ASSIGNMENT 1 BRIEF

Qualification

BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Business

Unit number
and title

Unit 7: Business strategy

Assignment
issued

Assignment due

Assessor
name

Assignment
title

Based on the studied relevant chapters, complete the

following tasks.
This assignment satisfies the following learning outcomes:
LO1 Understand the process of strategic planning

Aim of the
assignment

1.1 assess how business missions, visions,

objectives, goals and core competencies
inform strategic planning
1.2 analyse the factors that have to be considered
when formulating strategic plans
1.3 evaluate the effectiveness of techniques used when
developing strategic business plans

Specific
requirements
(see Appendix
for assessment
criteria and
grade

Answer the following questions:

1. Compare and discuss the differences among
mission, vision, objective, goal and core
competence. How are they related to strategic
planning? Write 1-2 sentence(s) examples for each
to illustrate your answer.

FRM03_Assignment brief_29.11.2012 Page 1

Question 1 produces evidence for assessment criterion 1.1

2. What are the steps and issues/factors of strategic
planning? Give examples where necessary.
Question 2 produces evidence for assessment criterion 1.2
descriptors)

3. What are the different planning techniques involves

in strategic planning? Are there any difficulties to
carry them out? Evaluate their effectiveness and
drawbacks. Give examples.
Question 3 produces evidence for assessment criterion 1.3

GL 1 You should write this assignment in academic style,

make sure you have introduction, body, and conclusion.

Student
guidelines

GL 2 You could use models, theories, diagrams and tables

where appropriate to enhance your argument. Remember
to reference the sources.
GL3You should use in-text references and a list of all cited
sources at the end of the essay (Harvard Referencing
Style)
GL4 Your report should be approximately 1200 words in
length (excluding the appendices and references)

Submission
requirements

No late submission is allowed.

FRM03_Assignment brief_29.11.2012 Page 2

APPENDIX: ASSESSMENT CRITERIA AND GRADE DESCRIPTORS

Learning
outcomes

Assessment
criteria for
PASS

Grade
descriptors for
MERIT

Grade
descriptors for
DISTINCTION

To achieve a pass
grade the
evidence must
show that the
learner is able to

To achieve a merit
grade the
evidence must
show that, in
addition to the
pass criteria, the
learner is able to
achieve at least
one/two following
skills:

To achieve a
distinction grade,
the evidence must
show that, in
addition to the
pass and merit
criteria, the
learner is able to
achieve at least
one/two following
skills:

FRM03_Assignment brief_29.11.2012 Page 3

LO1 Understand
the process of
strategic
planning

1.1 assess how

business missions,
visions, objectives,
goals and core
competencies
inform strategic
planning
1.2 analyse the
factors that have to
be considered when
formulating
strategic plans
1.3 evaluate the
effectiveness of
techniques used
when developing
strategic business
plans

M1. Identify
appropriate
techniques
1.1 Judgments
and give
examples have
been made
concerning the
strategic
terminologies,
definitions,
planning
techniques
1.2 Alternatives
have been
considered and
analysed in
identifying
factors
formulating
strategic plans
1.3 Complex
issues,
drawbacks and
effectiveness
have been
acknowledged
in terms of
identifying the
techniques of
developing
strategic
business plans
1.4 factors
strategic plans
have been
justified and
analysed

FRM03_Assignment brief_29.11.2012 Page 4

D1. Use critical

reflection to
evaluate own work
and justify valid
conclusion:
1.1 Conclusions
on variety of
definitions are
justified
specifically in
forming
strategic plans
1.2 rationale of
the definitions
has been made
(organizational
context)
1.3 Validity of
the results are
evaluated
(selection of the
information has
been collected
from reliable
sources)
1.4 Realistic
improvements
on the
difficulties of
the planning
techniques
have been
proposed
against defined
characteristic
for success
1.5 Self-criticism
of the chosen
on planning

M2. Select and

design
appropriate
techniques
2.1 Clear
definitions, make
comparisons
among current
terminologies of
different
companies and
relate them to
strategic planning
2.2 A range of
sources of
information
(books, articles,
reliable reference
sources, cases)
has been used
2.3 Complex
issues, drawbacks
and effectiveness
have been
synthesized and
processed in
analysing the
techniques of
developing
strategic business
plans
M3. Assignment
presentation
3.1 The
appropriate
structure of the
FRM03_Assignment brief_29.11.2012 Page 5

techniques
approach is
taken place
1.6 Keen
analysis has
been proposed
with realistic
evidence
D2. Take
responsibility for
managing and
organizing
activities
2.1 primary and
secondary data
have been
considered
carefully
2.2 synthesis of
different sources
of data is collected
and applied
objectively
D3. D3.
Demonstrate
convergent/lateral/
creative thinking
2.1 Application
and comparisons
have been made
against academic
models (pros and
cons in terms of
Vietnamese
context);
researchers

assignment and
strategic planning
approach has
been used
3.2 Coherent,
logical definition,
development of
concepts for the
non-strategic
background
audience
3.3 A range of
methods of
presentation has
been used and
technical
language has
been accurately
used (correct
grammar and use
of English)
3.4 Correct
referencing
(Harvard style)

analysis
2.2 extended
academic models
have been
presented
2.3 Creative
thinking has been
applied
2.4 propose new
ideas for the
Vietnamese
context (in terms
of appropriate
terminologies)
2.5 critical review,
conclusions, and
recommendations
on terminologies
in the Vietnamese
context

This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose

Internal
Verifier
1

Signatur
e

Dat
e

Internal
Verifier
2

Signatur
e

Dat
e

FRM03_Assignment brief_29.11.2012 Page 6