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Competitive Strategy and Organization Design Project

This industry project is designed to allow you to apply the knowledge you have gained throughout the specialization for advising a real company. Our partner company will approach you with two specific questions the company is currently facing and that relate to the content of the specialization. You are asked to choose one of these questions and conduct an in-depth research on the topic. You need to collect relevant information, analyze it and relate it to the content you have learned throughout the Specialization. Based on your findings you will write a final report summarizing your research and consult the company how to deal with the issues they are facing.

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Syllabus

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This section will prepare you for your capstone project. You will get to know our partner company and learn about current issues they are facing. Throughout the capstone project you are asked to analyze one of the consulting report questions posed by the company and write a report giving recommendations to the company. Your final report will be forwarded to the company. This week is supposed to give you the possibility to revise relevant content from the three courses in the specialization, to learn about the partner company and their questions and to get familiar with the capstone project and what is to expect in the upcoming weeks.

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Provides a hands-on experience working on an industry project

Involves conducting in-depth research, analysis, and interpretation of real-world business data

Focuses on practical problem-solving and applying theoretical concepts in a corporate context

Taught by industry experts, Tobias Kretschmer, who brings real-world knowledge and insights to the course

Structured into milestones that provide clear guidelines and deadlines for project completion

Incorporates peer-reviewed assignments for optional feedback and improvement

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Reviews summary

Apply strategy in capstone project

According to learners, this capstone project is designed to be the culmination of the specialization, challenging students to apply theoretical knowledge to a simulated real company problem. They find the opportunity to conduct in-depth research and analysis and develop a consulting-style report valuable for building practical skills. While the project structure provides a framework, some learners anticipate the lack of direct interaction with the company or instructors could make the 'real-world' aspect feel less authentic. The peer review component is a key part of the process, offering feedback and exposure to different approaches, though potential variability in review quality is a common point in peer-reviewed courses.

Reports reviewed by peers.

"Receiving feedback from multiple peers offers diverse perspectives."

"Reviewing others' reports helped me see different approaches and refine my own work."

"The quality of peer feedback can vary, which is something to be prepared for."

Requires significant research effort.

"The in-depth research phase requires careful selection and evaluation of sources."

"Collecting and analyzing data for the specific question was time-consuming but necessary."

"It pushed my abilities to find and process relevant information independently."

Outcome is a practical consulting report.

"The final report format is excellent practice for consulting roles."

"Learning to structure findings and recommendations into a professional report is a key takeaway."

"This deliverable is a tangible result I can potentially showcase."

Project based on a real company case.

"Working on a real company's problem makes the learning highly relevant."

"I appreciated the opportunity to tackle issues a business actually faces."

"It feels more impactful knowing my report could potentially be reviewed by the partner company."

Applies concepts from previous courses.

"This course is where I finally apply everything I learned in the specialization."

"It forces me to synthesize concepts from strategy and organization design."

"Putting the theoretical frameworks into practice on a case is invaluable."

"My goal was to use the knowledge gained, and this project delivers on that."

Lack of direct company contact.

"I would have preferred some direct interaction or Q&A with the partner company."

"It feels less like a 'real' project without direct feedback or clarification from the company itself."

"Instructor presence felt minimal; more guidance could improve the experience."

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 Competitive Strategy and Organization Design Project with these activities:

Review consulting skills

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Review foundational consulting skills, such as problem-solving and communication, to prepare for coursework

Browse courses on Consulting Skills

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Identify and list relevant consulting skills
Research and read articles and books on consulting best practices
Practice applying these skills in mock consulting scenarios

Review data analysis techniques

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This will ensure that you have a solid foundation before starting the course.

Browse courses on Data Analysis

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Review your notes from previous courses
Read articles and blog posts on data analysis
Complete online tutorials or courses

Connect with industry professionals

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These insights can help you learn about career paths and gain valuable advice.

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Identify potential mentors
Reach out to mentors and introduce yourself
Request informational interviews

Six other activities

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Show all nine activities

Create a study guide

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This guide will help you organize and review the key concepts covered in the course.

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Gather your course materials
Identify the key concepts
Create a summary of each concept

Explore data visualization tools

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These tutorials will provide you with hands-on experience with the tools you'll need to succeed in the course.

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Choose a data visualization tool
Follow online tutorials
Practice creating different types of visualizations

Analyze case studies

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Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills by analyzing real-world business issues

Browse courses on Case Study Analysis

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Review the case study and identify key issues
Research and gather relevant data
Develop and evaluate potential solutions
Present findings and recommendations

Practice industry report writing

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These exercises will help you develop a solid understanding of the concepts covered in the course.

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Identify a topic for your report
Conduct thorough research
Write a draft of your report
Get feedback from your peers or instructor

Design a consulting plan

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This project will give you the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills to a real-world problem.

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Identify a business problem
Research the problem
Develop a consulting plan
Present your plan to the client

Develop a presentation on a course topic

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This project will allow you to demonstrate your understanding of the course material and your ability to communicate your ideas effectively.

