Higher National Certificate/Diploma in Business
Assignment Brief
Student name/ ID Number
Unit Number and Title 32 Business Strategy
Academic Year 2018-2019
Unit Tutor Ms. Shreya Kanjariya
Assignment title Strategic Management Plan
Issue Date
Submission Date
IV Name & Date
Submission Format:
The submission is in the form of a strategic management plan report. This should be written in
a concise, formal business style using 1.5 spacing and font size 12. You are required to make
use of headings, paragraphs and subsections as appropriate and ensure that the report is
justified aligned. All work must be supported with research and referenced using the Harvard
referencing system. Please also provide a bibliography using the Harvard referencing system.
The recommended word limit is 10,000–12000 words, although you will not be penalized for
exceeding the total word limit.
Unit Learning Outcomes:
LO1 Analyze the impact and influence which the macro environment has on an organization.
LO2 Assess an organization’s internal environment and capabilities.
LO3 Evaluate and apply the outcomes of an analysis using Porter’s Five Forces model to a
given market sector.
LO4 Apply models, theories and concepts to assist with the understanding and interpretation
of strategic directions available to an organization.
Assignment Brief and Guidance:
You have been recruited as a Strategy Manager by a medium/large local organization. You
have been asked to produce an environmental analysis and strategic growth management
plan based on the use of recognized internal and external analytical tools. This can include
critique and interpretation of information and data by applying environmental and
competitive analysis to produce a set of valid strategic directions, objectives and tactical
actions.
Part A: you are to complete an internal and external analysis that provides a basis for
strategic planning:
• Apply appropriate frameworks to analyze the impact and influence of the macro
environment on a given organization and its strategies. This may include the critical analysis
of macro environment to determine and inform strategic management decisions.
• Analyse the internal environment and capabilities of a given organization using appropriate
framework
• Analysis of the competitive environment using Porter’s Five Forces model. You may devise
appropriate strategies to improve competitive edge and market position based on the
outcomes.
Part B: devise a strategic plan based on the environmental analysis and findings:
• Evaluation of the different types of strategic directions available to the organization.
• Justify and recommend the most appropriate growth platform and strategies.
• The strategic management plan may include the tangible and tactical strategic priorities and
objectives.
Grading Criteria
Learning Outcome Pass Merit Distinction
LO1 Analyze the P1 Applying M1 Critically analyze D1 Critique and
impact and influence appropriate the macro interpret information
which the macro framework to environment to and data, applying
environment has on analyze the impact determine and environmental and
an organization and and influence of the inform strategic competitive analysis
its business macro environment management to produce a set of
strategies. for a given decisions. valid strategic
organization and its directions, objectives
strategies. and tactical actions.
LO2 Assess an P2 Analyze the M2 Critically analyzes
organization’s internal environment the internal
internal environment and capabilities of a environment to
given organization
and capabilities. assess strengths and
using appropriate weaknesses of an
frameworks. organization’s
internal capabilities,
structure and skill
set.
LO3 Evaluate and P3 Applying Porter’s M3 Devise
apply the outcomes Five force model to appropriate
of an analyzing using evaluate the strategies to improve
Porter’s Five Forces competitive forces of competitive edge and
model to a given a given market sector market position
market sector. for an organization. based on the
outcomes.
LO4 Apply models, P4 Applying a range M4 Produce a
theories and of theories, concepts strategic
concepts to assist and models, management plan
with the interpret and devise that has tangible and
understanding and strategic planning for tactical strategic
interpretation of a given organization. priorities and
strategic directions objectives.
available to an
organization.
