TEXTBOOKS: 1) Strategic Management and Business Policy (8^th Edition), by Thomas Wheelan anad J. David Hunger, Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley, 1998 and 2) Weiss, Carol. Evaluation, 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall,1998.

Recommended Reference: American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington, DC: APA.

CASES: There are several cases for which you will be responsible. These cases will be in either be in the textbook or available on the web.

HANDOUTS AND LINKS: Will be distributed from time-to-time. You will be responsible for this material also.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course presents a model of strategic planning, examines the relationship of strategic planning to budgeting and to program evaluation in a conceptually integrated system. Considerable attention is paid to the strategic planning process with special emphasis on such critical issues as mission definition, assessment of the impact of forces in the environment, stakeholder analysis, definition of strategic issues, budgeting strategies and processes as well as the role of evaluation. Also addressed are such topics as how organizations make decisions and the role of values in decision making. Additionally, several skills that facilitate strategic planning are introduced and practiced.

GRADING CRITERIA:

Group Project-Strategic Analysis/Suggested Implementation Plan for Existing Organization

40 points

Case Analyses (2)

15 points

Midterm (including case analysis)

15 points

Final (including case analysis)

20 points

Class Participation

10 points

TOTAL

100 points

90-100 points = A

80- 89 points = B

70 -79 points = C

Below 70 points = FA

ASSIGNMENTS

Group Project: Each group will be expected to prepare and present a professional analysis of an organization, making sure to include at least 3/4 of the concepts presented in these texts and class discussion. This analysis will also involve a strategic shift and an implementation plan for that shift. The paper should range from 20-30 single-spaced pages; formatting requirements are described below. The oral presentation should last 20-30 minutes with 10-15 minutes for Q's and A's and be prepared as a government official might argue/present the topic for consideration. The paper should be written as a position paper including all appropriate references, budget, and statistics. In addition, I would like an appendix that details the strategy for presenting the proposal, a discussion of arguments against the proposal that one would expect to hear (including those that might be posed by the media), and proposed answers to these arguments. Students are expected to know their topic well enough to answer questions from the instructor and fellow classmates. Each member of the group will have the opportunity to grade the other members on their level of participation/ effort on the project.

Format of the paper: Your paper will be considered An executive report as opposed to a research paper. This report should average 20 pages plus appropriate references (more if many graphs/charts are used). A minimum of 5 references are required and should follow the APA style. The written paper should be in 12 point type, single-spaced, with 1-inch margins. It should include appropriate charts, statistics, and headings and be stapled in the upper left-hand corner. Paper in plastic jackets will be refused.

Case Analyses: For each case, you are expected to write/present orally the major points of the case, and make recommendations for improving the situation(s). These analyses should reflect the strategic process discussed during class. The general outline for case analysis follows the class schedule. You are expected to prepare one case for class presentation and discussion in partnership with at least one other student in the class.

Midterm/Final: The midterm will consist of short essay questions, a comprehensive question, and a take home case. The essay questions will be based on the objectives for this course. The final will be comprehensive and consist of a take home comprehensive question and a case analysis.

Class Participation: Each student will be judged on the quality, not quantity, of participation in class discussions.

COURSE POLICIES/EXPECTATIONS

The following policies apply to this class; they are discussed in detail in the graduate catalog.

ATTENDANCE POLICY: Regular class attendance is expected. If you should miss a meeting, it is your responsibility to obtain information concerning the material covered and upcoming assignments. If there is a quiz or other assignment due on that class period, previous arrangements should be made with the instructor whenever possible. Please note that those students receiving tuition assistance from the Federal Government must not miss three consecutive class meetings without prior approval, or the education Services Officer (ESO) must be notified by the instructor.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: Students are expected to do their own work. Cheating on tests, plagiarism on written assignments, or any other form of academic dishonesty will result in a "0" for the assignment. Note that a D or an F usually results in at least 60 or 50 points, where violation of academic honesty results in none. See the European Division Catalog for the UMUC policy on academic dishonesty and plagiarism.

ASSIGNMENT/TEST SCHEDULES: Students are expected to hand in all assignments and complete all tests on the days they are due. If a student fails to complete any assignment or test, the resulting grade will be a "0," rather than an "F." Any other assignments will be marked down half a letter grade for each half week the assignment is late. Quizzes cannot be made-up unless the student had an excused absence. Major tests can be made up only if prior arrangements are made with the instructor.

CLASS PREPARATION: Students are expected to come to class prepared. This means they should have read the materials assigned for class for that session and have prepared any pertinent assignments.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

At the end of the class the students should be able to:

1. Define a strategic planning process that is both rational and consistent with the way people behave in organizations
2. Identify and define strategic issues
3. Analyze, interpret and respond to case studies related to strategic issues
4. Describe the purpose of a mission statement and its internal and external uses and tell how the mission statement impacts an organization.
5. Discuss the role of managerial values, ethics, and power in the formulation and implementation of strategy
6. Describe the role of stakeholders in the formulation and implementation of strategy
7. Describe some of the various elements in the macro-environment that may affect an organization and provide examples of the effects
8. Describe the concept of the value chain, including the various activities, and provide an example of its use
9. Describe some of the "tools" or concepts that may be used in strategic analysis
10. Describe how the major functional areas of your organization may be impacted when implementing strategy
11. Describe the importance of matching an organization’s leadership, and his/her style and experience with its proposed strategy
12. Describe where conflict might occur within an organization when implementing strategy and how to minimize its effect
13. Describe the role of control (or evaluation) in an organization, the various types of control, and what controls should be used in what situations
14. Plan strategic responses to take advantage, mitigate or resolve the identified strategic issues
15. Prepare a working budget for proposed implementation of strategic actions
16. Prepare a plan for evaluating the proposed implementation of strategic actions

In addition to the academic objectives, students are expected to improve their skills in:

Critical Thinking: Students should improve their ability to analyze real-world situations through: 1) the major project that involves applying strategic planning to a real-world organization, 2) class discussions that challenge critical thinking, and 3) assigned cases. The midterm and final also have comprehensive questions that encourage students to think critically about the concepts of strategic planning.

Writing Skills: Students should improve their writing skills through formal reporting on various assignment problems, and the major project, and on the mid-term and final.

Oral Presentation Skills: Students should improve their presentation skills through their oral reports on their major project, class discussions, and case analyses.

Team-Building Skills: Students should improve their group work skills through group project and group resolution of assigned case analyses.

Computer Skills: Students are expected to improve their computer skills by using word processing, spreadsheets, data bases, and the Internet for the completion of the assignments in this class. The use of e-mail is also encouraged. 

LECTURER INFORMATION

Teaching Philosophy--I believe students learn best when learning is fun and applied to real-world situations and when students are involved in the process. Therefore, students are expected to participate in discussions, work in groups to resolve in- class exercises, assist their fellow students when possible (without doing their work for them), and to ask questions when there is confusion. I believe that every student starts out with an A in the class and through his/her behavior illustrates to me that they are unworthy of an A. As an instructor, it is my job to facilitate the learning process, but I can't do so unless I have feedback as to what may be impeding that process.

Biography--After obtaining a BA from the University of Chicago in Anthropology, Dr. Mock worked for IBM for 15 years, primarily in the technical writing field as writer, editor, manager, and second-line manager. Her highest position was as the division's publications coordinator in the Systems Architecture Department reporting to the General Systems Division Vice President of Manufacturing. She has worked with the IBM 1800MPX System, the 360 and 370 Systems, the System/34, /36, and /38, among others. For several years she was a member of application development teams working in the manufacturing, health, education, and banking industries. After leaving IBM, she worked as a consultant to them, the American Red Cross, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Academy for Educational Development, and the Atlanta Management Institute. In 1981 she received her MBA from Emory University and completed her Ph.D. at Georgia State University in Management in 1992. Since then she has been teaching business courses at Piedmont College and at Fort Valley State University in Georgia. She has been a member of UMUC faculty for four years and currently serves as Interim Director, Graduate Programs.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

PLEASE NOTE: STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO READ THE ASSIGNMENTS PRIOR TO COMING TO CLASS. At a minimum, if you cannot find the time to read all of the assignment, scan the chapter and read the chapter summaries.

