Assignment Brief 1 (RQF)

Higher National Certificate/Diploma in Business

Student Name/ID
Number:

Unit Number and Title: Unit 32: Business Strategy (574)

Academic Year: 2019

Unit Assessor:

Assignment Title: ASSIGNMENT 1 – External audit

Issue Date:

Submission Date:

Internal Verifier Name:

Date:

Submission Format:

Format:

 This assignment is an Individual report.

 You must use font Calibri size 12, set number of the pages and use multiple line
spacing at 1.5. Margins must be: left: 1.25 cm; right: 1 cm; top: 1 cm and bottom: 1
cm.
 You should use in text references and a list of all cited sources at the end of the essay
by applying Harvard referencing style.
 The recommended word limit is 1000-1500 words (+/-10%), excluding the tables,
graphs, diagrams, appendixes and references. You will not be penalized for exceeding
the total word limit.
 The cover page of the report has to be the Assignment front sheet 1 (to be attached with
this assignment brief).

Submission

 Students are compulsory to submit the assignment in due date (slot 15) and in a way
requested by the Tutor.
 The form of submission will be a soft copy posted on http://cms.greenwich.edu.vn/.

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  Remember to convert the word file into PDF file before the submission on CMS.
Note:

 The individual Assignment must be your own work, and not copied by or from another
student.
 If you use ideas, quotes or data (such as diagrams) from books, journals or other
sources, you must reference your sources, using the Harvard style.
 Make sure that you understand and follow the guidelines to avoid plagiarism. Failure to
comply this requirement will result in a failed assignment.

Unit Learning Outcomes:

LO1. Analyze the impact and influence which the macro environment has on an organization
and its business strategies
LO3. Evaluate and apply the outcomes of an analysis using Porter’s Five Forces model to a
given market sector

Assignment Brief and Guidance:

*This assignment guidance is for reference only and can be customized by the tutor to meet
specific needs

Assignment scenario.
Assume that you are the head of Strategy Development of a XYZ company. You have been
required by the managing director of your company to carry out a comprehensive
organizational audit including assessing both internal and external environments. Based on
these analyses, you have to make some recommendations on which strategy the company
should pursue in the future.
Your responsibility is to find relevant data and information from trustworthy sources,
process them rationally and present the findings and strategic suggestion as a formal strategic
report, which consists of three main parts:
 Part 1: External analysis
 Part 2: Internal analysis
 Part 3: Strategic planning and evaluation

 Assignment 1 is the part 1 of the required strategic report.

Note: You are free to choose the company (regardless the nationality) at which you are
assumed to be working for (so called the chosen company).

Structure of the Report:

General introduction: the chosen company, main purposes and structure of the work.

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Main contents of the report:

1. Identify the strategic context of the company:

Identify the mission, vision and objectives of the chosen company.

Explain the role of business strategy to obtain business objectives and goals in general
and by giving example(s).

2. Carry out the macro environmental audit for the chosen company by using
PEST/PESTLE framework. You should provide evidences from credible sources to
analyze each factor of PEST/PESTLE for the chosen company.
In order to enhance your work, you should make final comments on the importance of
macro environmental analysis for the strategic development of your chosen company.
3. Carry out the industry/sector audit for the chosen organization by using relevant
analytical tools/models (e.g. the industry life cycle analysis, Porter’s 5 force model).

To improve your discussion, you should identify and discuss the critical success factors
for a company in the chosen market sector based on clear evidences/academic journals.

4. Carry out a specific stakeholder analysis and devise a stakeholder mapping for the
chosen company. Besides, you should explain the significance of stakeholder analysis
when formulating new strategy.
5. Based on all external analyses above, identify and analyze the main opportunities and
threats (O&T from SWOT) that the company is currently facing.
A conclusion to summarize all the key findings and analysis must be presented. Plus, you can
conclude whether the chosen company is facing a tough/advantageous time.

Unit assessment criteria

Pass Merit Distinction

LO1. Analyze the impact and influence which the macro LO 1,2,3 & 4
environment has on an organization and its business D1. Critique and
strategies. interpret information
and data applying
P1. Applying appropriate M1. Critically analyze the environmental and
frameworks analyze the impact macro environment to competitive analysis to
and influence of the macro determine and inform produce a set of valid
environment on a given strategic management strategic directions,
organization and its strategies. decisions. objectives and tactical
actions.

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LO3. Evaluate and apply the outcomes of an analysis using
Porter’s Five Forces model to a given market sector.
P3. Applying Porter’s Five M3. Devise appropriate
Forces model evaluate the strategies to improve
competitive forces of a given competitive edge and
market sector for an market position based on
organization. the outcomes.

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