Business Strategy in Practice (Project-centered Course) from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome and Getting Started

Welcome to the Business Strategy in Practice project-centered course and congratulations on completing the four prerequisite courses! In this course, you will bring together all that you have learned and employ your toolkit to develop your comprehensive Strategic Analysis. To get started, watch our "Welcome to the Business Strategy in Practice" video lecture. Then, read our Course Overview so you get a sense of what's ahead, including four milestones to help keep you on track to complete your project within the eight weeks. We are excited to watch you put your learning into action! Good luck, work hard, encourage one another, and enjoy!

WIP Milestone 1

Welcome to Week 2. This week you should continue working on WIP Milestone 1 so that you are ready to submit your assignment by the end of the week. Good luck and work hard -- thorough research will help you build a solid foundation for your project!

WIP Milestone 1 Peer Reviews, Start WIP Milestone 2

Welcome to Week 3. This is "buffer" week allowing time to complete your peer reviews -- providing as much constructive feedback as possible -- and then to start working on WIP Milestone 2.

WIP Milestone 2

Welcome to Week 4. This week you should continue working on WIP Milestone 2 so that you are ready to submit your assignment by the end of the week. Good luck and work hard -- you will need a solid understanding of the different options and strategic paths in order to make your recommendation in the next milestone!

WIP Milestone 2 Peer Reviews, Start WIP Milestone 3

Welcome to Week 5. This is another "buffer" week allowing time to complete your peer reviews -- providing as much constructive feedback as possible -- and then to start working on WIP Milestone 3.

WIP Milestone 3

Welcome to Week 6. This week you should continue working on WIP Milestone 3 so that you are ready to submit your assignment by the end of the week. Looking ahead, Week 7 is a busy week: you will need to wrap up your peer reviews for WIP Milestone 3 and then prepare for the Final Milestone, putting the finishing touches on and then submitting your Strategic Analysis! So don't delay -- get going and work hard to meet your deadlines!

From WIP Milestone 3 to the Final Milestone

Welcome to Week 7. This is a busy week: you will need to wrap up your peer reviews for WIP Milestone 3 and then prepare for the final milestone: submitting your finished project! To prepare for the final milestone, you will pull together the work you completed for previous milestones, write a cogent and concise executive summary, put the finishing touches on your project, and then submit it for one final round of peer review. We are excited to see your finished projects!

Finished Project Peer Reviews

Welcome to Week 8, our final week together. This is another "buffer" week allowing time to complete your peer reviews. While we only require three peer reviews, please consider completing an additional review or two to help your peers who might still be waiting for their final grade and Specialization Certificate. Additionally, we have a discussion opportunity for you to share final comments, reflections, and thoughts on your capstone experience.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches strategic analysis, which is a core skill in business

Provides a comprehensive view across all aspects of business strategy

Taught by Michael Lenox and Jared Harris, who are top-ranked faculty at the Darden School of Business

Emphasizes the practical application of business strategy concepts

Requires students to conduct in-depth research and analysis

Provides opportunities for peer feedback and collaboration

Reviews summary

Capstone project with well-structured lectures

Learners say this capstone project course is well-designed with well-structured lectures. According to students, the assignments also help provide a safe practice environment for applying acquired knowledge.

Capstone course improves business knowledge.

"It is a good exercise to recap the other courses, however the need to complete peer reviews put unnecessary pressure."

"The course is great and improved my business knowledge regarding strategy"

"This is a very good course for professionals of all backgrounds to deepen their business knowledge and an eye opener for those of us with technical background"

Videos are well-structured.

"This course was very well designed and I enjoyed watching all the videos and learning about all the different analysis methods."

"The videos are very well structured, examples are super relevant and the assignments top it up giving plenty of opportunity to practice in a safe environment."

"Really happy I chose this"

Peer reviews can be improved.

"My only complaint is the peer review process needs to be regulated more to prevent plagiarism and for fair grading in a timely manner."

"The entire grading system revolving around peer review is fundamentally flawed and does not show mastery over the subject matter."

