This course is designed as an introduction to the theory and practice of
strategic management including its phases of planning, implementation and
evaluation. It is also a capstone course in the Master's in Management
Program that requires the integration of information and skills derived
from previous course work. The drivers of organizational change, dynamic
nature of strategic thinking, and "big picture" systems perspective for
implementation will be emphasized over merely long term planning.
This course should help you better understand the stages and processes
of strategic management so you can participate more fully in your own organization,
and conduct such a management process more effectively when you are in
a position to do so. We will be examining a case study in detail as well
as considering application of strategic principles to your own organization.
As a result of this course, participants will be able to do the following:
1. Describe in detail the stages of the strategic management process;
2. Conduct an internal and external environmental scan and analysis;
3. Conduct an ethics audit for an organization;
4. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various corporate level
strategies;
5. Identify control considerations for evaluating a strategic plan;
6. Use the Balanced Scorecard to provide performance measures and feedback;
7. Compare and contrast strategic planning for profit and non-profit organizations;
8. Apply the principles of effective strategic management to case and current
organizational analyses.
Theoretical and practical information will be presented in lectures, text,
and case readings. Small group discussion and case analysis will be used
to demonstrate and practice key skills. Small teams will prepare and present
strategic plans for case or current organizations. Internet listservers
will also be used to network with other professionals on related topics.
Strategic Planning Paper: (100 points) Class participants will form
small (3-4 member) strategic planning teams to prepare a case, write a
report, and present the case in class. The paper will critically examine
an organization from a strategic perspective, and consist of the identification
of a strategic issue and elaboration of your proposed plan to resolve this
issue. Typically, this involves a brief history of the organization, internal
and external environment scan and analysis, statement of mission and goals,
description of implementation plan and controls. Case options for the study
and presentation will be distributed in class. Other cases, current or
past employers for example, may be proposed by the team but will need to
be approved by the instructor. In addition, other aspects of case appropriateness
need to be considered such as ethical issues, sufficient case documentation,
and level of difficulty of the task.
Strategic Plan Presentation: (100 points). Each team will make a
one hour class presentation of the case. Emphasis will be on critical examination
and analysis of the case information, clarity and organization of presentation,
style of delivery, use of appropriate analysis techniques, and providing
evidence and reasoning for conclusions and recommendations. Class members
and instructor will provide feedback and discuss the presentation. Team
members will share the grade for the paper and presentation.
Team Member Performance: (100 points). Completion of the case study,
report, and presentation will require a great deal of team effort. This
final source of information for grading will rely on members rating each
other's performance on their contribution to effective team functioning
and task production. A rating rubric will be available.