Strategic Decision-Making Portfolio

A Portfolio contains a number of component parts, typically pieces of work that address different topics (some suggestions are provided below), or focus on different aspects of a single topic.  Each component should be able to stand alone but you may wish to have them linked together.   You should be able to demonstrate some connection running through the pieces, which could be as much about how they differ as how they may link.  Apart from the initial mandatory section, you decide what to include in the portfolio.

The Portfolio should contain a Minimum of THREE components and a Maximum of FIVE.

In addition, it MUST include the mandatory section on Grade Mark Target (see below).  

Some or all of the portfolio may be in different media including sound, video as well as written word (see note later).  Sections of the portfolio do not have to be of equal length.  You can have one long section and two or three short ones, for example.

What to include in the portfolio

There is latitude about what to include in your portfolio, reflecting the world of strategic decision-making where alternative options need to be considered.  Because of this, there will be some ambiguity to deal with, and you will need to make decisions about what to include in your portfolio, and what to leave out.  The key criteria for the portfolio is that, together, its elements should demonstrate you have attained the learning outcomes.  

You will have opportunities to discuss the portfolio with tutors and peers throughout the term, and particularly in the second half when tutorials are largely devoted to portfolio work.

There is a range of possible elements that may be included in the Portfolio, each of which could be written up to meet intended learning outcomes.  Some suggestions include

Generate data through a group exercise, then write about that

One group in a previous year recorded themselves debating a contentious strategy issue that they submitted as one part of their portfolio, and then each carried out their own review of their debate from different perspectives within their own portfolios

Critique a strategy document

The University publishes its ‘Mission and Strategy’ document; other organisations do the same.  You might choose to critically review, or perhaps compare, such strategy documents.

Carry out your own primary research into an organisation or interview strategy people

Find out for yourself what is going on, maybe do some interviews, and develop primary data to compare practice and theory.  If you do primary research you must first discuss this with your class tutor, and you will have to submit an ethics approval form.  Details on Blackboard.

Write a reflective piece

Here you would critically reflect on what you have learned during the unit, typically going beyond concepts and ideas and more a reflection on what you have learned through the experience of studying the subject, from working with others in class, such as listening to others, having your mind changed, negotiating and so on.  An angle might be on how it has shaped your thinking about what you do after the end of the programme as a result of your experience on the unit.

TASK

Submit a portfolio that is representative of your best quality work and which shows your ability to:

·Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of selected concepts, theories and/or practices of strategy;

·Analyse and appraise strategies through the application of relevant theory;

·Gather and organise strategy-relevant information from a variety of academic and practice sources in order to critically evaluate strategy concepts, approaches and/or discourses;

·Discuss the implications of strategy decisions for individuals, organisations and/or wider society.