MNGT5180 Operationalising Strategy - 2021

Subject Code
MNGT5180
Study Level
Postgraduate
Commencing Term
Term 1
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
6
Delivery Mode
Term 4, Weekly, Kensington
School
AGSM

1. Course Details

Summary of Course

The focus of this course is to teach students how to successfully implement strategy (i.e. 'what should managers do to align their organisation to deliver on their strategy?').

This includes:

  • developing strategy (compared to developing strategic and corporate plans)
  • understanding the strategic planning and review cycle
  • aligning strategy through to operating models
  • organisation structure
  • team and job role design
  • KPIs and performance management
  • culture
  • governance.

It then considers particular situations where this type of operating model change may be needed, including: joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, outsourcing and downsizing.

Teaching Times and Locations

Please note that teaching times and locations are subject to change. Students are strongly advised to refer to the Class Timetable website for the most up-to-date teaching times and locations.

This course is scheduled to be offered at our Kensington Campus. At the time of publishing this Course Outline, it is not known whether this will be possible, due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, students who are unable to attend classes on campus should not enrol in this course.

If it is not possible for us to gather together on campus, we will offer the course synchronously online in Moodle.

Enrolled students will be advised of the updated schedule for the course in advance of the start of term.

View course timetable

Course Policies & Support

The Business School expects that you are familiar with the contents of this course outline and the UNSW and Business School learning expectations, rules, policies and support services as listed below:

  • Program Learning Outcomes
  • Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
  • Student Responsibilities and Conduct
  • Special Consideration
  • Protocol for Viewing Final Exam Scripts
  • Student Learning Support Services

View course Policies and Support

Course Aims and Relationship to Other Courses

This course is designed to provide managers with tools and exercises to enable them to successfully implement strategy.

The course follows the core Strategy and Managing People and Organisations courses. It will also flow well from any of the strategy electives as it focuses on how to align the organisation to deliver on the strategy.

Additional Course Details

2. Quality Assurance and Course Alignment

Quality Assurance

The program is aligned to a number of international standards, to ensure the courses you study are high quality. At present, this includes designing courses to:

Student Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Goals and Outcomes Course Learning Outcomes Course Assessment Item
PLO 1: Business knowledgeUnderstanding of how to align an organisation to deliver on its strategy
Assessment 1 : Class participation A: Preparation of materials
Assessment 2 : Group activities and short reports (Different teams of ~4)
Assessment 3 : Organisation Analysis
Assessment 4 : Individual learning reflection
PLO 2: Problem solvingPerform analysis of organisational issues to determine how best to align the organisation to deliver on the strategy
PLO 3: Business communicationStructure and present content at a professional level, both verbally and in writing
Assessment 1 : Class participation A: Preparation of materials
Assessment 2 : Group activities and short reports (Different teams of ~4)
Assessment 3 : Organisation Analysis
Assessment 4 : Individual learning reflection
PLO 4: TeamworkWorking collaboratively in groups to analyse situations and determine best course of action, and jointly develop agreed content
Assessment 1 : Class participation B: Contribution to class discussions
Assessment 1 : Class participation C: Problem-solving in small groups in class
Assessment 2 : Group activities and short reports (Different teams of ~4)
Assessment 3 : Organisation Analysis
Assessment 4 : Individual learning reflection
PLO 7: Leadership developmentThought leadership to proactively think through the elements that need to be aligned to successfully implement strategy

3. Staff Contact Details

Position Name Email Location Phone Consultation Times
Course CoordinatorGreg JoffeSydney CBD82818000By appointment.

Greg Joffe can be contacted at:

greg.joffe@nousgroup.com.au

or (02) 8281 8000.

4. Learning and Teaching Activities

Approach to Learning and Teaching in the Course

The best approach to this course is to read each day's content in advance. The Course Coordinator and Facilitator will then discuss and review the frameworks covered in the classes. He will seek comments and actively engage the students in discussions of different frameworks, and the application of those frameworks to real-life situations and organisations.

Students will sometimes work in teams and sometimes individually to examine particular organisations and consider and recommend the best path forward. Case studies from Harvard Business School and other sources will be used to draw out particular points.

The learning approach aims to ensure that students both know the frameworks and approaches, and also have experienced the thinking processes required to successfully use the frameworks.

