Guide to the Strategic Management Case Analysis

This activity is the introduction and preparation for the case analysis course project. The draft is due in Unit 6 and the final project is due in Unit 9.

In this course, you will also be expected to complete an individual course project, in which you will demonstrate strategic critical thinking skills by analyzing a business scenario and recommending strategies to help that business move forward towards its goals. In preparation for this 6–8-page paper, complete the following:

• Read the unit introduction, if you have not already.
• Read the Case Analysis course project description.
• Use your text to read “Guide to Strategic Management Case Analysis,” pages 442–450, and “Case 30: “Yahoo! Inc.: Marissa Mayer’s Challenge,” pages 30-1 to 30-12. Note: This case will be referred to as “Case 30” for the remainder of the course.

Guide to the Strategic Management Case Analysis Project

Your Case Analysis Project

The Case Analysis Project is an important one, both in terms of the learning experience in this class and in terms of the effect on your grade. The purpose of this paper is to collect the project descriptions, requirements, and grading criteria for the Case Analysis Project and to include recommendations to help you successfully complete the project as efficiently and satisfyingly as possible.

Here is the project description

Excerpted from the syllabus:

Project Overview

For this project, you will analyze a business case, Yahoo! Inc.: Marissa Mayer’s Challenge, and make recommendations based on the outcome of your analysis. The goal is to demonstrate strategic critical thinking skills when analyzing a business scenario, taking all factors into account, and recommend a strategy to move that company forward. Your analysis and recommendations should flow together, providing your readers with a clear picture of the issues at hand and leading them to the logical conclusion of your strategic recommendations. Your case analysis should be designed for an audience of working adults who are seeking to improve their understanding of your chosen topic.

In Unit 6, you will submit a complete draft of your analysis. Your final submission is due in Unit 9. Before you submit the final version of your paper, revise your draft based on the feedback you receive. In addition, as you learn new concepts within the final units of the course, you may need to revisit your draft and add additional supporting points or content, as warranted.

Case Topic

The case you will analyze is included in your text, specifically, “Case 30: Yahoo! Inc.: Marissa Mayer’s Challenge,” (page 30-1 to 30-12). In preparation for your case analysis, read “Guide to Strategic Management Case Analysis”(pages 442-450) in the text, which provides valuable advice on how to analyze a business case. As you develop your analysis and recommendations, use the tools provided in your text to guide you. Also, consider the information and knowledge you are acquiring and think about how you can apply this in your current professional work.

Project Requirements

To achieve a successful project experience and outcome, you are expected to meet the following requirements.

Content and flow: In your final submission, be sure that the:

Structure is evident, understandable, and appropriate.

Main and supporting points are easily identifiable, plausible, and clear.

Paper employs a minimum of four reputable sources to support main points.

Logic is identifiable, reasonable, and sound.

Paper includes at least two charts, graphs, or visual aids to support your points.

Transitions from point to point are excellent and paragraphs support solid topic sentences.

Number of pages: Your final paper must be 6–8 pages, excluding the title page and reference list.

File format: Be sure to submit your paper in Microsoft Word format.

Style and formatting: Use proper APA sixth edition style to cite and reference your sources. Also follow APA formatting guidelines for the layout of your paper. Refer to the Capella Online Writing Center’s APA sixth edition style and formatting module on iGuide for more information.

The syllabus identifies nine criteria in the grading rubric for the draft and final versions of your case analysis:

Analyze the strategic fit between the business vision and the key elements of the business strategy, considering domestic and global environments, and provide supporting evidence and examples.

Evaluate the alignment between business strategy, customer needs, to determine how and the degree to which organizational value has been established.

Create organizational value in the recommendations provided and provide a detailed description of how value is created through decisions made.

Demonstrate an excellent ability to plan strategically in domestic and global environments in the recommendations provided.

Integrate high-performing business management techniques in the analysis and recommendations; the integrated techniques consistently promote delivery of value-added, bottom-line results.

Consistently solves problems within professional standards and provides supporting evidence and examples.

Uses and integrates multiple, appropriate financial models and principles to support decisions and recommendations.

Demonstrate excellent use of proper APA style and formatting, effective written communication skills, and supported evidence to communicate effectively; there are no style or formatting errors.

Demonstrate excellent written communication skills.

Excerpted from the text Strategic Management: The authors of your text have seven excellent suggestions for case analysis in Part Four: Guide to Strategic Management Case Analysis that are a combination of substance and style which I strongly recommend to you:

1. Analyze. Avoid merely repeating the facts presented in the case. Analyze the issues involved in the case and build logically toward your recommendations.

2. Use headlines or labels. Using headlines or labels throughout your written analysis will help your reader follow your analysis and recommendations. For example, when you are analyzing the weaknesses of the firm in the case, include the heading Weaknesses. Note the headings in the cases that follow.

3. Discuss alternatives. Follow the proper strategic management sequence by (a) identifying alternatives, (b) evaluating each alternative, and (c) recommending the alternative you think is best.

4. Use topic sentences. You can help your reader more easily evaluate your analysis by putting the topic sentence first in each paragraph and following with stat