Questions and Topics We Can Help You To Answer:
Paper Instructions:
Complete a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis of an organization of your choice.
A SWOT analysis is vital to generating long-term strategies.
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By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:
Competency 3: Apply a sequential process for developing and implementing strategies, goals, objectives, and tactics as part of the strategic plan implementation.
Describe internal strengths of the selected organization.
Describe internal weaknesses of the selected organization.
Describe external opportunities of the selected organization.
Describe external threats of the selected organization.
Competency Map
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Context
Strategic management is the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of decisions that help a business achieve its goals (David, 2014). Strategy formulation includes the development of a vision and a mission, determining internal strengths and weaknesses, identifying external opportunities and threats (also known as a SWOT analysis), and establishing long-term strategies and objectives. Strategy implementation requires the organization to create policies and short-term objectives, and to allocate resources so strategies can be achieved. Strategy evaluation reviews external and internal factors, measures performance, and takes corrective action. Strategy formulation can occur at the corporate, divisional, business unit, or functional level. There are financial and non-financial benefits in strategic planning. Success increasingly depends upon being competitive in the global market. Strategic planning can help achieve this imperative.
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Questions to Consider
To deepen your understanding, you are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of the business community.
Read the mission statement of an organization with which you are either currently employed or very familiar, and analyze the following questions:
Does this mission statement successfully reflect the organization's goals?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of this mission statement?
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Resources
Suggested Resources
The following optional resources are provided to support you in completing the assessment or to provide a helpful context. For additional resources, refer to the Research Resources and Supplemental Resources in the left navigation menu of your courseroom.
Library Resources
The following e-books or articles from the Capella University Library are linked directly in this course:
Morden, T. (2007). Principles of strategic management. Abingdon, Oxon, GBR: Ashgate Publishing Group.
Tedlow, R. S. (2005, December). Becoming Andy Grove: A Harvard historian explains how Intel's legendary chief became the best model we have for leading a business in the 21st century. Fortune, 152(12), 116–138.
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Assessment Instructions
Preparation
Choose an organization on which to complete a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis. Ideally, the company you choose will be a familiar one and one to which you have easy access, such as your place of employment or a company close to where you live. You may use the same organization for other assessments in this course. Think of yourself as an outside consultant hired to research, assess, formulate, recommend, and evaluate your selected organization.
It is important to remember that opportunities and threats are external to an organization, and strengths and weaknesses are internal to an organization.
SWOT Analysis
Complete the following:
First, identify and describe what you consider to be your chosen organization's internal strengths and weaknesses. Examples of internal factors include employees, management, and finance. Use the terms "Strengths" and "Weaknesses" as titles. Then, list three or more factors under each title and describe them.
Second, identify and describe what you consider to be the organization's external opportunities and threats. Opportunities and threats may include a variety of factors, such as economics, technology, demographics, environmental considerations, culture, competition, and political influences. Use the terms "Opportunities" and "Threats" as titles. Then, list three or more factors under each title and describe them.
Be sure to both identify and describe the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of your chosen organization.
Additional Requirements
Written communication: Written communication is free of errors that detract from the overall message.
APA formatting: If you use sources, ensure that resources and citations are formatted according to APA (6th edition) style and formatting.
Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
