REVIEWING ORGANISATIONAL STRATEGY PLANS AND PERFORMANCE

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

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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

Learners are required to complete all tasks.

Assignment Guidelines
All work must be submitted in a single electronic document (.doc file). This
should go to the tutor and Centre Manager/Programme Director, plus one hard
copy posted to the Centre Manager.
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The assignment must be the Learner’s own work and not copies of theories or
models. Direct quotes should be kept to a minimum, and shown in inverted
commas. Models described and other quotes used must be properly attributed
and referenced as appropriate. Learners must acknowledge or reference any
sources that have been used to complete the assignment, listing reference
material and web sites used.

Learners are encouraged to produce a reflective statement of no more than 300
words (which does not count towards the final word count), describing the value
and knowledge gained from undertaking this assignment. The reflective
statement is not assessed; however it encourages you to review the value and
application of your learning.

Overall word count guide: 2500 – 4500

Plagiarism and Collusion
In submitting the assignment Learner’s must complete a statement of
authenticity confirming that the work submitted for all tasks is their own. The
statement should also include the word count.
Plagiarism and collusion are treated very seriously. Plagiarism involves presenting
work, excerpts, ideas or passages of another author without appropriate
referencing and attribution. Collusion occurs when two or more learners submit
work which is so alike in ideas, content, wording and/or structure that the
similarity goes beyond what might have been mere coincidence.
Appendices
Separate Appendices should not be used. Any use of tables, graphs, diagrams,
Gantt chart and flowcharts etc. that support the main report should be
incorporated into the back of the assignment report that is submitted. Any
published secondary information such as annual reports and company literature,
should be referenced in the main text of the assignment but not included.
Confidentiality
Where a Learner is using organisational information that deals with sensitive
material or issues, they must seek the advice and permission from that
organisation about its inclusion. Where confidentiality is an issue, Learners are
advised to anonymise their assignment report so that it cannot be attributed to
that particular organisation.
Word Count Policy
In total, the assignment report should be between 2500 – 4500 words. Learners
must comply with the required word count, within a margin of +10%.These rules
exclude the index (if used), headings and information contained within references
and bibliographies. When an assessment task requires learners to produce
presentation slides with supporting notes, the word count applies to the
supporting notes only.
Referencing and Professionalism
A professional approach to work is expected from all learners. Learners must
therefore identify and acknowledge ALL sources/methodologies/applications used.
The learner must use an appropriate referencing system to achieve this. Marks
are not awarded for the use of English; however the learner must express ideas
clearly and ensure that appropriate terminology is used to convey accuracy in
meaning.
Submission of Assignments
All work to be submitted on the due date as per Centre advice.
All work must be submitted in a single electronic document (.doc file). This should
go to the tutor and Centre Manager/Programme Director, plus one hard copy
posted to the Centre Manager.