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Written Assignment 3 The next step in creating a sound strategic plan is to analyze and evaluate the data collected on the industry, internal strengths and weaknesses, and external opportunities and threats

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Written Assignment 3

The next step in creating a sound strategic plan is to analyze and evaluate the data collected on the industry, internal strengths and weaknesses, and external opportunities and threats. You must first reevaluate the data and make sure that additional data or analysis is not needed. Then you need to see how the information you gathered relates to the sustainable competitive advantage of the company.

Instructions

Write a 10- to 16-page paper (2500 to 4400 words), not including your list of references, in APA format. Your paper should focus on analyzing and evaluating the industry data you’ve collected, the internal strengths and weaknesses, and the external opportunities and threats. (Note: The data from Written Assignment 2 should be considered.) First you will need to reevaluate the data and make sure that additional data or analysis is not needed. Use the feedback from Written Assignment 2 and improve upon it or add areas as identified in the feedback. Next, look at how the information relates to the sustainable competitive advantage of your company. Use the information you collected from Written Assignment 2.

Use the headings in the instructions below when completing this written assignment. You must use at least ten references in this paper; at least nine of these references need to be sources not provided in the course; six of these sources must be scholarly peer-reviewed journal articles; three references can be white papers published by professional organizations (e.g., Society for Human Resources Management). No blogs, wikis, or news websites will be accepted.

Introduction [maximum 1 page]

• Introduce the entire paper (not just the problem). Use the following two resources to assist you: Introductions and Beginning the Academic Essay. Tip: Write the introduction last. Complete the rest of the paper and then come back to write the introduction.

SWOT [maximum 6 pages; narrative]

• Provide a narrative of the information in your SWOT. Create a subheading for each area (strengths, weaknesses, etc.). The narrative should provide information on why each of the elements in the SWOT is important and (1) how they can be used to achieve future strategic objectives (strengths or opportunities), and (2) areas that need improvement or that create barriers to successful achievement of one or more of the strategic objectives (weaknesses, threats). Submit the SWOT from Written Assignment 2 with improvements based on feedback. (This does not count toward the page length.)

Generic Strategy Model [maximum 3 pages]

• Identify the generic strategic model that you believe would best fit this organization. (Put the name of the model you are choosing to pursue as the heading.) Explore how the information in the SWOT supports this choice. Why is this model the one that will allow for the strongest competitive advantage? Identify and explore any other model that you will use in combination (alliance, partnership, etc.).

Strategic Objectives [maximum 3 pages]

• Provide three distinct strategic objectives. (Each one should be a subheading.) Connect the strategic objective to the generic strategy model. Then map the elements from the SWOT that will help the organization succeed or that might hinder success.

Gap Analysis [maximum 2 pages]

• Complete a gap analysis based on your analysis of the organization and your plan for the future. Identify the areas that will need to be worked on in order for the strategy to succeed.

Conclusion [maximum 1 page]

• Clearly and concisely wrap up the paper. Use the following to assist you: Ending the Essay: Conclusions.

Submit the paper to your mentor for grading. Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.

[MO 3.1, MO 3.2, MO 3.3]