[u06a1] Unit 06 Assignment 1
Using a
SWOT Analysis for Strategic Thinking
Assignment Overview
The organizational leadership· of
your selected firm (Ford) has
requested that you provide·them with an executive PowerPoint presentation· synthesizing your internal· and external· analyses
of the firm , as well as recommend· potential strategic actions
the company· could take· to address· the issues
raised by your analyses .
Assignment Context
By successfully completing
this assignment· , you will demonstrate· your proficiency
in the following course· competencies
and assignment· criteria:
·
Competency
2– Analyze the fit· of the internal· elements (resources , capabilities , goals
, structures , systems , and values) with the
organizational strategy· .
o Illustrate the key· strengths
, weaknesses , opportunities , and threats using a SWOT table· .
o Relate the
SWOT analysis· to key· strategic actions for the selected
firm .
o Examine
the internal· resources , capabilities , and competencies of the
selected firm .
·
Competency
3– Analyze an
organization’s strategic fit· with
the external· environment· and primary industry· in
which it competes .
o Analyze the
firm’s external· environment· , including
its general· environment· , industry· ,
and competitive· position· .
·
Competency
4– Communicate in a manner· that is professional and
consistent with expectations for members of the business· professions
.
o Write coherently
to support· a central· idea; use· current
APA style· , and correct grammar , usage· , and mechanics ,
as expected of a business·professional .
Assignment Preparation
If necessary , familiarize
yourself with Microsoft PowerPoint
and a SWOT analysis· format
. Both are required to complete this assignment· . A SWOT table·template
is available from several sources that you can find· on the Web , or
you can create· a simple table· on your own
using Microsoft Word or Excel .
You will need
to include· at least five current , scholarly , or professional
resources to support· your presentation· .
Assignment Requirements
Develop a PowerPoint presentation· of
8 – 12 slides (with speaker’s notes) that synthesizes the internal· and external· analyses
for your selected firm . Your presentation· is
to include· a well-developed SWOT analysis· ,
a summary· of potential strategic actions , and the following:
Summary of SWOT Analysis
·
Examine the internal· resources , capabilities , and
competencies of the selected firm ,
using key· strategic management· tools and models such as
the VRIO Framework and Value Chain .
o Look specifically for capabilities
that are required for the company’s competitive· advantage· .
o Be specific about the firm’s
resources (both tangible· and intangible) that seem· most
strategically important· , now and in your vision· of the
company’s future· strategic development· .
o Clearly state· where
firmStrengths andWeaknesses are found.
·
Analyze the firm’s external· environment· ,
including its general· environment· , industry· ,
and competitive· position· . Choose a
strategic management· model· such as PEST analysis· or
Porter’s Five Forces Model to use· in this analysis· .
Clearly state· where external·Opportunities andThreats are found.
·
Illustrate the key· strengths , weaknesses ,
opportunities , and threats using a SWOT table· . You might
also develop· a SWOT figure· that depicts your findings in
a way· that allows for
more effective· integration· and synthesis· of
your key· ideas .
Strategic Actions Based on SWOT Analysis
·
Relate the SWOT analysis· to
the key· strategic actions the selected firm could take· to
further its alignment· and long-term success· .
o How can
you relate· internal· strengths and weaknesses with
opportunities and threats in the external· environment· ?
o Are there capabilities that
need to be· enhanced in order· to capitalize on
opportunities or reduce· threats ? Are there capabilities that
can be·divested because they no longer are need in the current or
projected environment· ?
o What are the strategic actions
that would align· specific strengths and weaknesses with specific
opportunities and threats ?
Your presentation· should be· written
clearly and be· communicated effectively to
organizational leadership· in
a business· environment· . Keep in mind·that the audience
is an upper level· leadership· audience , so formatting
your content· to appeal· to that audience
will help· your presentation· be· on point· .
Submission Requirements
·
References: Support your
PowerPoint presentation· with at least
five academic· resources from the Capella University Library . You
must use· current APA style· and format for citations and
references .
·
Length: 8 – 10 PowerPoint slides
(with speaker’s notes) , plus references and title· slide· .
·
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· .
Refer to the Using a SWOT
Analysis for Strategic Thinking Scoring Guide to ensure· that
you meet· the grading criteria for this assignment· .
Note: Your instructor· may
also use· the Writing Feedback Tool
to provide· feedback· on your writing . In the tool· ,
click the linked resources for helpful writing information .
Resources
·
Using a SWOT Analysis for Strategic Thinking Scoring
Guide.
·
Writing Feedback Tool.
·
Case 8: Procter & Gamble’s Organization 2005 Project.
·
Firm Research Information.
·
The Virgin Group in 2012.
·
Guidelines for Effective Powerpoint Presentations.
·
Ford and the World Automobile Industry in 2012.
·
Library Quick Start Tutorials..
·
APA Style and Format.