"While the other courses were extremely promising, the professors/school has done a great job in preparing its students, I think Coursera has done a POOR job in aiding learners in the final stretch of completion."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Business Strategy in Practice (Project-centered Course) with these activities:

Review of Strategic Management Concepts

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Review core strategic management concepts to strengthen your foundation and prepare for the course.

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Review your notes from previous courses or textbooks on strategic management.
Read articles and watch videos on strategic management.
Complete practice questions on strategic management concepts.

Review: 'Business Strategy: A Guide to Effective Decision-Making'

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Read and summarize key concepts from the book to reinforce your understanding of business strategy and strategic analysis.

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Read the assigned chapters from the book.
Take notes on the key concepts and frameworks discussed in the book.
Write a summary of the book, highlighting the main takeaways and their relevance to your project.

Porter's Five Forces Analysis Tutorial

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Watch a video tutorial and read an article on Porter's Five Forces to enhance your understanding of the framework and its application in strategic analysis.

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Watch the video tutorial on Porter's Five Forces.
Read the article on Porter's Five Forces.
Complete the practice exercises provided in the tutorial.

Five other activities

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Strategic Analysis Worksheet Practice

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Complete the provided Strategic Analysis Worksheet to practice the process of analyzing a business and developing a strategic plan.

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Read the instructions and case study provided in the worksheet.
Analyze the business using the Porter's Five Forces framework.
Identify the key internal and external factors affecting the business.
Develop a list of strategic options for the business to consider.
Evaluate the strategic options and make a recommendation.

Peer Review of Strategic Analysis

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Provide constructive feedback to a peer on their strategic analysis, enhancing both your analytical and communication skills.

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Read the peer's strategic analysis.
Provide feedback on the analysis, including strengths and areas for improvement.
Discuss the feedback with the peer.

Business Analysis Presentation

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Develop a presentation that summarizes your strategic analysis findings and recommendations.

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Create a slide deck using the provided template.
Include an executive summary of your analysis.
Present your findings on the business's internal and external environment.
Discuss the strategic options available to the business.
Make a recommendation on the best strategic option for the business.

Strategic Planning for Nonprofits

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Contribute to an open-source project that provides strategic planning resources for nonprofits, expanding your knowledge and making a meaningful impact.

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Find an open-source project related to strategic planning for nonprofits.
Identify an area where you can contribute to the project.
Make a contribution to the project, such as writing documentation, developing tools, or providing feedback.

Attend Strategy Conference

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Attend a strategy conference to connect with professionals in the field, learn about best practices, and expand your network.

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Research and find a strategy conference that aligns with your interests.
Attend the conference and participate in sessions and workshops.
Network with other attendees and connect with potential mentors.

Career center

Learners who complete Business Strategy in Practice (Project-centered Course) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Management Consultant

Management Consultants help companies improve their performance. This course is a great fit for anyone who wants to work as a Management Consultant because it provides a comprehensive overview of the management consulting process. Students will learn how to analyze a company's current situation, identify areas for improvement, and develop and implement solutions. They will also learn how to communicate their recommendations to senior management. This course will give students the skills and knowledge they need to be successful as Management Consultants.

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Business Strategy Consultant

Business Strategy Consultants help companies develop and implement strategic plans. This course is a perfect fit for anyone who wants to work as a Business Strategy Consultant because it provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic planning process. Students will learn how to analyze a company's current situation, identify strategic issues, and develop and evaluate strategic options. They will also learn how to communicate their recommendations to senior management. This course will give students the skills and knowledge they need to be successful as Business Strategy Consultants.

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Corporate Strategy Manager

Corporate Strategy Managers are responsible for developing and implementing strategic plans for their companies. This course is a great fit for anyone who wants to work as a Corporate Strategy Manager because it provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic planning process. Students will learn how to analyze a company's current situation, identify strategic issues, and develop and evaluate strategic options. They will also learn how to communicate their recommendations to senior management. This course will give students the skills and knowledge they need to be successful as Corporate Strategy Managers.

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Investment Banker

Investment Bankers help companies raise capital and make acquisitions. This course is a good fit for anyone who wants to work as an Investment Banker because it provides a comprehensive overview of the investment banking process. Students will learn how to analyze a company's financial situation, develop and execute financial plans, and negotiate and close deals. They will also learn how to communicate their recommendations to clients and senior management. This course will give students the skills and knowledge they need to be successful as Investment Bankers.

