Recommended weekly course schedule (online M5650)
Recommended weekly course schedule (online M5650).
Week 1 – Introduction to Strategy and Capstone Simulation
Lecture topics:
Introduction to ‘strategy’
Introduction to Attack-Defend-Retreat framework
Introduction to Capstone Simulation (students register at capsim.com and then can log in.)
In class work: Students work on Capstone tutorials (on dashboard at capsim.com) and make practice decisions in Capstone to learn the decision software.
Assignment: Complete the 3 tutorials (Rehearsal Tutorial, Situation Analysis, and Introductory Lesson Quiz) at capsim.com (on your Dashboard) before Week 2.
Week 2
Lecture topics:
ADR framework of strategy and strategic thinking (continued)
4 generic resource movements: Attack, Defend, Retreat and Avoid
In class work:
- Data analysis exercise in class: SWOT using Capstone data
- Students are assigned to Capstone teams and work together on Practice round 1 (due in Week 3).
Assignment: Complete Practice Round 1 with teammates (due in Week 3).
Week 3: Industry Analysis
Assignments for Week 3:
- Read eText Chap. 2 (before class),‘Analyzing the External Environment of the Firm’
- Teams complete Competition Round 1 (decisions due 12pm CST on day of class.)
Lecture topics:
- Industry analysis and strategic thinking about Valence
- Porter’s Five Forces model of industry profitability
- Industry life cycle
In class work:
Debrief Practice Round 1
Data analysis exercise: Analyzing market stakes and profitability
Forecasting (basics) – forecasting sales is an important management skill directly related to strategic thinking and how much market share your company can hold, which depends on relative strength (i.e. expectancy). Use Capstone results and strategic thinking model (ADR) to forecast sales.
Capstone Simulation is RESET to beginning (Round 0) and competition rounds begin in Week 4.
Week 4:
Midterm Exam
Assignment: Teams complete competition Round 1 (decisions due by 12pm CST the day of class)
Lecture: debrief competition Round 1
In class work: Teams work on Round 2 (due in Week 5)
Week 5: Company Analysis
Assignment: Teams complete Round 3 (decisions due at 12pm CST the day of class).
Assignment: Read Chap. 3 (before class), ‘Assessing the Internal Environment of the Firm’
Lecture topics:
Internal Analysis of Company and Understanding Expectancy (relative strength)
Core competency
Resource-based view of Strategy
Sustainable competitive advantage
Value Chain analysis
Debrief Round 3
In class work: Internal analysis using Capstone data and students work on Round 4 decisions.
Assignment: Complete Round 4 (due in Week 6)
Week 6: Company Analysis (cont.)
Assignment: Teams complete Round 4 (decisions due at 12pm CST the day of class).
Assignment: Read eText Chap. 4 (before class), ‘Business-level Strategy’
Lecture topics:
Competitive Advantage – low cost vs. differentiation
‘Stuck in the middle’
Best-cost strategy
Debrief Round 4
In class work: Teams work on Round 5 decisions (due in Week 7)
Week 7:
Assignment: Round 5 (decisions due at 12:00 CST day of class.)
Lecture topics:
Debrief Round 5 results
The “Strategic bet”
Decision-making bias
Using ADR framework to predict rival strategy
In class work: Teams work on Round 6 decisions (due in Week 8).
Week 8:
Assignment: Teams complete Round 6 – last round! (decisions due at 12pm CST the day of class).
Assignment: Read Chap. 7 (before class), ‘Corporate-level Strategy: Creating Value through Diversification’
Assignment: Capstone team wrap-up presentations (15-20 minutes)
Lecture topics:
Introduction to corporate strategy
Debrief last Capstone round – Winner announced!
Capstone team presentations – wrap-up
Review for final exam
Week 9:
Final Exam (comprehensive)