Learning Activities and Teaching Strategies

Course Structure

6. Course Resources

Readings will be provided to participants via Moodle, before classes begin.The Course Coordinator and Facilitator will also use slides, which will be provided to participants during or after each class electronically.

Other resources

BusinessThink is UNSW's free, online business publication. It is a platform for business research, analysis and opinion. If you would like to subscribe to BusinessThink, and receive the free monthly e-newsletter with the latest in research, opinion and business, go to link.

In addition to course-based resources, please also refer to the AGSM Online Learning Toolkit (available in Moodle) for tutorials and guides that will help you learn more about effective study practices and techniques.

7. Course Evaluation & Development

Continual Course Improvement

AGSM courses are revised each time they run, with updated course outlines and assessment tasks developed. Changes relating to any industry developments will also be included.

Additionally, the AGSM surveys students each time a course is offered. The data collected provides anonymous feedback from students on the quality of course content and materials, class facilitation, student support services and the program in general. This student feedback is considered during all course revisions. 

Student Response

Positives:

  • Lecturer's practical knowledge and examples
  • Guest speakers
  • Requirement to present to the class, video the presentation and then provide the lecturer with an analysis of that presentation and what worked well and what should improve
  • Class discussions and learning between the students

Opportunities for improvement:

  • Too much reading / high workload
  • Classes sometimes covering too much content
  • More guidance on group work and more use of the groups once formed
  • Main assessment not always seen as sufficiently valuable
  • Evening class times

 

Response to Student Feedback

Will keep using mix of lectures, student led discussions, guest speakers, etc. based on their positive reception.

Have implemented the following improvements in response to suggested improvement feedback:

  • Reviewed and reduced the readings substantially
  • Cut back the content and redesigned the class format
  • Redesigned the group work and assessment of group work
  • Classes offered on one morning per week
  • More in-class activities to apply the learnings

 

8. Course Schedule

Week Activity Topic Detail/Engagement Assessment Task
Week 1 -
–

Lecture 1 - Intro, overview, systems theory, strategic planning cycle (Kaplan and Norton), revisit how to develop strategy

Assessment 1 : Class participation A: Preparation of materials
Assessment 1 : Class participation B: Contribution to class discussions
Assessment 1 : Class participation C: Problem-solving in small groups in class
Week 2 -
–

Lecture 2 - Corporate parenting; Operating models, exercise

 

 

Assessment 1 : Class participation A: Preparation of materials
Assessment 1 : Class participation B: Contribution to class discussions
Assessment 1 : Class participation C: Problem-solving in small groups in class
Week 3 -
–

Lecture 3 - Org design theory, When to change org structure, Innovative new org designs presentations

Assessment 1 : Class participation A: Preparation of materials
Assessment 1 : Class participation B: Contribution to class discussions
Assessment 1 : Class participation C: Problem-solving in small groups in class
Week 4 -
–

Lecture 4 - Layers and spans of control, Process of org design, Innovative new org designs presentations

 

Assessment 1 : Class participation A: Preparation of materials
Assessment 1 : Class participation B: Contribution to class discussions
Assessment 1 : Class participation C: Problem-solving in small groups in class
Week 5 -
–

Lecture 5 - Case study example of large scale review and implementation

Assessment 1 : Class participation A: Preparation of materials
Assessment 1 : Class participation B: Contribution to class discussions
Assessment 1 : Class participation C: Problem-solving in small groups in class
Week 6 -
–

Lecture 6 - KPIs, application

Assessment 1 : Class participation A: Preparation of materials
Assessment 1 : Class participation B: Contribution to class discussions
Assessment 1 : Class participation C: Problem-solving in small groups in class
Week 7 -
–

Lecture 7 - Process improvement

Assessment 1 : Class participation A: Preparation of materials
Assessment 1 : Class participation B: Contribution to class discussions
Assessment 1 : Class participation C: Problem-solving in small groups in class
Week 8 -
–

Lecture 8 - Data and systems

Assessment 1 : Class participation A: Preparation of materials
Assessment 1 : Class participation B: Contribution to class discussions
Assessment 1 : Class participation C: Problem-solving in small groups in class
Assessment 3 : Organisation Analysis
Week 9 -
–

