Strategic Business Proposal
| Module title | Strategic Business Proposal |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEMM117DA |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 20 |
| Module staff | Dr Lisa Grover (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | Multiple delivery points dependent on entry |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 50 |
|---|
Module description
The strategic business proposal module is designed to enable SL apprentices to develop a strategic piece of work that can deliver organisational change at a strategic level. The strategic business proposal is relevant to the apprentice’s role within the organisation. The eventual proposal is developed in conjunction with the module team and the apprentice will seek organisational and EPAO approval. As the module is designed to enable apprentices to develop a proposal no requirement to deliver in the workplace is needed.
Module aims - intentions of the module
Senior leaders are responsible for developing and implementing major organisational and strategic change projects that ultimately enable organisations to achieve their strategic objectives. The strategic business proposal involves the apprentice completing a relevant and defined piece of work that has a real business benefit. This module is scheduled towards the end of the apprenticeship programme and allow the apprentices the benefit of utilising the knowledge they have established during the first three modules. The module will be delivered through a three days of masterclasses followed by support from a dedicated team of project supervisors. During the masterclasses the apprentices will engage with a range of project skills and subject areas importantly but not limited to strategic and evaluative frameworks and in-depth research methods and design topics. The masterclasses will be delivered through focused workshops, group and individual sessions orientated towards supporting the students in completing their assignments. As stated, the masterclasses will be followed by support from a dedicated project supervisor, although this process will be managed and driven by the apprentices.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Critically appraise new market strategies, changing customer demands and trend analysis . K3.
- 2. Apply and appraise research methodologies and programme management. K5:
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Apply and assess systems thinking, knowledge/data management. K5:
- 4. Identify and apply financial strategies, for example scenarios, modelling and identifying trends, application of economic theory to decision-making, and how to evaluate financial and non- financial information. K8:
- 5. Manage financial governance and legal requirements, and procurement strategies. K9:
- 6. Employ influencing and negotiating strategies both upwards and outwards. K12:
- 7. Demonstrate working with board and other company leadership structures. K14:
- 8. Critically appraise brand and reputation management K15:
- 9. Evidence of working with corporate leadership structures, for example, the markets it operates in, roles and responsibilities, who its stakeholders are and what they require from the organisation and the sustainability agenda K16:
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 10. Demonstrate the ability to set strategic direction and gain support for it from key stakeholders. S2:
- 11. Design and execute research, and critically analyse and integrate complex information. S3:
- 12. Demonstrate the skill to Use financial data to allocate resources. S11:
- 13. Illustrate the use of personal presence and "storytelling" to articulate and translate vision into operational strategies, demonstrating clarity in thinking. S13:
- 14. Evidence management of relationships across multiple and diverse stakeholders. S19:
- 15. Show evidence the ability to lead within their area of control/authority, influencing both upwards and outwards, negotiating and using advocacy skills to build reputation and effective collaboration. S20:
Syllabus plan
- Refresher on previous taught content
- strategy refresher (internal & external analysis, systems thinking, VRIO, SAFe, etc)
- finance refresher (financial and non-financial data analysis, KPI’s, Balance Scorecard, etc)
- Project ideation
- Project lifecycle and programme management
- Introduction project management tools (stakeholders management, mind mapping, Fishbone, Gantt charts, risk mitigation, RACI, etc.)
- Research Methods and Methodology
- introduction to qualitative data
- introduction descriptive quantitative data
- research methods
- research methodology
- Data collection & Analysis
Project evaluation and GAP analysis techniques
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | 0 | 173 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 21 | 3 Masterclass days |
| Scheduled Learning and teaching activities | 6 | On-going support delivered through project supervisors 1 Hour individual supervision and 5 Hours of group supervision |
| Placement / study abroad | 173 | Work-based Learning - Time in employment used for research and preparation of Project Proposal. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:1/Elevator pitches | 15-minute meetings | Verbal/Written | |
| Scoping document | 500 word | Verbal/Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 | 60 | 4000-word strategic business proposal | 1 - 15 | Written |
| Assessment 2 | 40 | 20-minute presentation on strategic business proposal | 1 - 15 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 | 60% | 4000-word strategic business proposal | Programme schedule dependent |
| Assessment 2 | 40% | 20-minute presentation on strategic business proposal | Programme schedule dependent |
Re-assessment notes
All passed components of the module will be rolled forward and will not be reassessed in the event of module failure.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Suggested reading:
- Maylor H., (2010). Project Management (4th Ed). Pearson Education Limited
- Arthur A., Thompson, A., Strickland, A. J., & Janes, A. (2017). Crafting and Executing Strategy: the quest for competitive advantage: concepts and cases. McGraw-Hill Education
Additional suggested reading:
- Costley, C., Elliott, G. C., & Gibbs, P. (2010). Doing work-based research: Approaches to enquiry for insider researchers. Sage.
- Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R., & Jackson, P. R. (2012). Management research. Sage
- Gill, J., & Johnson, P. (2010). Research methods for managers. Sage.
- Saunders, M., Lewis, P. & Thornhill, A. (2009). Doing Research in Business & Management: An Essential Guid to Planning Your Project.
- Thomas, G. (2009). How to do your research project: A guide for students. Sage.
- Whitehead, J., & McNiff, J. (2006). Action research: Living theory. Sage.
| Credit value | 20 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 10 |
| Module pre-requisites | n/a |
| Module co-requisites | n/a |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | 15/03/22 |
| Last revision date | 15/11/2022 |
