We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Business Strategy in Practice (Project-centered Course)

A Capstone Project is an assignment designed specifically to apply and showcase the skills you learned in the Specialization. To this end, the Business Strategy Capstone Project, a comprehensive Strategic Analysis, provides an opportunity for you to synthesize concepts and knowledge from the four prerequisite courses in the specialization. In this course, developed at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia, you will be guided through your project by top-ranked faculty. You may continue with the organization you selected for previous assignments or select a new organization for this project. You will analyze the current state of the organization, strategic issues facing the organization, strategic paths the organization might pursue, make a recommendation of the best path for the organization to pursue, and write an Executive Summary. Your finished project will serve as an artifact showcasing your ability to conduct research on/within an organization, select and apply the most appropriate analytical tools, build a well-supported case for a specific position, and effectively communicate key points with executive leadership.

Enroll now

Or subscribe to Coursera Plus

And get unlimited access to 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!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

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

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.

Save

Reviews summary

Business strategy practical capstone project

According to learners, this course centers around a practical, real-world capstone project where they conduct a comprehensive strategic analysis for an organization. Students appreciate the project-centered structure with clear milestones, which helps manage the complexity of the task and synthesize learning from previous courses. However, some learners find the peer review process challenging or inconsistent, which can impact the learning experience and final grade. The project is seen as a valuable artifact for showcasing skills.

The project can be demanding and requires significant effort.

"Completing the strategic analysis required more time than I initially expected."

"This capstone is quite demanding; be prepared to dedicate substantial hours weekly."

"It's a rigorous project, definitely not a course to rush through."

Effectiveness of peer review varies, potentially impacting grades.

"The quality of peer reviews I received was inconsistent; some were helpful, others not."

"Grading peers felt subjective at times, and receiving grades from inexperienced peers was frustrating."

"While some peer feedback was insightful, relying solely on it for evaluation felt risky."

Course helps integrate concepts from prior specialization courses.

"This course did a great job of bringing together everything I learned in the specialization."

"I finally saw how all the different tools and frameworks fit together through this project."

"It felt like a true capstone, requiring me to synthesize knowledge from earlier courses."

Milestones provide a helpful framework for completing the large project.

"The milestone structure broke down the large task into manageable steps."

"Having clear deliverables each week kept me on track and focused."

"Submitting work in stages helped prevent getting overwhelmed by the final project."

The capstone project offers real-world strategic analysis experience.

"The project allowed me to apply strategic concepts to a real company, which was incredibly valuable."

"I now have a solid strategic analysis I can use to showcase my abilities to potential employers."

"Working through a full analysis provided practical experience that lectures alone couldn't offer."

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

Show steps

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

Browse courses on Strategic Management

Show steps

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'

Show steps

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

Show steps

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

Show steps

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.

Browse courses on Porter's Five Forces

Show steps

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

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Strategic Analysis Worksheet Practice

Show steps

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

Browse courses on Strategic Analysis

Show steps

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

Show steps

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

Browse courses on Strategic Analysis

Show steps

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

Show steps

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

Browse courses on Business Analysis

Show steps

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

Show steps

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

Browse courses on Strategic Planning

Show steps

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

Show steps

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

Browse courses on Strategy

Show steps

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:

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Strategy Consultant

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Strategy Manager

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Banker

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Private Equity Investor

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Venture Capitalist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Manager

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Analyst

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Reading list

We've selected 16 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Business Strategy in Practice (Project-centered Course).

Strategic Management

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of strategic management concepts and frameworks, and includes case studies to illustrate how these concepts are applied in practice. It valuable resource for students who are new to strategic management or who want to refresh their understanding of the field.

Business Strategy in Practice (Project-centered Course)

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Business strategy practical capstone project

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses