UNIT 4

Topic: Strategic Planning

Strategic Planning: SWOT Analysis and Goals

Details:
Strategic planning within organizations provides a plethora of benefits to the organization including meeting goals specified in the plan and contributing to the long-term success of an organization. Refer to Exhibit 8.3: The Strategic Management Process, located in Chapter 8 of the Management textbook.

For this assignment, select either your own organization or one you know enough about to complete a series of assignments related to strategic planning for a proposal you would like to implement. The same organization will be used in the following assignments:

1. Strategic Planning: Strategy Map (Topic 4)

2. Strategic Planning: Action Plan (Topic 5)

3. Strategic Planning: Communication Plan (Topic 7)

4. Strategic Planning: Evaluation (Topic 8)

5. Strategic Planning: Presentation (Topic 8)

Once you have selected the organization, identify a strategic goal through preforming a SWOT analysis within your sphere of influence. For example, if you are not currently in a management or leadership position, it is acceptable to focus on a more focused area of your organization you are currently in a position to impact. If you are a classroom teacher, perhaps you see opportunities for improving access to technology in your district. If you are a nurse, perhaps you see opportunities to improve communication processes in your department, etc.

A SWOT analysis is part of strategy formulation that leads to goal setting and then progresses to the development of a strategic plan. Be sure to follow the criteria for effective goals as illustrated to Exhibit 7.5, located in Chapter 7 of the Management textbook.

Complete a SWOT analysis using the “SWOT Analysis” template. Consider the following guiding questions as you complete the SWOT Analysis:

1. What are the recognized strengths of your identified area?

2. What does your identified area do better than other companies?

3. What unique capabilities or resources does you identified area possess?

4. What do other companies consider to be your strength?

5. What are the recognized weaknesses of your identified area?

6. What do competitors do better than your identified area?

7. What areas can be improved at your current position?

8. What do other companies consider to be your weakness?

9. What trends or conditions impact the company in a positive way?

10. What opportunities exist for the identified area?

11. What trends or conditions impact the identified area in a negative way?

12. What is the competition doing that may have an impact on your identified area?

13. Does your identified area have solid financial support?

14. What impact does your weakness have on the threats your identified area faces?

These questions are samples of what you may need to address in your SWOT Analysis. Using the SWOT analysis results, develop at least one strategic goal. Submit both the completed SWOT analysis document and the strategic goal.

APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.

RESOURCES

Textbook 

1. Management 

Read Chapters 7 and 8 in Management. 

http://gcumedia.com/digital-resources/cengage/2013/management_ebook_11e.php 

2. Southwest Airlines: In a Different World 

Read Harvard Business School (HBS) case reprint, Southwest Airlines: In a Different World (2013).

http://gcumedia.com/digital-resources/harvard-business-school-press/2010/southwest-airlines_in-a-different-world_ebook_1e.php 

Electronic Resource 

1. Overview of the Strategic Planning Process 

Watch “Overview of the Strategic Planning Process,” by Virtual Strategist (2012), located on the YouTube website.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU3FLxnDv_A 

2. Strategic and Operational Planning 

Read “Strategic and Operational Planning,” located on the Taugher Change Catalyst Consulting website.

http://www.taugher.com/strategic-planning.htm 

e-Library Resource 

1. Management Use of Strategic Tools for Innovating During Turbulent Times 

Read “Management Use of Strategic Tools for Innovating During Turbulent Times,” by Tassabehji, from Strategic Change (2014).

https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=inh&AN=14829855&site=eds-live&scope=site 

2. Strategic Intent 

Read “Strategic Intent,” by Hamel and Prahalad, from Harvard Business Review (2005).

https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=17602384&site=ehost-live&scope=site 

3. Strategy Execution A Four Step Process 

Read “Strategy Execution: A Four Step Process,” by Morgan, from MWorld (2010).

https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=55728021&site=ehost-live&scope=site 

Other 

1. SWOT Analysis 

Review the “SWOT Analysis” template in preparation for the Strategic Planning: SWOT Analysis assignment.

