Questions and Topics We Can Help You To Answer

Overview
For this project, you will analyze a business case and make recommendations based on the outcome of your analysis. The goal is to demonstrate strategic critical thinking skills when analyzing a business scenario, taking all factors into account, and recommend a strategy to move that company forward. Your analysis and recommendations should flow together, providing your readers with a clear picture of the issues at hand and leading them to the logical conclusion of your strategic recommendations. Your case analysis should be designed for an audience of working adults who are seeking to improve their understanding of your chosen topic.

In Unit 6, you will submit a complete draft of your analysis. Your final submission is due in Unit 9. Before you submit the final version of your paper, revise your draft based on the feedback you receive. In addition, as you learn new concepts within the final units of the course, you may need to revisit your draft and add additional supporting points or content, as warranted.

Case Topic
The case you will analyze is included in your text, specifically, "Case 30: Yahoo! Inc.: Marissa Mayer's Challenge," pages 30-1 to 30-12. In preparation for your case analysis, read "Guide to Strategic Management Case Analysis" in the text, which provides valuable advice on how to analyze a business case. As you develop your analysis and recommendations, use the tools provided in your text to guide you. Also, consider the information and knowledge you are acquiring and think about how you can apply this in your current professional work.

Reference
Pearce, J. A., & Robinson, R. B. (2015). Strategic management (14th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.

To successfully complete this project, you will be expected to:
Solve problems within professional standards.
Plan strategically for domestic and global environments.
Employ high-performing business management techniques.
Use appropriate financial models and principles to support decisions.
Communicate effectively.
Create organizational value.
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Project Requirements
To achieve a successful project experience and outcome, you are expected to meet the following requirements.
Content and flow: In your final submission, be sure that the:
Structure is evident, understandable, and appropriate.
Main and supporting points are easily identifiable, plausible, and clear.
Paper employs a minimum of four reputable sources to support main points.
Logic is identifiable, reasonable, and sound.
Paper includes at least two charts, graphs, or visual aids to support your points.
Transitions from point to point are excellent and paragraphs support solid topic sentences.
Number of pages: Your final paper must be 6–8 pages, excluding the title page and reference list.
File format: Be sure to submit your paper in Microsoft Word format.
Style and formatting: Use proper APA sixth edition style to cite and reference your sources. Also follow APA formatting guidelines for the layout of your paper. Refer to the Capella Online Writing Center's APA sixth edition style and formatting module on iGuide for more information.
Written communication: Written communication should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
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Project Grading Criteria
Case Analysis Scoring Guide Grading Rubric
Criteria    Non-performance    Basic    Proficient    Distinguished
Analyze the strategic fit between the business vision and the key elements of the business strategy, considering domestic and global environments. 
11%    Does not analyze the strategic fit between the business vision and the key elements of the business strategy.    Analyzes strategic fit between the business vision and the key elements of the business strategy, but does not consider domestic and global environments.    Analyzes the strategic fit between the business vision and the key elements of the business strategy, considering domestic and global environments.    Analyzes the strategic fit between the business vision and the key elements of the business strategy, considering domestic and global environments, and provides supporting evidence and examples.
Analyze the alignment between business strategy, customer needs, and overall teaching and learning model to determine how organizational value has been established. 
11%    Does not describe the alignment between business strategy, customer needs, and overall teaching and learning model to determine how organizational value has been established.    Describes but does not analyze the alignment between business strategy, customer needs, and overall teaching and learning model to determine how organizational value has been established.    Analyzes the alignment between business strategy, customer needs, and overall teaching and learning model to determine how organizational value has been established.    Evaluates the alignment between business strategy, customer needs, and overall teaching and learning model to determine how and the degree to which organizational value has been established.
Create organizational value in the recommendations provided. 
11%    Does not create organizational value in the recommendations provided.    Does not fully correlate the creation of organizational value in the recommendations provided.    Creates organizational value in the recommendations provided.    Creates organizational value in the recommendations provided and provides a detailed description of how value is created through decisions made.
Demonstrate the ability to plan strategically in domestic and global environments in the recommendations provided. 
11%    Does not demonstrate the ability to plan strategically in domestic and global environments in the recommendations provided.    Demonstrates a limited or inconsistent ability to plan strategically in domestic and global environments in the recommendations provided.    Demonstrates the ability to plan strategically in domestic and global environments in the recommendations provided.    Demonstrates an excellent ability to plan strategically in domestic and global environments in the recommendations provided.
Employ high-performing business management techniques in the analysis and recommendations; the techniques consistently promote delivery of value-added, bottom-line results. 
12%    Does not employ high-performing business management techniques in the analysis and recommendations; the techniques do not promote delivery of value-added, bottom-line results.    Inconsistently employs high-performing business management techniques in the analysis and recommendations; the techniques inconsistently promote delivery of value-added, bottom-line results.    Employs high-performing business management techniques in the analysis and recommendations; the techniques consistently promote delivery of value-added, bottom-line results.    Integrates high-performing business management techniques in the analysis and recommendations; the integrated techniques consistently promote delivery of value-added, bottom-line results.
Solve problems within professional standards. 
11%    Does not solve problems within professional standards.    Inconsistently solves problems within professional standards.    Solves problems within professional standards.    Consistently solves problems within professional standards and provides supporting evidence and examples.
Use appropriate financial models and principles to support decisions and recommendations. 
11%    Does not use financial models and principles to support decisions and recommendations.    Uses financial models and principles to support decisions and recommendations, but the models and principles are either inappropriate or inadequate in providing support.    Uses appropriate financial models and principles to support decisions and recommendations.    Uses and integrates multiple, appropriate financial models and principles to support decisions and recommendations.
Use proper APA style and formatting, effective written communication skills, and supported evidence to communicate effectively; the frequency of style and formatting errors does not affect the writing. 
11%    Improperly uses APA style and formatting to communicate; the frequency of style and formatting errors obstructs clarity.    Inconsistently uses proper APA style and formatting to communicate; the frequency of style and formatting errors detracts from the strength of the writing.    Uses proper APA style and formatting, effective written communication skills, and supported evidence to communicate effectively; the frequency of style and formatting errors does not affect the writing.    Demonstrates excellent use of proper APA style and formatting, effective written communication skills, and supported evidence to communicate effectively; there are no style or formatting errors.
Demonstrate effective written communication skills. 
11%    Does not demonstrate effective written communication skills.    Demonstrates inconsistent effective written communication skills.    Demonstrates effective written communication skills.    Demonstrates excellent written communication skills.
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Project Components
Project Component    Course Grade Weight    Unit Due
Case Analysis Project – Preparation    0%    2
Research for Case Analysis Project    0%    4
Case Analysis Project – Preparation    0%    5
Draft – Case Analysis    10%    6
Revision – Case Analysis    0%    8
Case Analysis    30%    9
Total:    40%    
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[u02s1] Unit 2 Study 1
Case Analysis Project – Preparation
This activity is the introduction and preparation for the case analysis course project. The draft is due in Unit 6 and the final project is due in Unit 9.

