FRM03_Assignment brief_29.11.

2012 Page 1

ASSIGNMENT 1 BRIEF
Qualification BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Business
Unit number and
title
Business strategy
Assignment issued <date> Assignment due <date>
Assessor name <name of assessor>

Assignment title Based on the studied relevant chapters, complete the following tasks.
Aim of the
assignment
This assignment satisfies the following learning outcomes:
LO1 Understand the process of strategic planning
1.1 assess how business missions, visions, objectives, goals
and core competencies inform strategic planning

1.2 analyse the factors that have to be considered when
formulating strategic plans

1.3 evaluate the effectiveness of techniques used when developing
strategic business plans
Specific
requirements
(see Appendix for
assessment criteria
and grade
descriptors)
Answer the following questions:
1. Compare and discuss the differences among mission, vision,
objective, goal and core competence. How are they related to
strategic planning? Write 1-2 sentence(s) examples for each to
illustrate your answer.
Question 1 produces evidence for assessment criterion 1.1
2. What are the steps and issues/factors of strategic planning? Give
examples where necessary.
Question 2 produces evidence for assessment criterion 1.2
3. What are the different planning techniques involves in strategic
planning? Are there any difficulties to carry them out? Evaluate


FRM03_Assignment brief_29.11.2012 Page 2

their effectiveness and drawbacks. Give examples.
Question 3 produces evidence for assessment criterion 1.3

Student guidelines
GL 1 You should write this assignment in academic style, make sure you
have introduction, body, and conclusion.
GL 2 You could use models, theories, diagrams and tables where
appropriate to enhance your argument. Remember to reference the
sources.
GL3You should use in-text references and a list of all cited sources at the
end of the essay (Harvard Referencing Style)
GL4 Your report should be approximately 1200 words in length
(excluding the appendices and references)

Submission
requirements
No late submission is allowed.



FRM03_Assignment brief_29.11.2012 Page 3

APPENDIX: ASSESSMENT CRITERIA AND GRADE DESCRIPTORS
Learning outcomes Assessment criteria for
PASS
To achieve a pass grade
the evidence must show
that the learner is able
to
Grade descriptors
for MERIT
To achieve a merit
grade the evidence
must show that, in
addition to the pass
criteria, the learner
is able to
Grade descriptors for
DISTINCTION
To achieve a
distinction grade, the
evidence must show
that, in addition to
the pass and merit
criteria, the learner is
able to


FRM03_Assignment brief_29.11.2012 Page 4

LO1 Understand the
process of strategic
planning

1.1 assess
how
business
missions,
visions,
objectives
, goals
and core
competen
cies
inform
strategic
planning

1.2 analyse the
factors that
have to be
considered
when
formulating
strategic plans

1.3 evaluate the
effectiveness of
techniques used when
developing strategic
business plans
M1. Identify
appropriate
techniques
1.1 Judgments and
give examples
have been made
concerning the
strategic
terminologies,
definitions,
planning
techniques
1.2 Alternatives have
been considered
and analysed in
identifying
factors
formulating
strategic plans
1.3 Complex issues,
drawbacks and
effectiveness
have been
acknowledged in
terms of
identifying the
techniques of
developing
strategic
business plans
1.4 factors strategic
plans have been
justified and
analysed
M2. Select and
design appropriate
techniques
2.1 Clear definitions,
D1. Use critical
reflection to evaluate
own work and justify
valid conclusion:
1.1 Conclusions on
variety of
definitions are
justified
specifically in
forming strategic
plans
1.2 rationale of the
definitions has
been made
(organizational
context)
1.3 Validity of the
results are
evaluated
(selection of the
information has
been collected
from reliable
sources)
1.4 Realistic
improvements on
the difficulties of
the planning
techniques have
been proposed
against defined
characteristic for
success
1.5 Self-criticism of
the chosen on
planning
techniques
approach is taken
place


FRM03_Assignment brief_29.11.2012 Page 5

make comparisons
among current
terminologies of
different companies
and relate them to
strategic planning
2.2 A range of
sources of
information (books,
articles, reliable
reference sources,
cases) has been used
2.3 Complex issues,
drawbacks and
effectiveness have
been synthesized
and processed in
analysing the
techniques of
developing strategic
business plans

M3. Assignment
presentation
3.1 The appropriate
structure of the
assignment and
strategic planning
approach has been
used
3.2 Coherent, logical
definition,
development of
concepts for the
non-strategic
background
audience
1.6 Keen analysis has
been proposed
with realistic
evidence
D2. Take
responsibility for
managing and
organizing activities
2.1 primary and
secondary data have
been considered
carefully
2.2 synthesis of
different sources of
data is collected and
applied objectively
D3. D3. Demonstrate
convergent/lateral/cr
eative thinking

2.1 Application and
comparisons have
been made against
academic models
(pros and cons in
terms of Vietnamese
context); researchers
analysis
2.2 extended
academic models
have been presented
2.3 Creative thinking
has been applied
2.4 propose new
ideas for the
Vietnamese context
(in terms of


FRM03_Assignment brief_29.11.2012 Page 6

3.3 A range of
methods of
presentation has
been used and
technical language
has been accurately
used (correct
grammar and use of
English)
3.4 Correct
referencing (Harvard
style)
appropriate
terminologies)
2.5 critical review,
conclusions, and
recommendations on
terminologies in the
Vietnamese context



FRM03_Assignment brief_29.11.2012 Page 7


Grading grid
Assessment criteria for Pass
(P)
Merit descriptor
(M)
Distinction descriptor
(D)
Pass criterion No. (P*.*) Merit descriptor No. (M*.*) Distinction descriptor No.
(D*.*)
Pass criterion No. (P*.*) Merit descriptor No. (M*.*) Distinction descriptor No.
(D*.*)
Pass criterion No. (P*.*) Merit descriptor No. (M*.*) Distinction descriptor No.
(D*.*)

This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose
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Verifier 1
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Internal
Verifier 2
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