Strategic Business Planning
Faculty of Social Sciences – Assessment Brief for Students – 2020/21
| Module code and title | 7BE001 – Strategic Business Planning |
| Module leader | Kevin Croker |
| Diet | First attempt – Semester 2 2021 |
| Assessment type | Portfolio of 4 assignments. |
| Submission date | Friday 4th June 2021 2pm. |
| Submission method | E-submission |
| Assessment limits | No more than 6,000 words including Reference list but excluding Appendices |
| Assessment weighting | 100% |
| Assessment brief (if appropriate, please refer to module assessment briefing document) |
| The portfolio is a combination of mini projects and exercises. Your entire portfolio should be contained in a single word document. The Harvard referencing system must be used and a bibliography attached.
Item 1 Managers within a strategic business unit or small organisation can make use of a variety of strategic techniques ideas and tools as part of the business planning process. Critically review the value of the main tools that exist to determine the most appropriate bases of competitive advantage including Porter’s thinking on generic strategies. (Indicative word limit: no more than 1,500 words. Harvard referencing convention must be applied). Item 2 Produce a meaningful wiki contribution on any business related topic of no more than the equivalent of half a page of A4 paper. Include links in your references to reliable other sources for further reading (Indicative word limit: no more than the equivalent of half a page of A4 paper. Harvard referencing convention must be applied.) Item 3 Throughout your study of this module you will be required to develop a robust checklist of review issues that would be helpful in conducting an analysis of a business plan. (Indicative word limit: no more than the equivalent of three pages of A4 paper). All published sources used in developing your checklist should be properly included in a set of references and other sources. Item 4 Follow the link below and you will find several complete business plans. In the classroom briefing you will be allocated one plan to concentrate on. Critically analyse this document using the checklist you have developed. Comment in particular on the strengths and limitations of the plan and the degree to which it meets the needs of its target audience. Indicative word limit: no more than 3,000 words excluding appendices. https://www.bplans.com/farm_and_food_production_business_plan_templates.php |
| Assessment Criteria (The actual assessment components for this assignment) | |
| Criteria | Weighting (If applicable) |
| See performance descriptors and mark sheet. | N/A |
| Pass mark
|
Postgraduate 50%
Undergraduate N/A Other (PSRB or subject specific) |
Performance descriptors in use;
|
|
| Return of assessments
(Instructions for return / collection of assessments) |
N/A – e-submission |
| This assessment is testing Module Learning outcomes | Tick if tested here | |
| LO1 | Interpret the role of a business manager in the development of strategy (tested through portfolio item 1) | |
| LO2 | Synthesise functional thinking such as marketing practices within the context of a cohesive business plan for action that recognises external environments and issues (tested through portfolio item 2) | |
| LO3 | Evaluate the value of business plans and their associated processes (tested through portfolio items 3 and 4) |
Additional information for students
The University’s Learning Information Services have produced a series of guides covering a range of topics to support your studies, and develop your academic skills including a guide to academic referencing http://www.wlv.ac.uk/lib/skills_for_learning/study_guides.aspx
Your module guide and course handbook contain additional and important information regarding;
- The required referencing style for your assignment.*
Whilst many modules require referencing in accordance with the Harvard Referencing convention, some modules – for example those within the School of Law – require Oxford Referencing. Please familiarise yourself with the requirements of your module.
- Submission of your work
- Marking, feedback and moderation in accordance with the University of Wolverhampton Assessment Handbook
- Extensions on submission dates *
- Additional support *
- Academic conduct with regards to cheating, collusion or plagiarism *
- Links to appropriate sources of relevant information *
* Further information regarding these and other policies can be accessed through your student portal on wlv.ac.uk.
Always keep a copy of your work and a file of working papers
The requirement to keep a file of working papers is important. There may be circumstances where it is difficult to arrive at a mark for your work. If this is the case, you may be asked to submit your file and possibly meet with your tutor to answer questions on your submission.
When you submit your work you will be required to sign an important declaration confirming that:
- The submission is your own work
- Any material you have used has been acknowledged and appropriately referenced
- You have not allowed another student to have access to your work
- The work has not been submitted previously.
The following information is important when:
- Preparing for your assignment
- Checking your work before you submit it
- Interpreting feedback on your work after marking.
Module Learning Outcomes
Module Learning Outcomes are specific to this module, and are set when the module was validated.
Assessment Criteria
The module Learning Outcomes tested by this assignment, and precise criteria against which your work will be marked are outlined in your assessment brief.
Performance Descriptors
Performance descriptors indicate how marks will be arrived at against each of the assessment criteria. The descriptors indicate the likely characteristics of work that is marked within the percentage bands indicated.
To help you further:
- Re-sit opportunities are available for students who are unable to take the first sit opportunity, or who need to re take any component.
- Refer to the VLE topic for contact details of your module leader / tutor, tutorial inputs, recommended reading and other sources, etc. Resit details will also appear on the VLE module topic.