Lecture 9 - Governance

Assessment 1 : Class participation A: Preparation of materials
Assessment 1 : Class participation B: Contribution to class discussions
Assessment 1 : Class participation C: Problem-solving in small groups in class
Week 10 GN Week - no class
–
–
–
Week 11 -
–

Lecture 10 - Downsizing and outsourcing; Review, discussion on planned versus crafted strategy implementation

Assessment 1 : Class participation A: Preparation of materials
Assessment 1 : Class participation B: Contribution to class discussions
Assessment 1 : Class participation C: Problem-solving in small groups in class
Assessment 4 : Individual learning reflection
Week 12 -
–
–
Assessment 4 : Individual learning reflection

9. Policies and Support

Information about UNSW Business School protocols, University policies, student responsibilities and education quality and support.

Program Learning Outcomes

The Business School places knowledge and capabilities at the core of its curriculum via seven Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs). These PLOs are systematically embedded and developed across the duration of all coursework programs in the Business School.

PLOs embody the knowledge, skills and capabilities that are taught, practised and assessed within each Business School program. They articulate what you should know and be able to do upon successful completion of your degree.

Upon graduation, you should have a high level of specialised business knowledge and capacity for responsible business thinking, underpinned by ethical professional practice. You should be able to harness, manage and communicate business information effectively and work collaboratively with others. You should be an experienced problem-solver and critical thinker, with a global perspective, cultural competence and the potential for innovative leadership.

All UNSW programs and courses are designed to assess the attainment of program and/or course level learning outcomes, as required by the UNSW Assessment Design Procedure. It is important that you become familiar with the Business School PLOs, as they constitute the framework which informs and shapes the components and assessments of the courses within your program of study.

PLO 1: Business knowledge

Students will make informed and effective selection and application of knowledge in a discipline or profession, in the contexts of local and global business.

PLO 2: Problem solving

Students will define and address business problems, and propose effective evidence-based solutions, through the application of rigorous analysis and critical thinking.

PLO 3: Business communication

Students will harness, manage and communicate business information effectively using multiple forms of communication across different channels.

PLO 4: Teamwork

Students will interact and collaborate effectively with others to achieve a common business purpose or fulfil a common business project, and reflect critically on the process and the outcomes.

PLO 5: Responsible business practice

Students will develop and be committed to responsible business thinking and approaches, which are underpinned by ethical professional practice and sustainability considerations.

PLO 6: Global and cultural competence

Students will be aware of business systems in the wider world and actively committed to recognise and respect the cultural norms, beliefs and values of others, and will apply this knowledge to interact, communicate and work effectively in diverse environments.

PLO 7: Leadership development

Students will develop the capacity to take initiative, encourage forward thinking and bring about innovation, while effectively influencing others to achieve desired results.

These PLOs relate to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs.  Separate PLOs for honours and postgraduate research programs are included under 'Related Documents'.

Business School course outlines provide detailed information for students on how the course learning outcomes, learning activities, and assessment/s contribute to the development of Program Learning Outcomes.

RELATED DOCUMENTS

 

UNSW Graduate Capabilities

The Business School PLOs also incorporate UNSW graduate capabilities, a set of generic abilities and skills that all students are expected to achieve by graduation. These capabilities articulate the University’s institutional values, as well as future employer expectations.

UNSW Graduate CapabilitiesBusiness School PLOs
Scholars capable of independent and collaborative enquiry, rigorous in their analysis, critique and reflection, and able to innovate by applying their knowledge and skills to the solution of novel as well as routine problems.
  • PLO 1: Business knowledge
  • PLO 2: Problem solving
  • PLO 3: Business communication
  • PLO 4: Teamwork
  • PLO 7: Leadership development

Entrepreneurial leaders capable of initiating and embracing innovation and change, as well as engaging and enabling others to contribute to change
  • PLO 1: Business knowledge
  • PLO 2: Problem solving
  • PLO 3: Business communication
  • PLO 4: Teamwork
  • PLO 6: Global and cultural competence
  • PLO 7: Leadership development

Professionals capable of ethical, self-directed practice and independent lifelong learning
  • PLO 1: Business knowledge
  • PLO 2: Problem solving
  • PLO 3: Business communication
  • PLO 5: Responsible business practice