SM = Strategic Management Book, EV =Evaluation Book

Class

Topics:

Activities:

Class 1a Nov 2

Introduction to course, lecturer, & class members; Basic Concepts of Strategic Management; Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility

Presentation of Students; Lecture(s); Discussion on what strategic management is and how it relates to Public Administration; Assignment: Read Chapters 1 and 2 (SM)

Class 1b Nov 2

Environmental Scanning and Industry Analysis; Role of Groups in Strategic Planning

Discussion of Case 3; Lecture(s)/discussion; Exercises on External Environment and Five Forces Model; Formation of Groups and preliminary selection of group project organization; video presentation on Newbury Comics; Assignment: Read Chapter 3 (SM); Chapter 2 (EV)

Class 2a

Nov 3

Internal Scanning: Organizational Analysis; McKinsey's 7S's

Lecture(s)/discussion; video presentation on Newbury Comics; Assignment: Read Chapters 4 and 14 and Case 1 (SM)

Class 2b

Nov 3

How to analyze a case and/or perform a strategic audit

Lecture(s)/ discussions; Work in Groups on Case Analysis Discussion of Case 1 Analysis and present to class as group; Project Organization meetings; Assignment: due: Selection of 3 cases in priority sequence for presentation to class ; read Chapter 13 (EV)

Class 3a

Nov 16

Strategy Formulation: Situation Analysis and Business Strategy; Strategy Formulation: Corporate Strategy

Presentation of Mission Statements and Objectives by Groups; Presentation of dr.koop.com and Guajilote Cooperativo cases; Lecture(s)/discussions; lecture on comprehensive exams; Assignment: Read Chapters 5 and 6 (SM) and Chapter 3 (EV)

Class 3b Nov 16

Strategy Formulation: Functional Strategy and Strategic Choice; McKinsey's 7S's+C

Presentation of Brookstone Hospice and Singapore Telecom cases; Lecture(s)/discussions; video presentation on Newbury Comics; Project Organization meetings; Assignment: Read Chapter 7 (SM)

Class 4a Nov 17

Summary of Strategic Management and Business Policy

Review of all of the phases through formulation; Midterm-case and essay questions due; comprehensive exam question in class ;

Class 4b Nov 17

Strategy Implementation: Organizing for Action

Lecture(s)/discussions; video presentation on Newbury Comics; Project Organization meetings; Assignment: Read Chapter 8 (SM)

Class 5a Dec 7

Differences between Commercial Organizations and Government and not-for-profit organizations

Group Presentation of Corporation up through SWOT Analysis; Lecture(s)/discussions; Assignment: Review these web sites:

http://www.cfo.doe.gov/stratmgt/SMSbrochure.pdf

http://www.cfo.doe.gov/stratmgt/library.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/a11/00toc.html

Class 5b Dec 7

McKinsey's 7S's; Strategy Implementation: Staffing and Directing

Presentation of ARC and A.W.A.R.E. cases; Lecture(s)/discussions; Group Meetings; Assignment: Read Chapter 9 (SM)

Class 6a Dec 8

Evaluation and Control

Presentation of Maryland and Health Reform case; Group exercise on establishing controls; Lecture(s)/discussions; video presentation on Newbury Comics;  Assignment: Read Chapter 10 (SM); Read Chapter 2, 6  and 7 (EV)

Class 6b Dec  8

Evaluation and Control (continued); Global Issues

Presentation of Singapore Telecom and HP in Vietnam cases; Lecture(s)/discussions; Group meetings

Class 7a Dec 15

Application of class concepts

Group presentations of Business that was analyzed (20-30 minutes each)

Class 7b Dec 15

Summary of class concepts

Finals due