Product Life Cycle Analysis

Assessment Task 1 – BUS304 Evidence based strategy creation

ASSESSMENT TASK 1: Product Life Cycle Analysis-JB Hi-Fi Australia

Value: 20%

Due Date: Week 5

Length: 1200-1500 words (±10% MAX)

Assessment Description

Product life cycle (PLC) analysis serves many purposes. It gives strategists an overview of

product brand performance and new product development opportunities. Business

strategists can use PLC analysis to make decisions regarding portfolio management and/or

investment and divestment.

You are hypothetically assigned to act as a business strategist for JB Hi-Fi Australia, the largest

home entertainment retailer in Australia for analyzing it’s current product portfolio,

investigate the PLC stages and develop an evidence-informed strategy according to the PLC

stage for each product brand.

In particular, you are expected to:

1. Conduct secondary research to collect information about the current products of JB

Hi-Fi Australia being offered in the Australian Market

2. Based on evidence collected through secondary sources, define the PLC stage of each

product

3. Suggest strategies for each product according to its PLC stage

Report Format and Specific Tasks

After observational research, you are required to develop a report summarising your findings.

The structure of the report should be:

1. Introduction: An executive summary of your report, including your research approach

and findings. (Approximately 150-200 words)

2. Background: Provide a context by writing a short note on JB Hi-Fi Australia history and

its products. Provide information related to JB Hi-Fi Australia range of products in the

Australian Market and briefly about the competitors’ offerings. Use secondary

research resources to get the information mentioned above (Subject Learning

Outcome 1). (Approximately 250-300 words)

Assessment Task 1 – BUS304 Evidence based strategy creation

3. PLC stage and strategies: Using secondary information, describe the PLC stage of each

product brand of JB Hi-Fi Australia. This task may include market share/sales

information of the products taken from the financial reports (previous 3-4 years) of

JB Hi-Fi Australia and a comparison to justify whether the product is at the

introduction, growth, maturity or decline stage. Apart from financial reports, the

information can also be collected through other credible published sources such as

industry reports or research articles. After each product has been assigned an

appropriate PLC stage, suggest relevant marketing mix elements strategies (4P’s). PLC

model discussed in the class and strategies suitable for each stage can be used as

guiding principle. (Approximately 700-850 words) (Subject Learning Outcome 1,2)

4. Conclusion: Summarise key findings of your report and limitations, if any.

(Approximately 100-150 words)

5. References: Provide references to any secondary sources used, following APA or

Harvard referencing style.

General Guidelines

1. The report should be well written, consistently following Australian English writing

conventions, properly spell checked and proofread. Formatting guidelines are:

a. Page size, margins and line spacing: A4 page size and Normal margins (2.54cm

each for left, right, top and bottom), 1.5 line spacing for body text, headings

and sub-sections

b. Title: 14pts, bold, Times New Roman or Calibri, 6pts space before and after

c. First Heading: 12pts, bold and underline, Times New Roman or Calibri, 6pts

space before and after

d. Second heading or sub-section: 12pts, bold and italic, Times New Roman or

Calibri, 6pts space before and after

e. Body text: 12pts, Times New Roman or Calibri, 6pts space before and after, 1.5

line spacing, left indentation with Special Style (FIRST LINE)

2. Follow strictly the report format mentioned above with exact headings (main sections)

as advised. However, subsections of your choice can be added for better organization

of the report.

3. Avoid using jargon and contractions. Acronyms should be mentioned in full for the

first time.

4. Follow the indicated number of words for each section (a margin of 10% is permitted).

5. Cite tables and figures properly, if any, following APA or Harvard referencing style

consistently across the report.

Assessment Task 1 – BUS304 Evidence based strategy creation

NOTE:

1. When you use any secondary resources, don’t forget to cite the resource properly if

the information is not ‘common knowledge. APA or Harvard referencing styles should

be used consistently across the report.

2. Submission of the assessment should be made according to instructions given below

and in time to avoid delayed submission marks deductions

Submission Instructions and Marks Allocation

1. All submissions should be made using Learnline assessment 1 submission point.

2. Allocation of marks is as follows:

3. For details on the assessment marking procedure, see the assessment rubrics in the

assessment area of Learnline.

Section Marks Allocation

Introduction 5

Background 5

PLC stages 30

PLC strategies 30

Conclusion 10

Report Structure and Presentation 10

Secondary research – Citations and Referencing

10

Total 100