WM981-15 Strategic Business Management

Department: WMG
Level: Taught Postgraduate Level
Module leader: Angela Clarke
Credit value: 15
Module duration: 1 week
Assessment: Multiple
Study location: University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

Introductory description

This module looks at the role of Business Strategy in organisations. It addresses the importance of strategy to the organisation and examines the process for developing and implementing an effective strategy.

Module aims

It will explain how to develop and implement a strategy in a business. It will also consider how to select and apply various tools and techniques at each stage of the strategy’s development and deployment.
In addition, it will highlight real, practical considerations to enable successful, sustainable strategy implementation.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Introduction
The theory of strategy development – including vision and mission statements
The process of strategy development – including tools and techniques
Analysis of internal and external environment, strategic position and strategic options
Accounts from practitioners on aspects of strategy
Strategic alternatives
Practical implementation considerations
Influencing – tools, techniques and practice
Application of learning to specific business situation
Review and improvement of strategic business opportunity

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

Critically analyse the role of, and the process for, the development of business strategy, and its relationship with organisational vision, mission, values and culture.
Identify and critically assess the external and internal factors that affect a business and their business in particular.
Recognise the interface between different parts of an organisation, appreciate the expectations of stake-holders both inside and outside of the organisation, and consider how to manage them.
Review and/or develop sources of competitive advantage and debate the practicalities of enabling business benefit from them.
Create a business strategy and implementation plan for a part of the organisation in which the learner works.
Interpret, critically evaluate and apply appropriate theories, tools and techniques to issues in the learner's workplace (and demonstrate these against a Degree Apprenticeship standard where appropriate).

Indicative reading list

see Talis Aspire

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

Strategic thinking
Visioning
Big picture thinking & techniques
Practical implementation of strategy
Business modelling
Importance of and influencing culture & behaviours in strategy

Transferable skills

Communication - verbal and written
Analytical
Decision-making
Influencing & negotiation
Action planning
Reflection

Study time

Type	Required
Lectures	10 sessions of 1 hour (7%)
Seminars	10 sessions of 1 hour 30 minutes (10%)
Practical classes	(0%)
Work-based learning	30 sessions of 1 hour (20%)
Online learning (independent)	5 sessions of 1 hour (3%)
Assessment	90 hours (60%)
Total	150 hours

Private study description

No private study requirements defined for this module.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A1

	Weighting	Study time	Eligible for self-certification
PMA written question	50%	50 hours	Yes (extension)
One PMA written component on strategy, from a choice of two questions
Video log (Vlog)	30%	30 hours	Yes (extension)
10 minute video log reflecting on how the learning from the module can be applied in the learner's workplace
In module exercise and assessment	20%	10 hours	No
The in-module exercise and assessment will be dependent on the cohort group size. If the cohort is sufficiently small, the assessment will be a 1.5 hour presentation (individual or small group from the same organisation) critiquing the learners' workplace strategy and making recommendations for improvement. Presentation of the findings will be made to senior management representatives from the learners' organisation. If the cohort is larger than 15 students, an in-module presentation will be based on an online case study, and will comprise classroom, collaborative and independent working pulled together in a group presentation (marked collectively) to academic representatives at the end of the week.

Assessment group R1

	Weighting	Study time	Eligible for self-certification
PMA question	100%		Yes (extension)
1 question from a choice of 2

Feedback on assessment

in module - verbal and written feedback (using pro-forma)
written essay - written feedback using standard feedback form
vlog - written feedback using standard feedback form

Anti-requisite modules

If you take this module, you cannot also take:

ES977-10 Business Strategy & Strategic Management

Courses

This module is Optional for:

EWMS-H1X9 Postgraduate Taught Engineering Business Management (Degree Apprenticeship)
- Year 1 of H1X9 Engineering Business Management (DA)
- Year 1 of H1T3 WMG Engineering Business Management (Part-time)
- Year 1 of H1T3 WMG Engineering Business Management (Part-time)
EWMS-H1B3 Postgraduate Taught Managing in Technology Based Industries (Degree Apprenticeship)
- Year 1 of H1B4 Managing in Technology Based Industries
- Year 1 of H1B4 Managing in Technology Based Industries
- Year 1 of H1B3 Managing in Technology Based Industries (DA)
Year 1 of EWMS-H7BJ Postgraduate Taught Supply Chain and Logistics Management (Degree Apprenticeship)
Year 1 of EWMS-H1XB Postgraduate Taught Systems Engineering Technical Leadership (Degree Apprenticeship)