Project Descriptions

Authentic Assessment (50% of final grade)

The Authentic Assessment for BMGT495 is a 2-phase research project that is designed for students to perform a rigorous analysis of a company`s strategic direction, integrating key material learned throughout the courses you have taken for the Business Administration degree.  This means the project is geared towards the functional areas of business, i.e., accounting, marketing, management, finance, information technology, human resources, etc.

Course Outcomes Met with the Authentic Assessment:

    * use the strategic management process to analyze companies, nonprofit organizations, or governmental units and recommend specific changes needed for their sustainability

    * demonstrate an understanding the role of visioning and construct a mission statement of an organization that reflects its core competencies and values

    * prepare an external factor analysis that considers a rapidly changing environment to include: the economy, technology, demographic factors, political/legal factors and global issues

    * prepare an internal scan of the organization using principles of accounting, finance, management, marketing, information systems, and human resources

    * assess and determine the appropriate type of strategies for the organization being analyzed and develop and recommend business strategies to improve the organization`s competitive advantage

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Phase I - (20%)

For this project, you will identify a company that you will analyze.  It is acceptable to use your own company. Students are expected to research, and analyze the mission and vision statement of the company.  Students will also perform a Situational Analysis evaluating both the external environment and internal environment, specifically discussing both current and future external factors that will affect the strategic possibilities of the company being analyzed.  You should use the External Evaluation Matrix as a summarization tool.  Once the situational analysis is complete, students will develop the current financial situation, preparing and analyzing the income statement for the most current three years.  Additionally, students are expected to provide a trend analysis, perform a comparison to the industry, and discuss the company`s solvency, efficiency and profitability.  Lastly, students will discuss the organizational structure and do an analysis on the board of directors, the organization`s culture, its leadership, and the competition the organization faces. Phase I will be due in the 6th week of class.

Grading Rubric for Phase I

Mission and Vision Statements Analysis

1.  Analyze the mission statement

2.  Analyze the vision statement

(Is the mission statement effective?  The decision is supported by looking closely at the language, organization and content.  How could the mission statement be more effective).  Critique the mission and vision statements to the company`s strategic direction

Situation Analysis

External Factor Evaluation (EFE) and Internal Factor Evaluation (IFE)

1.    Identify and explain all micro and macro forces that shape the company`s strategic plan.

2.    Perform a competitive analysis using tools such as Porter`s Five Forces.  Explain and evaluate the company`s strategic direction

3.    Explain and evaluate the relationship between the tool and the company`s strategic direction

4.    Incorporate a competitive profile matrix (CPM) and explain the results

Financial Analysis

Analyze, evaluate, and draw conclusions on the financial performance of the company relative to the company`s strategic plan

1.   Prepare and analyze the income statement from the past 3-4 years including the EPS and the diluted earnings per share. (prepare a table of the financial data by year or year-to-date.  Include ratios: debt-to-equity, total asset turnover, price-to-earnings, price-to-book value, and any other significant financial data.

2.    Perform trend analyses

3.    Compare company ratios to industry averages

4.    Perform ratio analysis on the company`s solvency, efficiency and profitability (ratios)

5.    Include a summary of findings with a conclusion

Organizational Analysis

Analyze the corporate structure

1.    Analyze the Board of Directors, corporate culture, the key leader and his/her leadership style (CEO), competition and market share.

2.    Analyze the organizational structure to include a stakeholder analysis (stockholders, board of directors, functional staff, strategic business units (SBU?s), employees, customers, suppliers and other influencing groups.

3.    Determine the type of organizational structure.  What is the company`s current industry life cycle stage?

Writing, Grammar, Spelling & Punctuation; Use of APA Citation Methodology

Paper is clear and concise and appropriate grammar is used throughout; APA is followed with proper in-text citing and a reference page included.