Overview

Write a 4–6-page objective review of the internal strengths and weaknesses of your selected firm that the firm's leaders can use to plan for the future direction of the organization.As a business professional, you may need to create executive briefing reports. Such reports are likely to focus on such topics as: how a firm leverages its resources and capabilities to execute the business strategy; the effectiveness of the organizational structure and management system; or ethical dilemmas and governance issues. This assessment allows you to practice creating an executive briefing report on these topics in relation to a specific firm.SHOW LESSBy successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

• Competency 1: Apply strategic theories, models, and best practices to understand and explain an organization's strategy.
  • Explain possible ethical dilemmas and governance issues.
• Competency 2: Analyze the fit of the internal elements (resources, capabilities, goals, structures, systems, and values) with the organizational strategy.
  • Evaluate how the selected firm leverages its resources and capabilities to execute the business strategy.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of the organizational structure and management system design.
• Competency 4: Communicate in a manner that is professional and consistent with expectations for members of the business professions.
  • Write coherently to support a central idea (in appropriate APA format) with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics as expected of a business professional.

Competency Map

CHECK YOUR PROGRESSUse this online tool to track your performance and progress through your course.

Context

In this assessment, you will continue your analysis of firm resources, capabilities, and core competencies, as well as the strategic fit of the firm's goals and values with its strategy.SHOW MORE

Questions to Consider

As you prepare to complete this assessment, you may want to think about other related issues to deepen your understanding or broaden your viewpoint. 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 your professional community. Note that these questions are for your own development and exploration and do not need to be completed or submitted as part of your assessment.SHOW MORE

Resources

Required Resources

Use the Assessment 3 Executive Briefing Report Template [DOC] to complete the assessment.SHOW MORE

Assessment Instructions

Overview

The vice president of strategy for your selected firm (Ford, Proctor and Gamble, Virgin Group, or another firm you have selected) has asked you to prepare an objective review of the internal strengths and weaknesses of the firm. Your leaders are hoping to use this understanding to plan for the future direction of the organization.

Preparation

Use the Capella University Library, the Internet, or resources provided in the Firm Research Information document (in the Suggested Resources) to find at least four current, scholarly, or professional resources that provide the information you need for this assessment.

Requirements

Prepare a 4–6-page executive briefing report identifying not only internal strengths and weaknesses, but also a rationale that addresses why your analysis pointed to a particular strength or a weakness. Also be sure to focus on strategic elements (capabilities) of the firm and on how the strategic elements fit into the strategic position of the company.Use the Executive Briefing Report template available in the Required Resources. Use headings and subheadings to help organize the key points of your 4–6-page executive briefing report and include the following:

• Evaluate how the selected firm leverages its resources and capabilities to execute the business strategy. Are the firm's capabilities found in its functions or the value chain, or both? Does the strategy give coherence to decisions about allocation of resources?
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the organizational structure and management system design. Include the firm's ability to support the key resources and capabilities that execute the business strategy. Is the organizational structure suited for the particular tasks and particular business environment of the firm?
• Explain possible ethical dilemmas and governance issues. These issues may include shareholders and stakeholders, distribution of excess profits, and top management's pay.

Use clear headings and subheadings to organize the key points of your report.Your report should be clearly written and communicate effectively to organizational leadership; use correct grammar, spelling and mechanics as expected of a business professional. Cite and reference all sources using current APA style.

Additional Requirements

• References: Support your executive briefing report with at least four academic resources from the Capella University Library.
• APA Style: Use proper APA style for all citations and references.
• Length: The body of the report must be 4–6 double-spaced, typed pages, not including the references list.
• Written communication: Demonstrate graduate-level writing skills through accurate communication of thoughts that convey the overall goals of the analysis and do not detract from the message.
• Font: Times New Roman, 12 point.

Note: Faculty may also use the Writing Feedback Tool to provide feedback on your writing. In the tool, click the linked resources for helpful writing information.