- The University’s Learning Information Services offer support and guidance to help you with your studies and develop your academic skills http://www.wlv.ac.uk/lib/skills_for_learning/study_guides.aspx
Assessment Criteria
The module Learning Outcomes tested by this assessment task are indicated on page 1. The precise criteria against which your work will be marked is as follows:
- Presentation and content through a mini-assignment
- Secondary research & review through a web-based activity
- Critical analysis: through the effective development and use of a checklist to analyse a given business plan
Performance descriptors
Performance descriptors indicate how marks will be arrived at against each of the above criteria. The descriptors indicate the likely characteristics of work that is marked within the percentage bands indicated.
| Criteria | 70-100% Work of an outstanding, excellent & v. good standard | 60-69% Work of a good standard. | Pass 50-59% Work of a pass standard. | 40-49% FAIL | 0-39% FAIL |
| Presentation and content
(Portfolio item 1) |
A balanced, well structured mini- assignment, generally coherent in approach. Demonstrates originality, innovation and depth in the content and theory. Well-written, well presented and largely or wholly free of spelling and/or typographical errors. Very good, possibly faultless application of Harvard referencing system. |
A balanced, well structured mini- assignment.
The work is insightful and has an appropriate selection of content and theory in key areas identified in the brief. Overall clear well-written, well presented. Some small repeated errors in referencing or grammar. Good application of Harvard referencing system. |
Mini- assignment is cohesive, but may be hindered by inappropriate balance, structure or writing style. Key theories and ideas are included in an appropriate manner. Argument possibly underdeveloped in places. Some small repeated errors in referencing or grammar. | Whilst some of the characteristics of a pass have been demonstrated, the work does not address the requirements overall. Appropriate selection of content/theory but some key aspects missed/misconstrued. Lack of range of theory. Possibly lacking in balance, structure or writing style. Some repeated errors in referencing and/or grammar. |
Does not address the assignment brief. Uses inaccurate or inappropriate content/theory. Significant failings in balance, structure or writing style. Repeated possibly significant errors in referencing and/or grammar. Possibly lacking in coherence. |
| Secondary research & review
(Portfolio item 2) |
Evidence of wider reading around the subject. Sources are synthesised to a very good standard or better and coherently and concisely expressed. A highly effective web based contribution. | Demonstrates the ability to appraise critically the theory and literature. Sources are synthesised to a good standard and coherently and expressed. An effective web based contribution. | Clear evidence of evaluation and application of relevant literature. Some synthesis of sources and effectively expressed. An appropriate web based contribution. | Some evaluation and application of relevant literature but possibly lacking in synthesis and/or ineffectively expressed. A web based contribution that needs further development. | Little or no evidence of research around the subject. Possible fundamental misunderstandings over subject matter. Ideas poorly expressed or expressed in an inappropriate form. Possible failure to post contribution on the web. |
| Critical Analysis
(Portfolio items 3&4) |
Demonstrates a clear capacity to develop and apply a fine checklist effectively as part of an appropriate (even insightful) critical analysis of the given business plan. A very high standard of work throughout. Clear evidence of independent thought and effective presentation of ideas. Comprehensive coverage of the strengths and limitations of the plan and the degree to it meets the needs of its target audience. Possibly displays a distinct level of originality. | Demonstrates a capacity to apply a good checklist as part of an appropriate critical analysis of the given business plan. A good standard of work throughout. Good presentation of ideas and examples of sound argument and solid evidence. Good coverage of the strengths and limitations of the plan and the degree to which it meets the needs of its target audience. | The work explores and analyses the given plan, but is possibly lacking in genuine insight. The checklist may be limited in some ways. Possibly fails to express ideas fully or fails to address all the issues fully including strengths and limitations of the plan and the degree to which it meets the needs of its target audience.
The work may be mainly descriptive, but has achieved the learning outcome. |
The work explores the given plan, but is possibly lacking in insight. The checklist may be lacking and underdeveloped in some ways. Possibly fails to express ideas effectively or fails to address all the issues of strengths and limitations of the plan and the degree to which it meets the needs of its target audience. The work may be an overly descriptive account demonstrating only minimal interpretation, and very limited evidence of analysis. | Fundamental misconceptions throughout. Limited analysis of a superficial nature relying mainly/wholly on description. Possibly poorly expressed, structured and presented. Possible failure to analyse the correct business plan. Possible failure to develop a meaningful checklist.Possibly failure to address all the issues of strengths and limitations of the plan and the degree to which it meets the needs of its target audience. |
To help you further:
- Refer to the Canvas topic for contact details of your module leader/tutor, tutorial inputs, recommended reading and other sources, etc. Resit details will also appear on Canvas.
- The University’s Learning Information Services offer support and guidance to help you with your studies and develop your academic skills http://www.wlv.ac.uk/lib/skills_for_learning/study_guides.aspx
