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Michael Lenox and Jared Harris

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.

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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!
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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

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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
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'
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
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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Show all eight activities
Strategic Analysis Worksheet Practice
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
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
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
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
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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).
Explores the challenges that established companies face when they try to innovate. It provides insights into why so many companies fail to innovate successfully, and offers a framework for how companies can overcome these challenges.
Introduces the concept of blue ocean strategy, which strategy for creating new markets and avoiding competition. It valuable resource for students who want to learn how to develop innovative and disruptive strategies.
Provides a contrarian perspective on business and innovation. It valuable resource for students who want to learn how to think differently about business and who are interested in creating new markets.
Explores the characteristics of successful innovators. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about how to become more innovative.
Provides a simple framework for evaluating the quality of a strategy. It valuable tool for students who want to learn how to develop and evaluate effective strategies.
Provides a practical guide to building a successful startup. It valuable resource for students who are interested in starting their own businesses or who want to learn more about the startup process.
Provides insights into the challenges and rewards of being a CEO. It valuable resource for students who are interested in leadership or who want to learn more about the challenges of running a business.
Provides a practical guide to using Lean Six Sigma to improve business processes. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about Lean Six Sigma or who want to apply it in their own organizations.
Provides a comprehensive overview of project management. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about project management or who want to prepare for the PMP certification exam.
Provides a comprehensive overview of business strategy. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about business strategy or who want to prepare for a career in management consulting.
Provides insights into the McKinsey & Company consulting firm. It valuable resource for students who are interested in learning more about management consulting or who want to prepare for a career at McKinsey & Company.
Introduces the BCG Matrix, which tool for evaluating business units. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about business strategy or who want to prepare for a career in management consulting.
Introduces the Balanced Scorecard, which tool for measuring and managing business performance. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about business strategy or who want to prepare for a career in management consulting.
Provides a comprehensive overview of business strategy. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about business strategy or who want to prepare for a career in management consulting.

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