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Venture Capitalist

Venture Capitalists invest in early-stage companies. This course is a good fit for anyone who wants to work as a Venture Capitalist because it provides a comprehensive overview of the venture capital investment process. Students will learn how to analyze a company's financial situation, develop and execute investment plans, and negotiate and close deals. They will also learn how to communicate their recommendations to clients and senior management. This course will give students the skills and knowledge they need to be successful as Venture Capitalists.

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Private Equity Investor

Private Equity Investors invest in private companies. This course is a good fit for anyone who wants to work as a Private Equity Investor because it provides a comprehensive overview of the private equity investment process. Students will learn how to analyze a company's financial situation, develop and execute investment plans, and negotiate and close deals. They will also learn how to communicate their recommendations to clients and senior management. This course will give students the skills and knowledge they need to be successful as Private Equity Investors.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for planning and managing the operations of a company. This course is a good fit for anyone who wants to work as an Operations Manager because it provides a comprehensive overview of the operations management process. Students will learn how to analyze business processes, develop and implement operational plans, and manage operations teams. They will also learn how to communicate their recommendations to senior management. This course will give students the skills and knowledge they need to be successful as Operations Managers.

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Business Development Manager

Business Development Managers are responsible for developing and implementing business development strategies. This course is a good fit for anyone who wants to work as a Business Development Manager because it provides a comprehensive overview of the business development process. Students will learn how to analyze market opportunities, develop business plans, and manage sales teams. They will also learn how to communicate their recommendations to senior management. This course will give students the skills and knowledge they need to be successful as Business Development Managers.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for developing and executing sales strategies. This course is a good fit for anyone who wants to work as a Sales Manager because it provides a comprehensive overview of the sales process. Students will learn how to analyze customer needs, develop sales strategies, and manage sales teams. They will also learn how to communicate their recommendations to senior management. This course will give students the skills and knowledge they need to be successful as Sales Managers.

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Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts provide financial advice to businesses and individuals. This course is a good fit for anyone who wants to work as a Financial Analyst because it provides a comprehensive overview of the financial analysis process. Students will learn how to analyze financial data, develop financial models, and make investment recommendations. They will also learn how to communicate their recommendations to clients and senior management. This course will give students the skills and knowledge they need to be successful as Financial Analysts.

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Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for developing and managing products. This course is a good fit for anyone who wants to work as a Product Manager because it provides a comprehensive overview of the product management process. Students will learn how to analyze customer needs, develop product specifications, and manage product development. They will also learn how to communicate their recommendations to senior management. This course will give students the skills and knowledge they need to be successful as Product Managers.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. This course is a good fit for anyone who wants to work as a Marketing Manager because it provides a comprehensive overview of the marketing process. Students will learn how to analyze customer needs, develop marketing strategies, and manage marketing campaigns. They will also learn how to communicate their recommendations to senior management. This course will give students the skills and knowledge they need to be successful as Marketing Managers.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts analyze data to identify trends and patterns. This course may be useful for anyone who wants to work as a Data Analyst because it provides a comprehensive overview of the data analysis process. Students will learn how to collect data, analyze data, and develop data visualization. They will also learn how to communicate their findings to clients and senior management. This course will give students the skills and knowledge they need to be successful as Data Analysts.

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Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning and managing projects. This course may be useful for anyone who wants to work as a Project Manager because it provides a comprehensive overview of the project management process. Students will learn how to develop project plans, manage project teams, and track project progress. They will also learn how to communicate their recommendations to senior management. This course will give students the skills and knowledge they need to be successful as Project Managers.

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Research Analyst

Research Analysts provide research and analysis to businesses and individuals. This course may be useful for anyone who wants to work as a Research Analyst because it provides a comprehensive overview of the research process. Students will learn how to conduct research, analyze data, and develop research reports. They will also learn how to communicate their findings to clients and senior management. This course will give students the skills and knowledge they need to be successful as Research Analysts.

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