ASSIGNMENT-1
Strategic Direction
1. Be able to review and determine the organisation's strategic aims and objectives
Critically analyse the existing strategic aims and objectives of the organisation
Undertake a critical evaluation of the components of current organisational strategy
Critically analyse the factors affecting the strategic aims of organisational strategy over the short and medium term
2. Be able to evaluate progress towards achieving organisational strategic aims and objectives
Apply a range of diagnostic and analytical tools to audit and assess progress towards existing strategic aims and objectives
Take responsibility for and critically assess the expectations of all stakeholders and their influence upon future organisational strategy
Critically analyse, interpret and produce an evaluation of the existing organisational strategic position and progress towards achieving the existing strategy
3. Be able to determine and evaluate strategic options to support a new strategic position
Critically evaluate and develop a range of alternative strategic options to meet organisational strategic aims, direction and objectives in the short and medium term
Determine and justify the existing strategic option that can meet the revised strategic position
Reviewing organisational strategy plans and performance
Introduction
The unit will explore the strategic aims and objectives of an organisation and their significance in setting direction, identifying success and progress for the organisation. The unit will also explore where different strategic options may lead the organisation to change its direction.
Scenario
Learners may use their own employment context, or that of another organisation with which they are very familiar, to base their assignment. However, in the case that they are not able to do so, please use the below scenario: -
You are a manager at a medium sized organisation. You have been asked to review your organisational strategic plan to establish if suitable progress is being made to meet the organisation's strategic objectives. Analysis of internal and external factors affecting the
plan is part of your remit and it has been suggested you examine options to meet the plan which are more effective and cost efficient. From your analysis you need to justify your recommendations and so, valid and realistic options need to be produced.
If you will be using the scenario please select and research an organisation of your choice with regards to their strategic plan. Provide details of your research and a short summary of the information you have found in order that the assessor may contextualise your responses to the tasks below. The summary is expected to be between 200 and 250 words.
Task 1:
Critically analyse the current strategic aims and objectives of your chosen scenario / organisation, you may wish to consider the fuller hierarchy of objectives, within your critical analysis, enable greater detection of misalignment. Use techniques and modelling to underpin your critical analysis, where feasible.
Decompose your organisational strategy into logical component parts, it is likely that each functional area will have their own customized strategies and tactics; it is within this sphere that misalignment often occurs. Not all component parts of the strategy will have the same value or level of risk; this may be considered in your analysis.
Critically conduct an environmental scan focused on environmental factors in the short and medium term, short being up to one year, longer term being up to three years.
Guideline word count: 750 - 850 words
A.C. 1.1 - Critically analyse the existing strategic aims and objectives of the organisation
A.C. 1.2 - Undertake a critical evaluation of the components of current organisational strategy
A.C. 1.3 - Critically analyse the factors affecting the strategic aims of organisational strategy over the short and medium term
Task 2:
Conduct an audit customised for the purpose of signposting the activities within the processes of working towards existing strategic aims and objectives. Embed diagnostic tools from across the business domain to add validity and confident in the auditing activity.
Identify ten stakeholders connected with the organisation and evaluate their expectations. Undertake stakeholder mapping to analyse the power and influence they have upon the organisational strategy. Strategic Stakeholder Tooling is recommended for this task.
Evolve a strategic positioning map or tool(s) to enable critical analysis of the business processes and activities towards the achievement of the current strategic posit.
Guideline word count: 750 - 850 words
A.C. 2.1 Apply a range of diagnostic and analytical tools to audit and assess progress towards existing strategic aims and objectives
A.C. 2.2 Take responsibility for and critically assess the expectations of all stakeholders and their influence upon future organisational strategy
A.C. 2.3 critically analyse, interpret and produce an evaluation of the existing organisational strategic position and progress towards achieving the existing strategy. Use at least three recognised strategic tools
Task 3:
Deploy strategic options tools to support the critical evaluation of your identified range of strategic options in the short and medium term. Conduct critical analysis of the value of your chosen tools, together with suitable criteria for the selection of use of such tools.
Supporting factors may be such factors as profit, core competencies, quality, competitive factors and business processes.
Determine and justify the evolved strategic option(s) and assess its suitability in contributing to meeting any revised strategic posit.
