At Instep we pride ourselves in taking every piece of feedback for learners and clients on board. It plays an essential role in the enhancement and development of all our current and future training programmes.
This ensures they continue to match the exacting needs of those in the classroom and the organisations they work for.
Recently this invaluable insight led to the creation of two new strategic leadership training programmes for women in analytical, data and leadership roles.
The first is Women Who Decide and the second Women Shaping Insight.
In this blog we wanted to share a bit more information about what learners and clients can expect from our first new addition (Women Who Decide). Delving a bit further into the details on the programme’s objectives, structure and modules.
Don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten the second Women Shaping Insight. We will impart further insight into this programme in our next blog.
Women Who Decide – in summary:
This forward-thinking programme is the latest addition to our highly regarded Women in Leadership Series.
Fully aligned to the Level 4 Business Analyst standard, it has been designed to develop leaders who can apply Business Analysis to make informed decisions, guide change, and deliver measurable organisational value.
Women Who Decide will provide learners with the skills needed to shift thinking from delivery to value. Its aim is to create professionals who can influence decisions and outcomes in practice.
As well as developing awareness of digital trends, AI, and innovation, enabling learners to identify opportunities for improvement and support modern organisational change.
How does Instep’s programme differ from others?
We believe that business analysis programmes that are informed by lived experience strengthen leadership capability and drive lasting organisational success. This is a gap that no other training programme fills.
Women Who Decide integrates evidence-based research on the structural challenges faced by women in analytical leadership roles and data-led environments. From the Authority Gap, the Double Bind, Emotional Labour, Attribution Gaps, and Resilience Under Career Adversity. This is not delivered as a bolt-on, but as a core curriculum woven into business analysis and data content.
A series of masterclasses facilitated by women with proven sector success and dedicated lived experience will run alongside the analytical learning, creating authentic role models and mentorship moments,
Additionally, the programme has been designed to build a supportive cohort community where learners actively contribute and amplify each other’s work and a network that extends well beyond the learning journey’s end date.
What is the benefit for learners?
This is a programme about equipping women with the analytical capability, strategic thinking, and intelligence to lead with impact. But also, with the skills to navigate the environment they actually operate in.
The aim is to provide learners with the structure, discipline, and thinking required to lead with greater clarity and confidence.
Over six masterclasses learners will progress from foundational knowledge to advanced application, acquiring the skills needed to:
- Define organisational problems and opportunities with clarity
- Make informed, evidence-based decisions aligned to strategic priorities
- Strengthen alignment between strategy and delivery
- Engage and influence stakeholders effectively — including navigating gender dynamics
- Reduce the risk of misdirected or low-value change
- Focus on measurable outcomes and benefits realisation
How will this benefit organisations?
The expected outcomes from the Women Who Decide programme includes the ability to:
- Apply business analysis to real organisational challenges – confidently applying core techniques across the full change lifecycle; clearly defining problems, identify opportunities, and structure analysis activities; and translating business needs into actionable, value-driven solutions.
- Make informed, evidence-based decisions – evaluating options using structured analysis and critical thinking; developing and presenting well-reasoned, commercially sound recommendations; and using data and insight to reduce risk and support decision-making.
- Influence stakeholders and build alignment – navigating the Authority Gap and Double Bind with practical, evidence-based strategies; building coalitions and sponsoring relationships to amplify analytical recommendations; and managing differing perspectives and achieving shared understanding.
- Drive value, visibility and benefits realisation – linking analysis activities to measurable organisational outcomes; documenting contributions clearly to ensure analytical impact is recognised and attributed; and maintaining focus on sustainable business benefits over time.
- Demonstrate resilient analytical leadership – taking ownership and accountability with confidence, initiative and professional judgement; building long-term resilience and career architecture that doesn’t depend on linear progression; and operating as a future-ready leader with AI capability, commercial awareness, and community support.
Who will deliver the training?
The modules will be delivered by Instep’s team of expert, highly-qualified trainers and led by practitioners with in-depth, first-hand experience of key sectors including local authorities, manufacturing, and retail.
How long does the programme run for?
Women Who Decide is a 15-month learning journey. Learners will apply their learning to a live impact project, ensuring immediate value creation and measurable organisational outcomes.
Is there an exam or assessment at the end of the programme?
A three-month End-Point Assessment will be conducted.
If you are looking for further information on, or have any questions regarding Women Who Decide, the Women in Leadership Series or any other of our training programmes, please contact the team on enquiries@instepuk.com .
