ASSESSMENT 3 BRIEF

Subject Code and Title MGT604 Strategic Management

Assessment Contemporary Analysis

Individual/Group Individual

Length Up to 2,000 words

Learning Outcomes a) Critically examine how strategic management and

core competencies can build and sustain competitive
advantage in different organisational contexts
b) Critically evaluate different strategy formulation
processes utilized by organisations and evaluate their
relevance to particular organisational contexts
c) Develop and plan the implementation of a selected
strategy for different organisational levels including for
change management processes
d) Consider the external environment of an organisation
and analyse capabilities that can enhance potential
market opportunities and manage risk.

Submission By 11.55pm AEST/AEDT Friday of Module 6.1 (Week 11)

Weighting 40%

Total Marks 40 marks

Context:
The assessment of this subject supports students in developing their skills and knowledge in
the foundational management topics that include external environmental assessment,
problem diagnosis, strategy development, and the consideration of cultural and ethical
contexts. Effective strategic management is designed to proactively respond to changes in
technology, external environment, and market tastes. A contemporary understanding of the
dynamic forces shaping strategic choices is essential for the successful execution and
delivery of strategy.
Instructions:
1. Over the duration of the course, you are to monitor news and online sources of
opinion to identify three (3) separate strategic influences that together impact on
the outcomes of an organisation of your choice. These influential factors may be
local, national or international in nature, but they must represent a changing or

MGT604_Assess 3_Contemporary Analysis

 evolving story. For example, advances in battery technology, stricter emission
controls, and a general move towards sustainable energy has resulted in General
Motors (and indeed almost all car manufacturers) actively marketing electric or
hybrid models for release in coming years. Note this example is not to be used in
your submission.

2. You are to discuss how the practice of strategy categorises these strategic influences,
and identify the implications for the organisation in question.

3. Drawing upon your understanding of theories, models and frameworks discussed in

class, you are to identify a strategic course of action to address these circumstances
(by either capitalising on positive influences, or minimising the impact of negative
influence) in a way that will result in long-term benefit to the organisation. This
should include a statement of the firm’s revised goals as a result of this change in
strategy.

Your Contemporary Analysis should be structured as follows:

Section 1: Title page

Section 2: Executive Summary

An executive summary provides a succinct summary of the content within the report. It
presents information in such a way that readers are able to understand the intention and
key elements of the report without having to read the entire document.

Section 3: Table of Contents

Table of Contents must have accurate page numbers and be attractively formatted.

Section 4: Introduction
The introduction sets the scene and provides context for the aim. It provides background to
the issues being addressed only.

Section 5: Aim
The aim should start with the words, “The aim of this report is to…”. It should be a simple
and concise restatement of the assessment task.

Section 6: Discussion
 This section should provide information regarding the analysis you undertook
addressing the key deliverables.
 Identify three strategic influences that together impact on your chosen organisation.

MGT604_Assess 3_Contemporary Analysis

  Discuss how the practice of strategy categorises these factors and identify the
strategic implications for the organisation in question.
 Identify a strategic course of action that can be adopted by the organisation you
have chosen.
 Present a statement of the strategic goals the firm should set, and their implication
on the organisation.

Section 7: Conclusion
The conclusion restates the aim then provides a brief and concise summary of the discussion
to demonstrate that the aim of the report has been achieved. No new information is to be
included in the conclusion.

Section 8: Recommendations.
Recommendations represent the next steps derived from the report. For example, if your
report concludes that a new factory is required to address the strategic change then the
next steps will include obtaining finance to purchase the new facility and/or assembling and
mobilising a team to explore options for location and size of the new facility.

Section 9: References
Please use the correct API referencing style and list in alphabetical order. It is recommended
that you use reference management software such as EndNote or Mendeley to make the
job of referencing simple and straightforward. Remember, every factual statement in your
report will require a reference.

Section 10: Appendices

This is where you provide supporting material which is unsuitable for inclusion in the body
of the report, but still has some value to contribute to the report.

Submission Instructions:

This Contemporary Analysis is to be written according to academic writing guidelines and

must be submitted in compliance with the following;
1. You should make significant references to the subject material and substantial wider
reading. A minimum four (4) academic (books & peer-reviewed journal articles) &
five (5) other sources (newspaper article, trade publications, websites, etc.) must be
used. These should be referenced in the APA style, both in-text and in a reference
list. References to ‘Wikipedia’ or similar unsubstantiated sources will not be
accepted. The assignment is to include in-text citations and a reference list following
the latest APA referencing style. The APA referencing guide can be located in the
Academic Writing Guide at http://library.think.edu.au/ld.php?content_id=1882254

MGT604_Assess 3_Contemporary Analysis

Students are to submit Assessment 3, Contemporary Analysis (with references) via the
Assessment link in the main navigation menu in MGT604 Strategic Management on the
Student Portal. The Learning Facilitator will provide feedback via Grade Centre in the
Student Portal. Feedback can be viewed in My Grades.

Students should use the brief to guide what to include in the assessment and the following
rubric to inform the standard required.

MGT604_Assess 3_Contemporary Analysis

Rubric: Assessment 3 – MGT604 Assessment 3 Contemporary Analysis

Pass Credit Distinction High Distinction

Assessment Fail (Unacceptable)
(Functional) (Proficient) (Advanced) (Exceptional)
Attributes 0-49%
50-64% 65-74% 75 -84% 85-100%
Research and Content does not Content somewhat Good coverage of the topic Thorough coverage of the Demonstrates a
adequately demonstrate superficial or with some with clearly articulated topic. Good application of comprehensive
comprehension:
a postgraduate standard gaps in understanding. explanation of the topic. theory. Good use of understanding; insightful
30% of detail and thought. Reasonable fit between credible sources. discussion; excellent and
theory and practice. relevant application of
theory. Multiple and
credible references used.

Analysis and Reader cannot Basic intent covered; Reader understands the Reader has a good sense Readers’ understanding
understand the analysis and arguments arguments presented of the analysis and of the analysis and
synthesis:
foundations of the could be more convincing through focused analysis evidence which is well arguments is clear;
30% topics from the with some evidence and evidence. discussed in argument. logical and well
information provided. provided. Insights are drawn from organised; detailed and
Poor logic. No evidence synthesised information insightful analysis;
provided to support structured arguments;
arguments. synthesis and
understanding of links
between issues.

Writing mechanics: Layout is confusing; Layout is adequate with Overall presentation is easy Good presentation Overall style, use of
logic, flow and use of acceptable logic flow and to digest; language succinct content and language; language, figures and
15% language difficult to use of language. Some and well chosen; less than easy to read and draw tables encourages
follow; numerous misspellings and four spelling and conclusions; no more comprehension; creative
spelling and grammatical errors. grammatical errors. than two spelling and and engaging report.
grammatical errors. grammatical errors.

MGT604_Assess 3_Contemporary Analysis Page 5 of 6

Reflection and Little reflection evident; Poor reflections and Good reflections Rich reflections drawing Insightful conclusions
unclear conclusions. generic or somewhat highlighting key aspects; from good research, drawing from the
conclusions:
irrelevant conclusions. relevant conclusions which analysis and synthesis. discussion and evidence;
25% are a mix of generic and Relevant and specific creative and insightful
specific conclusions. conclusions. reflection with relevance
to the topic.

MGT604_Assess 3_Contemporary Analysis Page 6 of 6