Guideline word count: 750 - 900 words
A.C. 3.1 critically evaluate and develop a range of alternative strategic options to meet organisational strategic aims, direction and objectives in the short and medium term
A.C. 3.2 Determine and justify the existing strategic option that can meet the revised strategic position
ASSIGNMENT-2
Strategic Marketing
Learning Outcomes Assessment Criteria
1. Be able to understand the relationship between the marketing plan and strategic objectives
1.1 Critically evaluate how marketing techniques and tools can support the strategy of an organisation and how this impacts on the marketing plan
1.2 Determine marketing methodologies and approaches that contribute to a marketing plan within complex organisations
1.3 Address risk associated with the marketing plan
2. Be able to produce a strategic marketing plan
2.1 Critically analyse the components of a marketing plan and the levels of importance of each component to the achievement of strategic objectives
2.2 Address mitigation strategies for high risk components of the plan
2.3 Develop a marketing plan that will achieve strategic objectives for a complex organisation
3. Be able to promote the marketing plan in support of strategic objectives
3.1 Discuss how the plan supports strategic objectives
3.2 Develop an approach to gain agreement for the marketing plan that will change organisation actions and methods to achieve strategic objectives
3.3 Critically evaluate and provide review measures for the agreed plan
Introduction
The unit will investigate underlying models, techniques and theories that underpin marketing and can contribute to strategic objectives. It will also provide Learners with a critical understanding of the marketing function within complex organisations.
Scenario
Learners may use their own employment context, or that of another organisation with which they are very familiar, to base their assignment. However, in the case that they are not able to do so, please use the below scenario: -
You are a senior manager, leading the marketing department of an organisation. Your team is responsible for identifying and delivering a marketing plan that supports organisational objectives.
Task 1:
Critically evaluate a range of marketing tools, techniques and principles' can be deployed to support general organisational strategy, exploration of marketing orientation will be of value here. Summative explore how these techniques impact on marketing planning.
Organisational are increasing deploying marketing concepts in many functional areas, in a seamless fashion, to the benefit of the organisation.
Determine how key marketing methodologies and approaches contribute towards marketing planning within diverse organisations. This task would blend well with 1.1.
Detail the component part of the plan, considering your organisational context is complex; ensure that these component parts have sufficiency, to address complexity. Perform a risk assessment, or other methodology of your choice. Put in place a contingency plan to address identified risk, include within this an action statement. A project approach may be considered as a means of implementation of your identified actions and contingencies.
Guideline word count: 1,000 - 1,100 words
A.C. 1.1 - Critically evaluate how marketing techniques and tools can support the strategy of an organisation and how this impacts on the marketing plan
A.C. 1.2 - Determine marketing methodologies and approaches that contribute to a marketing plan within complex organizations
A.C. 1.3 - Address risk associated with the marketing plan.
Task 2:
Review your work and research in 1.3, further critically analysing the sectional component parts of the marketing plan, evaluate the critical sections of the plan, those that may make the greater contributions to the whole, towards meeting the established strategic marketing objectives.
Review the high risk sections of the marketing plan and evolve and justify appropriate strategies and tactics to reduce, keep in check or design out altogether, as appropriate to your scenario. Quantitative risk assessment techniques, that can be justified and interrogated is strongly advised here.
Develop a marketing plan. Review your assignment research and output thus far, for areas of the marketing plan that have already been covered, avoiding duplication, and supporting a reduction in the burden of assessment.
Guideline word count: 700 - 900 words
A.C. 2.1 - Critically analyse the components of a marketing plan and the levels of importance of each component to the achievement of strategic objectives
A.C. 2.2 - Address mitigation strategies for high risk components of the plan
A.C. 2.3 - Develop a marketing plan that will achieve strategic objectives for a complex organisation
Task 3:
You are asked to construct a marketing plan for a specific area within your responsibility. Identify measures for evaluating the success of the plan. Explain the process that is required in order to secure approval within your organisation.
Develop an approach or approaches to gain commitment and buy in into your plan. It is likely that you will have many factors effecting engagement, loyalty; the social ethics of your plan would also be valid here. It should be remembered that it is very important to retain commitments for the duration of the plan, further, that stakeholders' positions are likely to shift during the duration of the plans life. Future learning from your plan is also a valid aspect of inclusion into your planning reviews.
Marketing planning has essentially built in plan monitoring and controls, conduct research into the concepts of monitoring and control, within a marketing context. Select and apply such techniques that fit your organisational culture, size and scope of the plans activities and level of operation.