Global citizens who are culturally adept and capable of respecting diversity and acting in a socially just and responsible way.
  • PLO 1: Business knowledge
  • PLO 2: Problem solving
  • PLO 3: Business communication
  • PLO 4: Teamwork
  • PLO 5: Responsible business practice
  • PLO 6: Global and cultural competence

While our programs are designed to provide coverage of all PLOs and graduate capabilities, they also provide you with a great deal of choice and flexibility.  The Business School strongly advises you to choose a range of courses that assist your development against the seven PLOs and four graduate capabilities, and to keep a record of your achievements as part of your portfolio. You can use a portfolio as evidence in employment applications as well as a reference for work or further study. For support with selecting your courses contact the UNSW Business School Student Centre.




Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

Academic Integrity is honest and responsible scholarship. This form of ethical scholarship is highly valued at UNSW. Terms like Academic Integrity, misconduct, referencing, conventions, plagiarism, academic practices, citations and evidence based learning are all considered basic concepts that successful university students understand. Learning how to communicate original ideas, refer sources, work independently, and report results accurately and honestly are skills that you will be able to carry beyond your studies.

The definition of academic misconduct is broad. It covers practices such as cheating, copying and using another person’s work without appropriate acknowledgement. Incidents of academic misconduct may have serious consequences for students.

Plagiarism

UNSW regards plagiarism as a form of academic misconduct. UNSW has very strict rules regarding plagiarism. Plagiarism at UNSW is using the words or ideas of others and passing them off as your own. All Schools in the Business School have a Student Ethics Officer who will investigate incidents of plagiarism and may result in a student’s name being placed on the Plagiarism and Student Misconduct Registers.

Below are examples of plagiarism including self-plagiarism:

Copying: Using the same or very similar words to the original text or idea without acknowledging the source or using quotation marks. This includes copying materials, ideas or concepts from a book, article, report or other written document, presentation, composition, artwork, design, drawing, circuitry, computer program or software, website, internet, other electronic resource, or another person's assignment, without appropriate acknowledgement of authorship.

Inappropriate Paraphrasing: Changing a few words and phrases while mostly retaining the original structure and/or progression of ideas of the original, and information without acknowledgement. This also applies in presentations where someone paraphrases another’s ideas or words without credit and to piecing together quotes and paraphrases into a new whole, without appropriate referencing.

Collusion: Presenting work as independent work when it has been produced in whole or part in collusion with other people. Collusion includes:

  • Students providing their work to another student before the due date, or for the purpose of them plagiarising at any time
  • Paying another person to perform an academic task and passing it off as your own
  • Stealing or acquiring another person’s academic work and copying it
  • Offering to complete another person’s work or seeking payment for completing academic work

Collusion should not be confused with academic collaboration (i.e., shared contribution towards a group task).

Inappropriate Citation: Citing sources which have not been read, without acknowledging the 'secondary' source from which knowledge of them has been obtained.

Self-Plagiarism: ‘Self-plagiarism’ occurs where an author republishes their own previously written work and presents it as new findings without referencing the earlier work, either in its entirety or partially. Self-plagiarism is also referred to as 'recycling', 'duplication', or 'multiple submissions of research findings' without disclosure. In the student context, self-plagiarism includes re-using parts of, or all of, a body of work that has already been submitted for assessment without proper citation.

To see if you understand plagiarism, do this short quiz: https://student.unsw.edu.au/plagiarism-quiz

Cheating

The University also regards cheating as a form of academic misconduct. Cheating is knowingly submitting the work of others as their own and includes contract cheating (work produced by an external agent or third party that is submitted under the pretences of being a student’s original piece of work). Cheating is not acceptable at UNSW.

If you need to revise or clarify any terms associated with academic integrity you should explore the 'Working with Academic Integrity' self-paced lessons available at: https://student.unsw.edu.au/aim.

For UNSW policies, penalties, and information to help you avoid plagiarism see: https://student.unsw.edu.au/plagiarism as well as the guidelines in the online ELISE tutorials for all new UNSW students: http://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/elise. For information on student conduct see: https://student.unsw.edu.au/conduct.

For information on how to acknowledge your sources and reference correctly, see: https://student.unsw.edu.au/referencing. If you are unsure what referencing style to use in this course, you should ask the lecturer in charge.