In this course, you will also be expected to complete an individual course project, in which you will demonstrate strategic critical thinking skills by analyzing a business scenario and recommending strategies to help that business move forward towards its goals. In preparation for this 6–8-page paper, complete the following:

Read the unit introduction, if you have not already.
Read the Case Analysis course project description.
Use your text to read "Guide to Strategic Management Case Analysis," pages 442–450, and "Case 30: "Yahoo! Inc.: Marissa Mayer's Challenge," pages 30-1 to 30-12. Note: This case will be referred to as "Case 30" for the remainder of the course.
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[u04s2] Unit 4 Study 2
Research for Case Analysis Project
Resources
Website icon APA Style and Format.
Website icon Capella University Library.
Remember that the draft of your course project is due in Unit 6. You should be working on the research at this time.

At this point, you should be researching the selected case study in preparation for writing the draft. The library provides access to several databases to aid your search for reputable resources. You will need to cite your references according to APA sixth edition style and formatting guidelines.

Use your Strategic Management text to review "Guide to Strategic Management Case Analysis," pages 442–450, and "Case 30: "Yahoo! Inc.: Marissa Mayer's Challenge," pages 30-1 to 30-12. This, along with the links in the Resources area, will be helpful to you as you work on your paper.

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[u05s2] Unit 5 Study 2
Case Analysis Project – Preparation
Resources
Scoring Guide icon Draft – Case Analysis Scoring Guide.
Website icon Capella Writing Center.
Remember that the draft of your case analysis project is due in Unit 6. If you have not started your project yet, it is recommended that you start now.

As you write your draft, use the Case Analysis course project description (linked in the Resources) to ensure your analysis and recommendations meet all of the project requirements.

Use your Strategic Management text to review the "Guide to Strategic Management Case Analysis" and Case 30. This, along with the links given in the Resources area, will be helpful to you as you work on your paper.

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[u06a2] Unit 6 Assignment 2
Draft – Case Analysis
Resources
Website icon Draft – Case Analysis Scoring Guide.
Website icon Capella Writing Center.
Reading icon Guide to Strategic Management Case Analysis and Case #3.
The draft of your course project is due.

Complete the draft using the Case Analysis course project description and your text to guide your work. When complete, submit your draft as an attachment in the assignment area.

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[u08s2] Unit 8 Study 2
Revision – Case Analysis
Resources
Website icon Capella Writing Center.
This is the time to start revising your project, which is due in Unit 9.

Based on the feedback you have received from your instructor, begin revising your course project. Also take into consideration any new concepts you have explored in these final units of the course. You may wish to revisit your draft and add additional supporting points or content, as warranted. The final submission of your project is due in Unit 9.

Remember to consult the Case Analysis course project description as you finish your paper.

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[u09a2] Unit 9 Assignment 2
Case Analysis
Resources
Website icon Case Analysis Scoring Guide.
Website icon APA Style and Format.
The final version of your course project is due. Before you submit your case analysis for grading:

Revise your paper to reflect any feedback you have received from your instructor regarding the project draft.
Review the Case Analysis course project description to ensure your project meets all of the requirements.
When complete, submit your document as an attachment to the assignment area.