Guideline word count: 1,300 - 1,500 words
A.C. 3.1 Discuss how the plan supports strategic objectives
A.C. 3.2 Develop an approach to gain agreement for the marketing plan that will change organisation actions and methods to achieve strategic objectives
A.C. 3.3 critically evaluate and provides review measures for the agreed plan
ASSIGNMENT-3
Organisational Change Strategies
Learning Outcomes Assessment Criteria
1. Understand how to apply solutions to organisational change
1.1 Critically evaluate the range of organisational change models and frameworks that could be used in your organisation
1.2 Identify and apply a range of creative problem solving tools and techniques to address change challenges
1.3 Critically evaluate, determine and justify change solutions that link to the achievement of organisational strategy
2. Understand how to develop a change strategy using implementation models
2.1 Critically evaluate a range of change implementation models
2.2 Identify and justify the criteria to select and support a change implementation model and will achieve the organisational change desired
3. Be able to analyse an organisational response to change
3.1 Identify and demonstrate the use of analytical tools to monitor the progress and the effects of change within your organisation
3.2 Critically assess monitoring and measurement techniques used to measure and track change within an organisation
3.3 Analyse and critically assess strategies to minimise the impact of adverse effects of change in your organisation
4. Understand how to evaluate the impact of change strategies
4.1 Critically evaluate the processes required to review the impact of the change in your organisation
4.2 Critically analyse and discuss the results of a change impact review
4.3 Formulate findings of a change analysis and present them in an appropriate way for different stakeholders
Organisational Change Strategies
Introduction
The unit looks at how complex organisations can provide strategies for, respond to and evaluate change. Methodologies and various tools and techniques will be applied.
Scenario
Learners may use their own employment context, or that of another organisation with which they are very familiar, to base their assignment. However, in the case that they are not able to do so, please use the below scenario: -
You are a manager within an organisation that is currently undergoing a period of change.
Your role is to guide the organisation through the change programme ensuring employee commitment as well as meeting organisational objectives.
Task 1:
Identify and critically evaluate at least three diverse models or frameworks that can be used to address organisational change. Assess their suitability within your identified scenario context. Remembering a model must be ‘fit for the purpose intended.'
Identify and justify the change solutions for this scenario that help achieve organisational objectives. Apply a range of creative problem solving techniques can be used to address change challenges.
Identify and outline your scenarios organisational strategy. Critically evaluate how your deduced solutions will align and contribute positively and feasibly to organisational future direction.
Guideline word count: 1,300 - 1,500 words
A.C. 1.1 - Critically evaluate the range of organisational change, models and frameworks that could be used in your organisation
A.C.1.2: - Identify and apply a range of creative problem solving techniques to address change changes
A.C. 1.3 - Critically evaluate, determine and justify change solutions that link to the achievement of organisational strategy
Task 2:
Research, identify and critically evaluate two change implementation models, with the focus on the requirements of implementation. Your work may have connections to 1.1 findings.
Evolve a positive, feasible and ethical criteria that validates the change implementation model, clearly signposting it's critical success factors and related key performance indicators
Guideline word count: 850 - 1,000 words
A.C. 2.1 - Critically evaluate a range of change implementation models
A.C. 2.2 - Identify and justify the criteria to select and support a change implementation model and will achieve the organisational change desired
Task 3:
For this task you are required to demonstrate application of analytical tools that effectively monitor both the processes involved in change and the effects. Monitoring will be over time, therefore the factor of time and key critical points of risk and potential shock should be considered. Enterprise Risk Management techniques would be of value to explore here. Measurement may be quality, budgetary factors, environmental factors, cultural changes, engagement modelling. 3.1 / 3.2 would blend well together.
For this task state your intended strategy(s) to management your change scenario. Conduct a risk assessment on them or modelling of your choice, determine how risk may be avoided, reduced, designed out or transferred.
Guideline word count: 850 - 1,000 words
AC: - 3.1 Identify and demonstrate the use of analytical tools to monitor the progress and the effects of change within your organization
AC: - 3.2 critically assess monitoring and measurement techniques used to measure and track change within an organization
AC: - 3.3 Analyze and critically assess strategies to minimize the impact of adverse effects of change in your organization
Task 4:
Identify the key risk factors that have an adverse effect on the strategic direction of the firm, as well as those positives, that may be exploited further, for internal or competitive advantage.
Decompose the elements of risk, via a logical criteria and critical review and evaluate those processes.
Together with your team critically analyse the results of the change impact review, summarising the points discussed and qualified recommendations. You may wish to form a specialists Delphi group for this purpose.
Develop a PowerPoint presentation of your change findings, and present them to your primary stakeholders or sponsors. For assessment purposes only the PowerPoint works are required. You may wish to conduct an audience profiling exercise, media review to ensure that the presentation is in its best context, to maximise on exceeding stakeholders' expectations.
AC: - 4.1 critically evaluate the processes required to review the impact of the change in your organization
AC: - 4.2 critically analyses and discuss the results of a change impact review
AC: - 4.3 Formulate findings of a change analysis and present them in an appropriate way for different stakeholders