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IB349-15 Operational Research for Strategic Planning

Department
Warwick Business School
Level
Undergraduate Level 3
Module leader
Eleanor Reynolds
Credit value
15
Module duration
10 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry
Introductory description

This is an optional module for final year students, exploring the development and application of models and analytical techniques which may be used to support an organisation's strategic development process. Students from a range of academic backgrounds may be interested in the module; those from a scientific background will discover the application area of strategic planning within which techniques can usefully be employed; and those from a business background will discover the use of structured methods relevant to the practice of strategic planning.

Module web page

Module aims

To develop an understanding of the range of methods and models available to support
the development of effective strategic decisions.

To equip students with the knowledge and skills to identify, apply and reflect on the use
of a selection of methods that are appropriate for supporting the development of
effective strategic decisions.

To instil in students an appreciation of how the methods can be incorporated within the
planning process.

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.

A conceptual model of the strategic development process is introduced which identifies a set of essential elements for example:
vision development, strategy creation, strategy rehearsal and evaluation, performance measurement. Frameworks, methods and
models to support the development process include but are not limited to:

  • Problem structuring methods
  • Visioning approaches
  • Strategy formulation approaches including SWOT / TOWS analysis
  • Scenario planning
  • Evaluation approaches
    The module will focus on a selection of methods; this selection may vary from year to year. The teaching style emphasises the
    practical application of techniques for strategy support through the use of case studies and group exercises.
Learning outcomes

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

  • Understand the range of methods and models available to support the development of effective strategic decision making.
  • Appreciate how methods to gather and structure data, to support divergent and convergent thinking and to assess qualitative data inputs can be incorporated within the strategy development process.
  • Analyse information and present it in an intelligble form.
  • Reflect upon the application of methods.
Indicative reading list

Core Text:
F A O'Brien and R G Dyson, Supporting Strategy: Frameworks, Methods & Models, Wiley, 2007.

Journal article /book lists are included with each lecture eg:
MM Crawford, and G Wright, 2022. The value of mass-produced COVID-19 scenarios: A quality evaluation of development
processes and scenario content. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 183, p.121937.
RG Dyson (2004)‘Strategic development and SWOT analysis at the University of Warwick’,European Journal of Operational
Research, 152, 2004, 631-640.
G Hindle, and R Vidgen, R (2018) ‘Developing a business analytics methodology: A case study in the foodbank sector’, European
Journal of Operational Research, 268 (3)
M Kunc. and FA O'Brien (2017). Exploring the development of a methodology for scenario use: Combining scenario and resource
mapping approaches. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 124, pp.150-159.
D O’Connell, K Hickson, A Pillutla (2011) Organisational visioning: An integrative review. Group & Organization Management 36
(2): 103-125
G Wright & G Cairns, Scenario thinking: Practical approaches to the future, Palgrave Macmillan, 2011

Subject specific skills

Apply the methods taught, including gathering data.

Transferable skills

Demonstrate written, analytical communication skills.
Utilise and develop analytic skills.
Use information technology (e.g. WP, www, specialist packages).
Work with others (e.g. teamwork).

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 10 sessions of 1 hour (7%)
Seminars 9 sessions of 1 hour (6%)
Online learning (independent) 10 sessions of 1 hour (7%)
Private study 48 hours (32%)
Assessment 73 hours (49%)
Total 150 hours
Private study description

Private Study.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A7
Weighting Study time
Individual Assignment (15 CATS) 80% 58 hours
Groupwork 20% 15 hours

Analysis slide pack (1500 word equivalent)

Feedback on assessment

Feedback will be provided via my.wbs.

Courses

This module is Optional for:

  • UIBA-MN34 Law and Business Four Year (Qualifying Degree)
    • Year 3 of MN34 Law and Business Studies Four Year (Qualifying Degree)
    • Year 4 of MN34 Law and Business Studies Four Year (Qualifying Degree)
  • UECA-3 Undergraduate Economics 3 Year Variants
    • Year 3 of L100 Economics
    • Year 3 of L100 Economics
    • Year 3 of L100 Economics
    • Year 3 of L116 Economics and Industrial Organization
    • Year 3 of L116 Economics and Industrial Organization
  • UECA-4 Undergraduate Economics 4 Year Variants
    • Year 4 of L103 Economics with Study Abroad
    • Year 4 of LM1H Economics, Politics & International Studies with Study Abroad
    • Year 4 of LM1H Economics, Politics & International Studies with Study Abroad
    • Year 4 of L114 Industrial Economics with Study in Europe
  • UECA-LM1D Undergraduate Economics, Politics and International Studies
    • Year 3 of LM1D Economics, Politics and International Studies
    • Year 3 of LM1D Economics, Politics and International Studies
  • Year 3 of UIBA-MN31 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies
  • UIBA-MN32 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies
    • Year 3 of MN32 Law and Business Studies (Four-Year)
    • Year 4 of MN32 Law and Business Studies (Four-Year)
  • Year 5 of UIBA-MN37 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies (Qualifying Degree) with Intercalated Year
  • UIBA-MN35 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (3+1)
    • Year 3 of MN35 Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (3+1)
    • Year 4 of MN35 Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (3+1)
  • Year 5 of UIBA-MN36 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (4+1)
  • Year 3 of USTA-G300 Undergraduate Master of Mathematics,Operational Research,Statistics and Economics
  • Year 3 of UMAA-GL11 Undergraduate Mathematics and Economics
  • Year 4 of UECA-GL12 Undergraduate Mathematics and Economics (with Intercalated Year)
  • USTA-G1G4 Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics (BSc MMathStat) (with Intercalated Year)
    • Year 4 of G1G4 Mathematics and Statistics (BSc MMathStat) (with Intercalated Year)
    • Year 5 of G1G4 Mathematics and Statistics (BSc MMathStat) (with Intercalated Year)

This module is Unusual option for:

  • UPHA-L1CA Undergraduate Economics, Psychology and Philosophy
    • Year 2 of L1CA Economics, Psychology and Philosophy
    • Year 3 of L1CA Economics, Psychology and Philosophy
  • UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics
    • Year 3 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)
    • Year 3 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)
    • Year 3 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)

This module is Option list A for:

  • USTA-Y602 Undergraduate Mathematics,Operational Research,Statistics and Economics
    • Year 3 of Y602 Mathematics,Operational Research,Stats,Economics
    • Year 3 of Y602 Mathematics,Operational Research,Stats,Economics
  • Year 4 of USTA-Y603 Undergraduate Mathematics,Operational Research,Statistics,Economics (with Intercalated Year)

This module is Option list B for:

  • Year 4 of UCSA-G504 MEng Computer Science (with intercalated year)
  • UCSA-G500 Undergraduate Computer Science
    • Year 3 of G500 Computer Science
    • Year 3 of G500 Computer Science
  • UCSA-G502 Undergraduate Computer Science (with Intercalated Year)
    • Year 4 of G502 Computer Science with Intercalated Year
    • Year 4 of G502 Computer Science with Intercalated Year
  • UCSA-G503 Undergraduate Computer Science MEng
    • Year 3 of G500 Computer Science
    • Year 3 of G503 Computer Science MEng
    • Year 3 of G503 Computer Science MEng
  • USTA-GG14 Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics (BSc)
    • Year 3 of GG14 Mathematics and Statistics
    • Year 3 of GG14 Mathematics and Statistics
  • Year 4 of USTA-GG17 Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics (with Intercalated Year)

This module is Option list C for:

  • Year 4 of UCSA-G504 MEng Computer Science (with intercalated year)
  • UCSA-G500 Undergraduate Computer Science
    • Year 3 of G500 Computer Science
    • Year 3 of G500 Computer Science
  • UCSA-G502 Undergraduate Computer Science (with Intercalated Year)
    • Year 4 of G502 Computer Science with Intercalated Year
    • Year 4 of G502 Computer Science with Intercalated Year
  • UCSA-G503 Undergraduate Computer Science MEng
    • Year 3 of G500 Computer Science
    • Year 3 of G503 Computer Science MEng
    • Year 3 of G503 Computer Science MEng
  • Year 5 of USTA-G301 Undergraduate Master of Mathematics,Operational Research,Statistics and Economics (with Intercalated

This module is Option list D for:

  • USTA-G301 Undergraduate Master of Mathematics,Operational Research,Statistics and Economics (with Intercalated
    • Year 3 of G30G Master of Maths, Op.Res, Stats & Economics (Operational Research and Statistics Stream) Int
    • Year 4 of G30G Master of Maths, Op.Res, Stats & Economics (Operational Research and Statistics Stream) Int
  • Year 3 of USTA-G1G3 Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics (BSc MMathStat)

This module is Option list G for:

  • UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics
    • Year 2 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)
    • Year 2 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)
    • Year 2 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)