strategic audit

AUDIT ASSIGNMENT

Do not become overly concerned about the date the case was written. We are focusing on concepts and your ability to use the information provided to conduct your analysis based on the concepts covered in the chapters.

"The strategic decision-making process is put into action through a technique known as the strategic audit. A strategic audit provides a checklist of questions that enables a systematic analysis to be made of the various functions and activities. The strategic audit is a type of management audit and is extremely useful as a diagnostic tool to pinpoint corporate-wide problem areas and to highlight organizational strengths and weaknesses. A strategic audit can help determine why a certain area is creating problems and weaknesses. A Strategic Audit can help determine why a certain area is creating area is creating problems for a corporation and to help generate solutions to the problem" (Wheelen and Hunger, pg 26)

To begin the Strategic Audit, please go through Appendix 1.A on page 32 – This provides you with the checklist of questions that need to be answered. Chapter 12 outlines "suggestions for Case Analysis".

INSTRUCTIONS

Case to evaluate: PANERA BREAD COMPANY (2010) STILL RISING FORTUNES?

For this assignment, you will complete sections (1 and 2)

1. At the end of chapter one (Appendix 1.A) there is an outline to guide you about the information to be covered.

2. There are some questions, in each section. PLEASE DO NOT WRITE THE QUESTIONS, THEN ANSWER - IT IS NOT AN ANSWER AND QUESTION PAPER. Based on the questions that are asked, you will have well developed sentences/paragraphs (not bullet points) to address those areas that are applicable to your case. Please use the headings and sub-headings as identified in Appendix 1.A

3. Each section is connected, so there has to be consistency in how the information is presented. For example you cannot complete your Strategic alternatives before assessing the previous sections. So you will begin by analyzing the Current situation, Corporate governance, External environment, internal environment, Analysis of Strategic Factors). If financial statements are given, then you are expected to analyze those statements. Sections 1, II, III, IV, and V