LDR-620-R-SWOTAnalysis.docx 

 

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Remember to submit your work following the file naming convention FirstInitial.LastName_M01.docx. For example, J.Smith_M01.docx. Remember that it is not necessary to manually type in the file extension; it will automatically append.

Start by reading and following these instructions:

1. Quickly skim the questions or assignment below and the assignment rubric to help you focus.

2. Read the required chapter(s) of the textbook and any additional recommended resources. Some answers may require you to do additional research on the Internet or in other reference sources. Choose your sources carefully.

3. Consider the discussions and the any insights gained from it.

4. Create your Assignment submission and be sure to cite your sources, use APA style as required, check your spelling.

Assignment:

Assignment Description:  This assignment will be at least 1500 words or more

 This week you will reflect upon the effects of the nursing shortage to answer the following questions:

• What steps can we take to address the nursing shortage?
• Briefly define the series of events that led to the nursing shortage.
• Reflect on your future role as a nurse or healthcare employee in the midst of a nursing shortage crisis.
• How do you see the role of legislature contributing to safe staffing during a shortage?

Assignment Expectations: 

• Length:
  • 1500-2000 words (6-8 pages); answers must thoroughly address the questions in a clear, concise manner
• Structure:
  • Include a title page and reference page in APA style
• References:
  • Two scholarly references are required; you should include the appropriate APA style in-text citations and references for all resources utilized to answer the questions
• Format:
  • Save your assignment as a Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx), Open Office (.odt) or rich text format (.rtf) file type
• File name:
  • Name your saved file according to your last name, first initial and the week (for example, “jonesb.week1”)
• Submission:
  • Submit your assignment to the Drop Box

 

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Reflect on the three TED Talks you watched this week. Based on what you saw, and the material from your assigned reading, describe your experience with the role of gender and culture in the external environment and how it influences your decisions about growth in your profession. What are your observations of the organizational landscape and how gender and culture in the external environment affects your organization? Do you think that women lead differently than men, or is it a misconception? Do you think that men and women have different cultures, why?

Your paper should be sufficient in length to fully address the question(s) presented, written at the college level, adhere to APA guidelines, and include a reference list. Any sources used must be cited properly, including the online assessment, using in-text citations and a references page.

Please watch this video to do the assignment TED Talk by Sheryl Sandberg: “Why we have too few women leaders” (14:58)

 

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Now that we have covered all four frames, and as you analyze the material from the biography of your selected leader, create a map to address the components of the four frames. You may review the guidance document provided for the midterm to get an idea of the types of things you should be looking for as you examine your selected leader’s biography. This assessment by Lee Bolman: Team Frames Assessment also provides you with some ideas to think about as you create your map. You do not need to complete the assessment, just review the questions.

Create a document that provides you with an outline to ensure that you address the components from all four frames. Besides the midterm guidance document, some of the ideas to think about are:

• What frame or frames did the leader use?
• Did the leader seem to be using the guidelines for leadership outlined throughout the course?
• What other elements were used (e.g., influence, motivation, networking, etc.)?
• What did the leader do when something went wrong?
• How was success or failure celebrated?

 

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• Think about a problem in a specific unit or area of your organization or one with which you are familiar. What are the indications that there is a problem? What change may be needed? (Note: This problem should be different from the one you are addressing in the Week 2 Assignment.). A clinical problem works well; an example is that you note an increasing number of patients with deep vein thrombosis following orthopedic surgery.
• Consider how you could locate evidence to examine the needed change. What literature would you review? Which professional organization standards or recommendations may be relevant? With whom would you communicate/network to ascertain community standards? Bear in mind that you may also look at evidence from fields other than nursing.
• Review the information in the Learning Resources. Using your knowledge of contemporary theories of chaos and complexity, consider how you could adapt Lewin’s classic model for change and apply this to your selected problem.

By Day 3

Post a description of the problem, including relevant indicator(s). Provide a synopsis of how you would proceed in locating evidence, including research literature you would consult, which professional organization standards may be relevant, and with whom you would communicate or network to ascertain community standards. Then, identify how you would adapt Lewin’s classic model of change based on chaos and complexity theory to address this evidence–based change.

 

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