ST4S38 - Strategic Analysis; Tools and Techniques 01 Sep 2017 - 31 Aug 2024 | Version 4

Associated Module Information

Module Code: ST4S38
Module Title: Strategic Analysis; Tools and Techniques
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Professional Development
Faculty Sub Group: Professional Development
Module Leader: Bharati Rathore, Tiansheng Yang
Module Team: Naveen Madhavan, Kevin Ellis-Brush, Davina Evans, Andrew Thompson
First Intended Intake: SEP 2015 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100810 - strategic management
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 4
Valid From 01 Sep 2017
Valid To 31 Aug 2024

Module Aims

The aim of this module is to develop a student's ability to evaluate the strategic environment of an organisation; internally and externally. Specifically, the module will explore, from a critical perspective, a series of frameworks used in strategic analysis and planning. This will enhance a student's ability to direct and manage the development of business and corporate strategy in the contexts of complexity and change.

Students who complete this module are expected to be able to actively contribute to the strategic development of an organisation in which they are, or intend to be, senior managers.

Content Summary

This module introduces students to tools and frameworks for strategic analysis, option identification, evaluation and selection and strategic implementation. Established and cutting-edge strategic models will be reviewed and critically evaluated during the module.

The module intends to develop a student's analytical and diagnostic skills together with their ability to apply strategic theory and practice to a wide range of problems.

Students will be expected to critique approaches and to be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different frameworks.

The module shall:

• Develop of an understanding of different approaches to strategic management and planning frameworks

• Introduce frameworks for understanding and developing an appreciation of an organisation's stakeholders and values and visions.

• Explore Strategic Business Unit (SBU) identification and competitive analysis.This is central to any corporate analysis. As well as SBU identification this element will introduce frameworks that enable both business and corporate competitive positions to be identified from a range of perspectives, e.g. Strategic Group Mapping.

• Examine analytical tools for the identification of market positions e.g. customer analysis and segmentation; competitor analysis; portfolio analysis (growth-share portfolio model (BCG matrix); market attractiveness and business position assessment; product life cycle matrix; and issues relating to business ethics.

• Introduce frameworks to assess environmental trends and influences on industry structures. This will involve dynamic frameworks for both macro and micro analyses. Examine methods of assessing company capabilities and competencies.

• Provide frameworks for the identification of the key strategic drivers of change and organisational capability, including assessing strategic fit and gap analysis. Explore tools, models and frameworks for the identification, evaluation and selection of strategic options.

• Develop student understanding of the key issues in affecting organisational change as it impacts on the implementation of strategic choices.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 20
Tutorial 20
Independent Study 120
Directed Study 40
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 On completion of the module students should be able to:Learning Outcome 1:Critically evaluate the contribution of strategic frameworks in contemporary strategic management 
LO2 Learning Outcome 2:Critically apply a range of strategic tools, frameworks and concepts in the strategic analysis of an organisation

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Report _Report 2 The assignment will enable students to critically apply strategic frameworks to an organisational context 0 3000 50 No 40
Report _Report 1 The assignment will enable students to critically evaluate the use and applicability of strategic methods to an organisational context 0 3000 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
_Report 2
_Report 1

Reading List

Reading will be mainly based on key journal articles and current news articles that inform the debates around the module content

Latest editions of the following text(s):

Johnson, G, Scholes, K & Whittington, R. Exploring Corporate Strategy. Prentice Hall.

Lynch, R. Corporate Strategy. Prentice Hall

De Witt, B. & Meyer, R. Strategy; Process, Content, Context. South Western, Cengage Learning