantee and human approach
100% refund until the end of the first module if the programme does not suit you for any reason.
We understand that life is unpredictable
We know that we are all human and that unforeseen circumstances can happen to anyone (illness, relocation, urgent project, personal crisis). In such cases, we never stand aside. If you are unable to continue your studies for a valid reason, we do not simply cancel your access. We work with you individually to decide how to proceed in your situation
We are always ready to meet you halfway 
Register

FAQ

1000 and 1 doubt

It's a bit expensive, and there are other programmes on the market. Why choose yours?

All of our programmes require an investment from you: financial, time, and quality effort. Read other announcements — perhaps other courses will suit you better and provide what you need in a higher quality. But what we can guarantee is that the "Team" course is aimed at real-life change. We are not about certificates and formal knowledge.

Here are a few simple ways to check if we are right for you:

  1. You can find student contacts under the programme reviews and ask them personally.
  2. Check out the complete guide to choosing training programmes and evaluate us on all points
  3. Ask your colleagues at work what they know about Stratoplan. Our experience shows that in 90% of cases, someone in your company is already our graduate.
  4. Want to form your own opinion? Come to our open live broadcasts and demo classes. Try it out, ask questions, and see if the course is right for you.

What if the course is not suitable for me or I am unable to continue my studies for other reasons?

All students in the programme undergo an introductory interview before the start of classes. The goal is to understand how well your needs can be met by this course and its format. If, after the interview, you and the School's expert decide that the programme is not for you, we will refund 100% of your payment. No strings attached.

We also understand that we are all human and that circumstances can affect us. If you are unable to continue your studies, we always try to accommodate our clients by offering them the option to freeze the process and transfer to another School stream or receive a refund.

Choose the payment option
that suits you best

and join the course today!

Basic access
For whom
Basic training
What's included
  • Access to the entire programme + Bonuses
  • + Chat with moderators
Installment period
Up to 7 payments
... €
3 700 €
Training with a Curator
For whom
For those who need structure and support (Most popular)
What's included
  • + Weekly calls
  • and prompt feedback from your personal tutor
Installment period
Up to 7 payments
2250 €
4 625 €
Training with a Coach
For whom
For those who require deep immersion and individual work with an expert
What's included
  • + Monthly individual meetings with the course trainer
Installment period
Up to 7 payments
2250 €
7 400 €
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