Reference no: EM133849177 , Length: word count:3000

Business Simulation with Professional Development

Assessment task: Simulation Evaluation Report

Learning outcome 1: explain the theory and practice of businesses (COI, CID, SID)

Learning outcome 2: describe a range of current problems and changes that organizations face in being successful (COI, CID, IC, SID).

Learning outcome 3: critically evaluate research and theory to support decision-making and explain progress (COI, CID, SID).

Learning outcome 4: analyse complex issues, make reasoned judgments with incomplete data, and communicate conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences (COI).

Learning outcome 5: students will discuss good practice for organization success (COI, CID, SID). LO.6 undertake a critical audit of skills and capabilities for a professional career and identify areas required for improvement (COI, CID, EID).

Learning outcome 6: developing and communicating critical evaluations of organization progress (CID, EID, SID).

Assessment guidelines
Produce a 3000-word report (+/- 10%) (excluding the list of references) which offers students the ability to demonstrate their developing knowledge and application of the teaching and learning material covered in weeks 1 to 7. It also encourages students to develop their thoughts and perspectives on contemporary business issues, and be intellectually creative (underpinned by credible resources).

Task

You are required to prepare a 5-year strategy review to shareholders for evaluating the business simulation activity of a listed (registered) company of your choice.

In your report you should cover:

Vision and Strategy (e.g. vision, values, mission, HR, Culture)
Performance review of each year's progress including:
Competition analysis: Porter's Five Forces; market choice/ share; competitors; internal capabilities; industry trends/ attractiveness;
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Performance analysis (evaluation of strategy, decisions - Marketing/ HR/ Logistics / Finance / Product development / Event response
Future Plans and Recommendations (Key decisions for next 5 years, identify any changes to current strategy, why and how to achieve, recommendations based on your performance and analysis, potential growth, internalisation/ diversification or acquisition)

Appendix (include full Business Plan) Further Details:
Performance review:
Assess the success of the strategy or strategies compared to industry conditions and competitors
Analyse company performance e.g. comparing actual performance with targets in Business Plan, financial data analysis, decision analysis, and justification of performance measures and strategy, application or business scorecard etc.

Performance analysis further details:
Explain why business plan achieves / missed, why performance better/ worse than competitors.
Explain differences from competitors/ industry
Explain any changes made to business plan and company, why, any impact.

A report is written for a clear purpose and to a particular audience. Specific information and evidence are presented, analysed and applied to a particular problem or issue. The information is presented in a clearly structured format making use of sections and headings so that the information is easy to locate and follow.

When you are asked to write a report, you will usually be given a report brief which provides you with instructions and guidelines. The report brief may outline the purpose, audience and problem or issue that your report must address, together with any specific requirements for format or structure. This guide offers a general introduction to report writing.

What makes a good report?
Two of the reasons why reports are used as forms of written assessment are:
to find out what you have learned from your reading, research or experience;
to give you experience of an important skill that is widely used in the work place. An effective report presents and analyses facts and evidence that are relevant to the specific problem or issue of the report brief. All sources used should be acknowledged and referenced throughout, in accordance with the preferred method of your department.

The style of writing in a report is usually less discursive than in an essay, with a more direct and economic use of language. A well written report will demonstrate your ability to:
understand the purpose of the report brief and adhere to its specifications;
gather, evaluate and analyse relevant information;
structure material in a logical and coherent order;
present your report in a consistent manner according to the instructions of the report brief;
make appropriate conclusions that are supported by the evidence and analysis of the report;

make thoughtful and practical recommendations where required.

The structure of a report
The main features of a report are described below to provide a general guide. These should be used in conjunction with the instructions or guidelines provided by your department.

Title Page
This should briefly but explicitly describe the purpose of the report (if this is not obvious from the title of the work); remember to add your name and student number/assessment number, and which assessment it pertains to.

Summary (Abstract)
The summary should briefly describe the content of the report. It should cover the aims of the report, what was found and a brief review of the conclusions. Aim for about 1/2 a page in length and avoid detail or discussion; just outline the main points. Remember that the summary is the first thing that is read. It should provide the reader with a clear, helpful overview of the content of the report.

Contents (Table of Contents)
The contents page should list the different chapters and/or headings together with the page numbers. Your contents page should be presented in such a way that the reader can quickly scan the list of headings and locate a particular part of the report. You may want to number chapter headings and subheadings in addition to providing page references. Whatever numbering system you use, be sure that it is clear and consistent throughout.
Introduction
The introduction sets the scene for the main body of the report. The aims and objectives of the report should be explained in detail. Any problems or limitations in the scope of the report should be identified, and a description of research methods, the parameters of the research and any necessary background history should be included.

Methods
Information under this heading may include: a list of research methods used (e.g. literature review using ProQuest resources and the filter criteria applied for each search) and other sources of information and details of selection/rejection; reference to any problems encountered and subsequent changes in procedure.

Discussion
The main body of the report is where you discuss your material. The literature and evidence you have gathered should be summarised, analysed and discussed with specific reference to the problem or issue. If your discussion section is lengthy you might divide it into section headings. Your points should be grouped and arranged in an order that is logical and easy to follow. Use headings and subheadings to create a clear structure for your material. Use bullet points to present a series of points in an easy-to- follow list. As with the whole report, all sources used should be acknowledged and correctly referenced (remember to use the most credible resources available).

Conclusion
In the conclusion you should show the overall significance of what has been covered. You may want to remind the reader of the most important points that have been made in the report or highlight what you consider to be the most central issues or findings. However, no new material should be introduced in the conclusion. Remember to specifically answer the initial questions posed.

Appendices
Under this heading you should include all the supporting information you have used that is not published. This might include tables, graphs, questionnaires, surveys or transcripts. Refer to the appendices in the body of your report.

List of References
A key feature of academic writing, the list of references should list - in alphabetical order by author - all published sources referred to in your report. There are different styles of using references so be sure to refer to the study guide and check your departmental handbook for guidelines.