MBA Assignment for Strategic Management (GC01385)

Table of Contents

Task 1.

1.1 What are Strategic Gap and Strategic Gap Analysis?.

1.2 Identifying Gaps using the four steps in gap analysis methodology.

Step 1: Identifying Strategic Objectives.

Step 2: Identifying Current Standings.

Step 3: Create a Plan of Action.

Step 4: Back Up Plan of Action with Data and Analysis.

1.3 Identifying Strategic Gaps using four steps gap analysis methodologies.

1.4 Identifying Strategic Gaps using SWOT Analysis.

1.5 What are Critical Success Factors.

1.6 Identifying Critical Success Factors for any company.

1.6.1 CSFs in twelve steps process.

1.6.2 Identifying organization-wide critical success factors.

1.7 What role CSF contributes to the analysis of strategic gaps.

Task 2.

2.1 Concept of Core Competence.

2.2 Achievement of Core Competence.

2.2.1 Provides potential access to a wide variety of markets.

2.2.2 Makes a significant contribution to the perceived customer benefits of the end product

2.2.3 Difficult for competitors to imitate.

3.0 References.

Task 1

Topic/Scenario: the Development of Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) using ICTs in Teaching/Learning systems of Sanjari International College

1.1 What are Strategic Gap and Strategic Gap Analysis?

Strategic Gap is the difference between the desired outcome and an actual outcome. Strategic gap analysis attempts to determine what a company should do differently to achieve a particular goal by looking at the time frame, management, budget and other factors to determine where shortcomings lie. After conducting this analysis, the company should develop an implementation plan to eliminate the gaps.

For example, if Sanjari International College wants to develop a ‘Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)’ using ICT with its existing teaching/learning system, a strategic gap analysis would look at the changes required for the college to meet its goals. These changes might include relocating and restructuring their computer lab, altering, replacing or buying ICT to develop VLE, hiring experienced staff on VLE, etc. The analysis would also determine how to make these changes happen if the college doesn’t know.

1.2 Identifying Gaps using the four steps gap analysis methodology

Using the four steps in gap analysis methodology, the company can obtain important information about key areas to focus on in its process or quality improvement project. The four steps include understanding the surrounding environment, taking a holistic approach to understanding the environment, determining a framework for analysis, compiling supportive data.

Step 1: Identifying Strategic Objectives

Undertaking a gap analysis starts with looking at the company’s performance with clear goals, aims and objectives. Some companies look to benchmarking and best practices of other companies to perform their gap analysis.

Step 2: Identifying Current Standings

After clarifying strategic objectives, it is important to observe and collect data on current standing with regards to each of the strategic objectives.

Step 3: Create a Plan of Action

At this point, it should start becoming clear as far as what the company’s next step should be. It should look at areas of deficiency and create a plan for improvement based upon these areas given the resources available. It also comes up with recommendations for placing them into the ‘Action Plan’.

Step 4: Back Up Plan of Action with Data and Analysis

Finally, after investigation and planning are complete, finding should be reported with the appropriate data and analysis presented. The report may include things like the background of the company and analysis, problems that have occurred, and even reasons for undertaking the analysis. Then, the report will present the findings showing the strategic objectives, current standing, deficiencies, and whether or not the current situation is acceptable. If the situation is unacceptable, it will present a course of action for improvement. Finally, all of the analysis will be backed up with the data gathered during the analysis…………………………………………………………………

Strategic Management