Assignment 2: LASA 1—Preliminary Strategy Audit

The end result of this course is developing a strategy audit. In this module, you will outline and draft a preliminary framework for your final product. This provides you with the opportunity to get feedback before a final submission.

In Module 1, you reviewed the instructions for the capstone strategy audit assignment and grading rubric due in Module 5. By now, you have completed the following steps:

• Identified the organization for your report
• Interviewed at least one key mid-level or senior-level manager
• Created a market position analysis
• Conducted an external environmental scan in preparation of your final report and presentation

In this assignment, you will generate a preliminary strategy audit in preparation for your final course project.

Prepare a report that includes the following:

• In preparation for your course project, prepare the preliminary strategy audit using the tools and framework you have focused on so far including the following:  
  • Analysis of the company value proposition, market position, and competitive advantage
  • External environmental scan/five forces analysis
• Identify the most important (5–7) strategic issues facing the organization or business unit.
  • You may modify the strategic issues in your final report based on the additional analysis you will conduct in the next module as well as the feedback you receive on this paper from your instructor.
  • Keep in mind that it is important to look at the strategic issue(s) from more than just one perspective in the business unit or company—speak to or research the issue from more than one angle to offer a 360-degree approach that does not cause more problems or issues.
  • Strategic issues arise from a mismatch between internal capabilities and external trends such that important opportunities are not being pursued or significant external threats are not being addressed under the current strategy.
• Include a preliminary set of recommended tactics for improving your company’s strategic alignment and operating performance.
  • You may modify these recommendations in your final report based on the additional analysis you will conduct in the next module as well as the feedback you receive on this paper from your instructor.
  • Keep in mind that recommendations can include, but are not limited to, tactics in marketing, branding, alliances, mergers and acquisitions, integration, product development, diversification or divestiture, and globalization. If you recommend your company to go global, you must include a supply chain analysis and an analysis of your firm’s global capabilities.

Write your report as though you are a consultant to your company and are addressing the executive officers of this company. 

Write a 7–10-page report in Word format. Make sure your 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.

Use the following format for your report:

• Cover page
• Executive summary/abstract
• Table of contents
• Introduction to company (each subsection should be an assessment)
  • Value proposition
  • Market position
  • Competitive advantage
• External environmental scan/five forces analysis
  • Current environment
  • Assessment of external factors applying five forces
• Strategic issues (label each issue and provide a header and the reason for why it is an issue)
• Summary/key findings and recommendations
• References

Apply APA standards to citation of sources. Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M3_A2.doc.

By the due date assigned, deliver your assignment to the Submissions Area.

This assignment is worth 200 points and will be graded using the LASA rubric you can download.

Assignment 2 Grading Criteria

Assignment ComponentProficientScore

Content Knowledge: Understanding

Communicates understanding of how to assess an organization’s value proposition, market position, and competitive advantage.

CO 2,3

PO  1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.3

ILO  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Response incorporates analysis and synthesis of central concepts of the assigned topic.

Response reflects understanding of the nature of the specific topic within the discipline and its applications in contemporary times.

Response provides necessary details and specific examples.60 points

Content Knowledge: Application Component

Communicates the ability to assess the external factors that impact the organization using Five Forces Analysis

CO 1,3,5

PO 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3

ILO 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 

Response demonstrates a working command of the disciplinary content knowledge.

Response examines the specific issue within the context of the topic area using relevant details and examples.

Response analyzes the specific aspect of the issue to applicable areas within the discipline and their relevance to real world contexts.

Response is adequately supported by current and relevant literature.40 pointsContent Knowledge: Application Component 2

Communicates the ability to identify the most important (5-7) strategic issues facing an organization or business unit.

CO 1,5

PO 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3

ILO 1, 2, 3, 4, 6Response demonstrates a working command of the disciplinary content knowledge.

Response examines the specific issue within the context of the topic area using relevant details and examples.

Response analyzes the specific aspect of the issue to applicable areas within the discipline and their relevance to real world contexts.

Response is supported by current and relevant literature.40 pointsContent Knowledge: Application Component 3

Communicates the ability to identify a preliminary set of recommended tactics for improving your company’s strategic alignment and operating performance.

CO 1, 2, 4, 5

PO 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3,  3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3

ILO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6Response demonstrates a working command of the disciplinary content knowledge.

Response examines the specific issue within the context of the topic area using relevant details and examples.

Response analyzes the specific aspect of the issue to applicable areas within the discipline and their relevance to real world contexts.

Response is supported by current and relevant literature.40 pointsWritten Communication/Personal Effectiveness

Conveys through written word understanding and application of using ethical scholarship and proper grammar and mechanics.

CO 1, 5

PO 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.3, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3

ILO 1, 2, 3, 4, 6Writing is concise and clear in content, language use, grammar, organization, and sentence structure.

Writing is free of major grammatical and usage errors.20 points