Student Responsibilities and Conduct

​Students are expected to be familiar with and adhere to university policies in relation to class attendance and general conduct and behaviour, including maintaining a safe, respectful environment; and to understand their obligations in relation to workload, assessment and keeping informed.

Information and policies on these topics can be found on the 'Managing your Program' website.

Workload

It is expected that you will spend at least ten to twelve hours per week studying for a course except for Summer Term courses which have a minimum weekly workload of twenty to twenty four hours. This time should be made up of reading, research, working on exercises and problems, online activities and attending classes. In periods where you need to complete assignments or prepare for examinations, the workload may be greater. Over-commitment has been a cause of failure for many students. You should take the required workload into account when planning how to balance study with employment and other activities.

We strongly encourage you to connect with your Moodle course websites in the first week of semester. Local and international research indicates that students who engage early and often with their course website are more likely to pass their course.

View more information on expected workload

Attendance

Your regular and punctual attendance at lectures and seminars or in online learning activities is expected in this course. The Business School reserves the right to refuse final assessment to those students who attend less than 80% of scheduled classes where attendance and participation is required as part of the learning process (e.g., tutorials, flipped classroom sessions, seminars, labs, etc.).

View more information on attendance

General Conduct and Behaviour

You are expected to conduct yourself with consideration and respect for the needs of your fellow students and teaching staff. Conduct which unduly disrupts or interferes with a class, such as ringing or talking on mobile phones, is not acceptable and students may be asked to leave the class.

View more information on student conduct

Health and Safety

UNSW Policy requires each person to work safely and responsibly, in order to avoid personal injury and to protect the safety of others.

View more information on Health and Safety

Keeping Informed

You should take note of all announcements made in lectures, tutorials or on the course web site. From time to time, the University will send important announcements to your university e-mail address without providing you with a paper copy. You will be deemed to have received this information. It is also your responsibility to keep the University informed of all changes to your contact details.



Student Support and Resources

​The University and the Business School provide a wide range of support services and resources for students, including:

Business School EQS Consultation Program
The Consultation Program offers academic writing, literacy and numeracy consultations, study skills, exam preparation for Business students. Services include workshops, online resources, individual and group consultations. 
Level 1, Room 1035, Quadrangle Building.
BUS.EQS.Consultations@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 4508

Communication Resources
The Business School Communication and Academic Support programs provide online modules, communication workshops and additional online resources to assist you in developing your academic writing.

Business School Student Centre
The Business School Student Centre provides advice and direction on all aspects of admission, enrolment and graduation.
Level 1, Room 1028 in the Quadrangle Building
02 9385 3189

UNSW Learning & Careers Hub
The UNSW Learning & Careers Hub provides academic skills and careers support services—including workshops, individual consultations and a range of online resources—for all UNSW students. See their website for details.
Lower Ground Floor, North Wing Chancellery Building.
learningcentre@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 2060

Student Support Advisors
Student Support Advisors work with all students to promote the development of skills needed to succeed at university, whilst also providing personal support throughout the process.
John Goodsell Building, Ground Floor.
advisors@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 4734

International Student Support
The International Student Experience Unit (ISEU) is the first point of contact for international students. ISEU staff are always here to help with personalised advice and information about all aspects of university life and life in Australia.
Advisors can support you with your student visa, health and wellbeing, making friends, accommodation and academic performance.
International.student@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 4734

Equitable Learning Services
Equitable Learning Services (formerly Disability Support Services) is a free and confidential service that provides practical support to ensure that your health condition doesn't adversely affect your studies. Register with the service to receive educational adjustments.
Ground Floor, John Goodsell Building.
els@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 4734

UNSW Counselling and Psychological Services
Provides support and services if you need help with your personal life, getting your academic life back on track or just want to know how to stay safe, including free, confidential counselling.
Level 2, East Wing, Quadrangle Building.
counselling@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 5418

Library services and facilities for students
The UNSW Library offers a range of collections, services and facilities both on-campus and online.
Main Library, F21.
02 9385 2650

Moodle eLearning Support
Moodle is the University’s learning management system. You should ensure that you log into Moodle regularly.
externalteltsupport@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 3331

UNSW IT
UNSW IT provides support and services for students such as password access, email services, wireless services and technical support.
UNSW Library Annexe (Ground floor).
02 9385 1333



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