Unit 7.

10 Level 7

Strategic Planning 15 Credits

Suggested teaching and learning activities

This set of tutor notes produces an outline learning plan and should be used for guidance only. The infor ation de onstrates one !ay in planning the delivery of this unit. Learning Topic Content and Suggested #ctivities $esources "utco es 1. &or'shop 1 Understand the e%ternal environ ent affecting an organisation . External factors The tutor leads a class discussion brain storm on external environmental factors affecting organisations. In groups students take an allocated set of external environmental factors and link these to specific companies and business situations. The tutor may refer to !EST"E. The factors might include the position of competitors and the market direction as a whole# the effects of potential longer term changes in areas such as politics# legislation# trends# product design# technological developments. The group work is shared with the whole class. There is a tutor led discussion on how stakeholders influence organisational Introduction to the unit The tutor introduces the unit and explains that students will gain an understanding of the importance of strategic plans and how organisations undertake strategic planning. Students will also understand the purpose of vision and mission, establishing objectives, deciding on strategy and monitoring and evaluating how the roll out of the strategy plan is progressing. Students will understand that a good strategic plan is essential for the future development of the business. Students will prepare a strategy plan for a chosen organisation. $nit specification

Stakeholders

activity. In groups students take on the role of a specific stakeholder for an identified business e.g. customer# shareholder# supplier# sub contractor# employee# wider community and state their relationship to the business and their needs and expectations. %nalysis tools The tutor explains appropriate analysis tools e.g. S&'T, STEE!, TEST"E and the place of market research, statistics, primary and secondary information, and customer market and competitor analysis. %nd how they can be used in formulating strategy plans. In groups students use either a S&'T or STEE! analysis on a specific business and share their findings with the rest of the class. !ower point, flipcharts

(. )e able to revie! e%isting business plans and strategies of an organisation

&or'shop ( 'verview of business planning The tutor provides an introduction and overview of business planning. This will be developed further and reinforced through the visiting speaker. &ith the assistance of the tutor the students prepare (uestions for a visiting speaker. The guest speaker gives a presentation on business planning followed by the (uestion and answer session. The tutor explains the use of tools and techni(ues in planning. This includes value chain analysis# !orter)s *ive *orces# +,- matrix# S&'T analysis# internal surveys and statistics# market share# internal processes for monitoring and evaluating# effects of globalisation# pricing# organisational culture# benchmarking# sustainable competitive advantage. &ith tutor guidance students assess where their own or other organisations are positioned in the market place. -uest speaker ,ase studies

Tools and techni(ues in planning

!ower point, handouts, case studies, textbooks.

*. )e able to develop options for strategic planning for an organisation

&or'shop * $se of modelling tools to develop strategic options The tutor explains the use of modelling tools to develop strategic options. This could include .int/berg)s strategies# %nsoff .atrix# differentiation# cost leadership# strategic alliance, mergers and ac(uisitions# competitive strategies# market niche and segmentation# value based strategy# product portfolio# workforce development# gap analysis. The tutor tests student understanding of these tools and concepts. Students apply some of the tools and concepts with reference to real business examples and case studies. *or example the students could consider corporate !ower point, handouts and textbooks.

,ase study material

expansion# technological leadership# control of distribution channels.

+. )e able to construct a strategic plan for an organisation

&or'shop + ,onstruction of a strategic plan The tutor shows students examples of how a strategic plan can be structured. Students may be given some examples and research others so they have an understanding of different types of strategic plans. There is a class discussion on how the examples provided obtained relate to some of the following e.g. consistency with organisational values# balanced score card approach# potential globalisation and internet advantages# resource issues# risk# involvement of stakeholders# taking into account information which has recently come to hand. There is a class brainstorm on criteria for reviewing potential options which may appear in the plan. In small groups students examine how the criteria can be applied to the strategic plan examples. Examples of strategic plans

5. )e able to e%a ine factors affecting an organisationa l strategy plan

&or'shop 5 ,ore values, mission and vision The tutor provides information on how the terms core values, mission and vision are used differently by individual organisations. The tutor explains to the class the definitions they are going to use for these three terms. There is a class discussion on the importance and application of these terms. In small groups the students develop a statement of values, mission and vision for a well known brand e.g. 0isney. These are shared with the whole class. There is a class discussion on the linkage between values, mission and vision and the business strategy and objectives of the organisation. &here possible students should be encouraged to apply this to organisations they know. 'bjective setting The tutor explains why evaluation and performance measurers need to be in place to assess the progress and development of a plan. The tutor introduces the example of S.%1TE1 objectives 2andout on S.%1TE1 objectives 1eal business examples of core values, mission and vision.

In order to help understanding small groups of students could set S.%1TE1 objectives for their own performance on their course. This could then be monitored by themselves and the tutor. +roader issues ,. )e able to plan for the i ple entati on of a strategy plan &or'shop , Implementati on, monitoring and evaluation of the strategy plan The tutor explains the importance of a schedule for implementation of a strategy plan and to ensure appropriate communication strategies exist. In groups students devise a communication plan for use before and during the roll out of the strategy plan. The communication plan must meet the needs of all stakeholders and ensure buy3in. The tutor explains the relevance of factors such as organisational development# +!1# management by objectives# action planning# contingency planning# monitoring and control systems# performance appraisal for individuals and the business as a whole# aligning budgets# aligning departmental plans to strategy. There is a guest speaker on the implementation of a strategy plan, who can talk about how it was monitored and evaluated in their organisation !ower point, handouts, textbook references -uest speaker ,ase studies There is a class discussion on the broader issues affecting strategic plans. *or example promoting good practice# environmental considerations# ethics# spiritual and cultural issues# diversity.