Assignment 1: Discussion—Strategy and Alignment

Summarize the significant findings of your analyses. A concise and insightful summary of the significant findings of your analysis findings and the recommendations you have for your executive team.

(Course Objective [CO] 1, 3)

Executive summary is clear, thorough, and concise. It provides an insightful overview of all significant, both apparent and subtle, findings from all the analyses.

/ 52 pts

Identify the most important Strategic Issues facing your business unit.

CO 1,3

The most important, but apparent and subtle, Strategic Issues are identified. They are insightful, focused, and detailed in a brief explanation.

Specific examples, evidence, and information gathered in both the previous assignments and in external research are used to illustrate or support issues identified and/or their explanation.

/ 60 pts

Represent all misalignments found in the following categories: Product portfolio, Structure, Organizational culture/behavior, Value chain actions, Performance measures

CO 1,4

Identifies strategic misalignments describes elements of the organization that do not align with the strategy. Each misalignment is diagnosed using relevant facts and findings from previous assignments or external research, and its impact on organizational performance is clearly stated.

Collectively, the misalignments represent a critical review of the following categories: product portfolio, structure, organization culture/behavior, value chain actions, and performance measures.

Analysis demonstrates strong systems thinking that sees organizational performance as the result of group behavior that is shaped by the work setting and the elements that create it.

Specific examples, evidence, and information gathered in the previous assignments, the course material, and in external research are used to support misalignment diagnosis and analysis.

/ 60 pts

Provide recommendations for Strategic Issue and explain how it will resolve the issue.

CO 2, 3

Recommendations for each Strategic Issue are specific, insightful, thoughtful, and clearly explained. Each is appropriate for both the issue and the business at hand.

Explanation of how the recommendation will resolve the issue is clear, thoughtful, and reasonable.

Specific examples, evidence, and information gathered in previous assignments, in external research, and material gathered in class, are used to illustrate or support recommendations and their effect.

/ 60 pts

Executive Summary and Recommendations Synthesis and Presentation:

CO 1,2,3

Arguments and supporting facts are presented logically and in a natural sequence.

Summary presents and follows a consistent theme and style

Presentation includes simple tables, graphs, or other visuals that simplify complex or large amounts of information.

All material is properly referenced and cited according to APA standards.

/ 48 pts

Academic Writing

Writing is clear, concise, and in an organized manner; demonstrates ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources; and displays accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

/ 36 pts

PowerPoint Presentation

Power Point Presentation summarizes the audit and recommendations in a compelling manner that persuades senior management to explore and possibly implement recommendations.

Includes all of the required elements: Title, Agenda, Summary of Audit, Recommendations, Key Measurements, Risks and Benefits, Call to Action, Next Steps.

/44 pts

Total

/ 360 pts