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Choose a topic for your presentation
Research your topic
Create a PowerPoint presentation
Practice your presentation

Career center

Learners who complete Competitive Strategy and Organization Design Project will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Analyst

Data Analysts are responsible for collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data in order to provide insights to businesses. They work with data to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies. This course may be useful to someone looking to become a Data Analyst because it provides a foundation in the principles of data analysis. The course covers topics such as data collection, data cleaning, and data analysis, which are all essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Consultant

Consultants are individuals who provide advice and guidance to organizations on a variety of business issues. They work with clients to identify problems, develop solutions, and implement those solutions. This course may be useful to someone looking to become a Consultant because it provides a foundation in the principles of consulting. The course covers topics such as problem solving, decision making, and communication, which are all essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs are individuals who start their own businesses. They identify business opportunities, develop business plans, and launch new businesses. This course may be useful to someone looking to become an Entrepreneur because it provides a foundation in the principles of entrepreneurship. The course covers topics such as market research, business planning, and financial management, which are all essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for analyzing business needs and recommending solutions to improve efficiency and effectiveness. They work with stakeholders to understand their needs and develop solutions that meet those needs. This course may be useful to someone looking to become a Business Analyst because it provides a foundation in the principles of business analysis. The course covers topics such as requirements gathering, process improvement, and data analysis, which are all essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for the development and implementation of sales strategies. They work with sales teams to create and execute sales plans, and to track and measure the results of sales campaigns. This course may be useful to someone looking to become a Sales Manager because it provides a foundation in the principles of sales. The course covers topics such as sales strategy, sales management, and sales negotiation, which are all essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Management Consultant

Management Consultants help organizations to improve their performance by providing advice and recommendations on a variety of management issues. They work with clients to identify problems, develop solutions, and implement those solutions. This course may be useful to someone looking to become a Management Consultant because it provides a foundation in the principles of management consulting. The course covers topics such as problem solving, decision making, and communication, which are all essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Business Development Manager

Business Development Managers are responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities. They work with potential customers to develop and implement business plans, and to track and measure the results of business development initiatives. This course may be useful to someone looking to become a Business Development Manager because it provides a foundation in the principles of business development. The course covers topics such as market research, business planning, and financial analysis, which are all essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Manager

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and management of products. They work with stakeholders to define the product vision, develop the product roadmap, and launch the product to market. This course may be useful to someone looking to become a Product Manager because it provides a foundation in the principles of product management. The course covers topics such as product development, product marketing, and product launch, which are all essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of an organization. They work with employees to ensure that the organization's goals are met and that the organization is running smoothly. This course may be useful to someone looking to become an Operations Manager because it provides a foundation in the principles of operations management. The course covers topics such as process improvement, quality control, and supply chain management, which are all essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Account Manager

Account Managers are responsible for managing relationships with existing customers. They work with customers to ensure that they are satisfied with the company's products and services, and to identify and develop new business opportunities. This course may be useful to someone looking to become an Account Manager because it provides a foundation in the principles of account management. The course covers topics such as customer relationship management, sales negotiation, and communication, which are all essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Account Manager

Strategy Consultant

Strategy Consultants are business professionals that help organizations to develop and implement strategies for success. They help organizations to identify their goals, assess their strengths and weaknesses, and develop plans to achieve their objectives. This course "Competitive Strategy and Organization Design Project" may be useful to someone looking to become a Strategy Consultant because it provides a foundation in the theories and practices of strategic management. The course covers topics such as competitive analysis, industry analysis, and organizational design, which are all essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Strategy Consultant

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for the development and implementation of marketing campaigns. They work with marketing teams to create and execute marketing plans, and to track and measure the results of marketing campaigns. This course may be useful to someone looking to become a Marketing Manager because it provides a foundation in the principles of marketing. The course covers topics such as marketing research, marketing strategy, and marketing communication, which are all essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Managers are responsible for the planning, execution, and control of the supply chain. They work with suppliers and customers to ensure that the organization has the right products and materials at the right time and at the right cost. This course may be useful to someone looking to become a Supply Chain Manager because it provides a foundation in the principles of supply chain management. The course covers topics such as inventory management, transportation management, and supplier management, which are all essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They work with stakeholders to define the project scope, develop the project plan, and manage the project budget. This course may be useful to someone looking to become a Project Manager because it provides a foundation in the principles of project management. The course covers topics such as project planning, project execution, and project closeout, which are all essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts are responsible for providing financial advice to individuals and organizations. They analyze financial data and make recommendations on investments, financial planning, and risk management. This course may be useful to someone looking to become a Financial Analyst because it provides a foundation in the principles of financial analysis. The course covers topics such as financial statement analysis, valuation, and portfolio management, which are all essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Reading list

We've selected 24 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 Competitive Strategy and Organization Design Project.

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Classic work on competitive strategy. It provides a framework for understanding the competitive forces that shape industries and the strategies that firms can use to compete successfully. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about competitive strategy.

Competitive Strategy and Organization Design Project

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Apply strategy in capstone project

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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