SM338 Strategic analysis - OLD

   Previous topic Next topic JavaScript is required for the print function Mail us feedback on this topic! Mail us feedback on this topic!  

Synopsis of Module

The module seeks to teach students how to perform a strategic analysis using appropriate frameworks. This enables the students to make an assessment of an organisation's current strategic position and identify the key strategic issues it faces. Lectures will be used to introduce students to the frameworks they need to structure such an analysis and to set them in context. Seminars concentrate on developing the students' skills in applying these frameworks to organisations through the use of case studies. This module is assessed through a case study based examination.

Aims of Module

The module aims to provide students with an overview of the process of strategic analysis and introduce them to a range of frameworks that they can use to perform such an analysis on an organisation. In addition, the module seeks to encourage students to selectively apply appropriate frameworks and develop the confidence to draw out and support their conclusions.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the module, the student will:

•have an understanding of the overall process of strategic analysis
•be able to select and apply appropriate frameworks to analyse the organisation.
•be able to select and apply appropriate frameworks to analyse the environment.
•be able to draw out of their analysis the key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
•be able to identify and justify the key strategic issues arising from the analysis undertaken
•be able to present a coherent, well structured strategic analysis.

Outline Syllabus

Introduction to the process of strategic analysis

•Business objectives
•Competitive and development strategies
•Analysing the external environment - frameworks for identifying opportunities and threats
•Analysing the internal environment - frameworks for identifying strengths and weaknesses
•Identifying key strategic issues

Analysing the organisation:

•Culture, structure, resource analysis, products, stakeholder analysis, using SWOT to synthesise and summarise the results of the analysis.
•Identifying key strategic issues

Summative assessment

Assessment is by examination (restricted notes). The weighting of the assessment is 100%