Course material

1. (Mt) – ASU Important Aspects of Strategic Management Questions
Unformatted Preview Strategic Planning Assignment Kindly note that: – All points are to be
discussed in 3000 to 4000 words. – Plagiarism (copy and paste from the internet or other
resources) should not exceed 20%. – No PDFs will be accepted. You have successfully
gained a junior management role in the UK in an organisation called Vista, which is a multi-
national company. This is an interesting time for the business as it has decided to review its
mission, vision and strategic direction. In this process the Board wishes to involve staff at
various levels in the organisation and it has established a series of teams which will look at
the strategy and feedback their work to the Board. You have been asked to join Team
Singapore which is comprised of staff from across the company. It will work virtually before
meeting in Singapore for a final face to face session. This is an exciting opportunity for your
personal and career development and you are keen to make the most of it. Task 1 In
preparation for the first virtual meeting you decide to make detailed notes in which you: • •
• explain organisational vision, mission, strategy and business plans and the relationships
between them explain how external factors affect organisations and how changes in the
external environment affect organisational strategy evaluate how stakeholder expectations
influence organisations LO1 AC 1.1 LO2 AC 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 Task 2 © ATHE LTD 2016 05112016
Version 1.0 At the first virtual meeting of the team all members have been asked to make an
individual contribution, which will be circulated to other team members prior to the next
meeting. Your task is to provide a document which: • analyses the mission and vision
statements of named organisations. To gain a merit grade you must have a further section in
the document which: • evaluates the impact of a named organisation’s vision and mission
on its strategy. To gain a distinction grade you must add another section to the document
which: • analyses how external influences affect organisational strategy in a named
organisation. LO 1 AC 1.2, 1M1, 2D1 Task 3 Following the virtual meeting you have been
asked to review an organisation’s strategy and business plans as this may influence thinking
for Vista’s future direction. Produce a presentation with accompanying notes which: • •
explains the importance of review in developing organisational strategy and business plans.
evaluates the tools which can be used to review organisational strategy and business plans
To gain a merit grade your presentation must also: • review the position of an organisation
in its current market using appropriate tools. To gain a distinction grade your presentation
must also: • analyse the competitive strengths and weaknesses of an organisation’s current
business strategy and business plans. LO3 AC 3.1, 3.2, 3M1, 3D1 Task 4 © ATHE LTD 2016
05112016 Version 1.0 Whilst completing the above tasks your team has decided that there

2. is clearly a number of strategic options to consider. With this in mind you decide to model
strategy options for a smaller organisation as an illustration. Produce a document for
circulation which develops: • • strategy options for a chosen organisation, using modelling
tools criteria for reviewing the potential strategy options. To gain a merit grade you must
also: • apply the criteria and evaluate the options for delivering the strategic direction of the
organisation you have chosen. LO4 AC 4.1, 4.2, 4M1 Task 5 The Board has decided that the
meeting in Singapore should take place and you have received your travel and
accommodation documents. The agenda for the meeting will include how to create a
strategic plan. In preparation for this critical meeting you decide to produce a file for your
own use. The file will: • • • explain the structure of a plan needed to deliver the strategy
explain how stakeholders are involved in the formulation of the plan provide a
dissemination process to ensure stakeholders are informed and committed to the plan. To
gain a merit grade you must also: • create monitoring systems to ensure the successful
implementation of a strategic plan. To gain a distinction grade you must also: • construct a
strategic plan for a named organisation. LO5 AC 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 5M1, 5D1 © ATHE LTD 2016
05112016 Version 1.0 Guidelines for assessors The assignments submitted by learners
must achieve the learning outcomes and meet the standards specified by the assessment
criteria for the unit. To achieve a merit or distinction grade, the learners must demonstrate
that they have achieved all the criteria set for these grades. Where work for the pass
standard is marginal, assessors can take account of any extension work completed by the
learners. The suggested evidence listed below is how learners can demonstrate that they
have met the required standards. Task number 1. LOs and AC LO1 AC 1.1 & LO2 AC 2.1, 2.2,
2.3 2. LO1 AC 1.2 & 1 M1, 2D1 © ATHE LTD 2016 05112016 Version 1.0 Suggested evidence
PASS The learner must give a clear explanation of the terms which are listed in AC 1.1
differentiating between them and explaining their interrelationship. The learner should
provide an evaluation of how stakeholder expectations can influence organisational
strategic planning looking at the evidence from different perspectives and making valid
conclusions. The explanation of the affect of external factors and how changes in the
environment impact on organisations must be detailed. Learners must ensure there is a
broad range of evidence presented including examples to illustrate the points which are
made. The organisations used for the analysis of vision and mission statements must be
named. The analysis must be detailed with examination of the different points made
demonstrating clarity. Suggested additional evidence MERIT Suggested additional evidence
DISTINCTION 1 M1 The learner must carry out a clear evaluation of the impact of the
mission and vision statements of a named organisation showing 2 D1 The learner must
analyse how external influences affect and can compromise organisational strategy in a
named organisation. 3 LO3 AC 3.1, 3.2 & 3 M1, 3D1 4 5 The learner must produce a
presentation and supporting notes, which provide a full explanation of the importance of
review in developing organisational strategy and business plans. The explanation must
show a comprehensive understanding of the review process and its application. In addition,
the learner must provide a balanced evaluation of the tools which can be used to review
organisational strategy and business plans leading to judgements. LO4 3.1 The learner must
develop strategy options for AC 4.1. 4.2 a named organisation, using at least two 4M1

3. modelling tools. The modelling tools must be appropriately applied and lead to relevant and
feasible options. There needs to a range of criteria which are specific, enabling a thorough
review to take place. LO5 The learner can approach the work for the AC 5.1, 5.2, pass
criteria from a theoretical perspective 5.3 but using examples to illustrate the points 5M1
which are made. In the file there must be a © ATHE LTD 2016 05112016 Version 1.0 the
relationship and impact on strategy. 3 M1 The learner must, within the presentation and
supporting notes, demonstrate a comprehensive review of an organisation’s position in its
current market using appropriate tools. 3 D1 The learner must within the presentation and
supporting notes, analyse the competitive strengths and weaknesses of an organisation’s
current business strategy and business plans. In the analysis, the learner should examine
different points in detail demonstrating a full understanding of the chosen organisation’s
strategy and plans. The choice of organisation is critical in ensuring the learner is able to
provide sufficient evidence at the right depth. 4 M1 The learner must apply the criteria and
then produce a balanced evaluation of the options identifying strengths and issues. 5 M1
The learner must produce within the file, monitoring systems which will help to ensure 5
D1 The learner must produce a strategic plan for a named organisation. This must include /
demonstrate 5D1 © ATHE LTD 2016 05112016 Version 1.0 full and detailed explanation of
the structure of a strategy showing how stakeholders will be involved in the formulation of
the plan. This should also include a clear outline of the dissemination process that will be
used to ensure that stakeholders are informed of the plan and how commitment will be
generated. the successful implementation of a strategic plan. The monitoring systems
should be realistic, timely and applicable in organisations. consideration of a range of
business principles from key business sources to ensure the achievement of sound business
objectives. The learner may need guidance on the choice of the organisation and care should
be taken with using public limited companies where strategy plans can be complex.