Strategic Analysis and Scenario Planning: Assignment Description

Nature and purpose of strategy, strategic analysis, its theoretical underpinnings and implications for marketing.

1. Nature and purpose of strategy, strategic analysis, its theoretical underpinnings and implications for marketing. Demonstrate an, analytic and persuasive understanding of the strategy process  

2. Think strategically and increased confidence handling and discussing complex, current events; Deploy analytical tools of strategic and marketing management, synthesise, evaluate and develop appropriate strategic and marketing options.

What am I required to do in this assignment?

Task:

You will produce an artefact in the form of a narrated presentation in either audio or video format that presents plausible scenarios for a selected industry. You will do this in the role of a consultant to a company that has requested that you develop the scenarios. These will be based on thorough analysis and will employ suitable a scenario planning technique. The presentation will be supported with detailed notes that show the development of the analysis and the scenarios.

Further information:

Produce a narrated presentation in either audio or video format presenting 4 future scenarios for a selected industry. In support of your presentation you must produce detailed and organized notes (up to 2,400 words) that show development of the scenarios and detail the analysis behind their development. The Scenarios should be developed using appropriate techniques (covered in the unit) on based on thorough analysis of current trends and take into account informed opinion about potential future developments (evidenced in your notes). The analysis should be conducted using appropriate tools selected from your Strategy Toolbox.

The presentation format is relatively flexible and potential formats will be discussed in Week 1.

The notes will be organized in the template that will be provided in the unit.

Details of submission will be posted on BREO in the Assessment and Feedback section

What do I need to do to pass? (Threshold Expectations from UIF)

Collect and critically analyse, to an acceptable level, relevant data to identify and analyse the given strategic environment from the perspective of a real firm select and apply relevant strategic frameworks or approaches to generate critical insights relevant to the organization.

Note: You do not analyse the firm but you will find it useful to identify a firm in order to select a particular industry for this assignment. In this assignment there is no need to make reference to the firm.

How do I produce high quality work that merits a good grade?

Produce a professional and compelling evaluation of a contemporary external environment and develop alternative scenarios based on this analysis. Produce detailed evidence notes showing the analysis that informs the development of the Scenarios.  Assignments attracting the highest marks will be focused, analytical and evidenced thoroughly.

The video should be presented professionally. A range of formats is possible and these will be discussed in Week 1. Make sure that your submission is analytical throughout and draws on a good range of quality sources. You should include reference section in your notes

You will need to interpret the brief and remember that the work will help to inform your A2.  You will attract marks for good, critical analysis.  Make strategic judgments and produce a convincing presentation.  Organise your work and communicate professionally. Please ensure your submission is all your own work. Poorly referenced work or work purchased from an external source will result in the work being submitted as a potential academic offence.

In summary, to achieve the highest marks you will need to evaluate and critically analyse.  The assignment needs focus and to provide clear articulation of the scenarios.  

How does this assignment relate to what we are doing in scheduled sessions?

The sessions are about thinking strategically and making strategic judgments about both the changing world around us and the strategies of all sorts of organisations in a variety of uncertain contexts.

How will my assignment be marked?

Your assignment will be marked according to the threshold expectations and the criteria on the following page.

You can use them to evaluate your own work and consider your grade before you submit.