Business Analysis
Objectives
This Business Analysis assignment gives you the opportunity to study a real business and how it coincides with concepts we study in this course. This activity will make the course “come alive” through application of the principles from the textbook, course materials, and discussions. Assignments such as this also help you develop business-oriented analytical and communication skills.
The development of this Business Analysis is an integral part of the course. It will give you the opportunity to demonstrate a good understanding of what it takes to be a successful business today. Completing this analysis will require several weeks of research, critical analysis, critical thinking, and writing.
The way to do well on this project is to begin early and work on it consistently throughout the entire course as we cover the topics each week.
Overview of Assignment
The BUSN315 Course Project is preparation of a Business Analysis report of an existing company of your choice. You will research and study all aspects of your chosen company determining if and how the company follows the concepts and recommended strategies for today’s businesses to remain successful. In Week 1, you will submit a proposal for the company that you want to be the subject of your analysis; in week 5, you will submit a draft of your analysis covering topics studied in the course up to that point; and in week 8, you will submit your final report adding topics covered in weeks 5 through 7 as well as your final analysis of the company.
Companies often hire outside consultants to give them fresh perspective on what they are – or are not – doing right in the company. In this analysis, you can consider yourself looking at this company, analyzing it from the perspective of an outside expert consultant. Your final report might conclude that the company is doing everything right and should continue as it is, or your final report might reveal areas that could be improved in some way, giving your recommendations on what changes to make and how to make them.
Assignment Details
Conduct research online, on the company’s website, and/or in the DeVry Library, and write a Business Analysis Report studying your chosen company, following the topics outlined in the Milestones and Deliverables below.
First, identify a company that you would like to study. This must be a company that has information you can access either on the internet, or possibly one where you work or have worked in the past. You will need to identify factors about how the company operates; therefore, you might search for available information before you choose a specific company. Most large corporations will have all company information you need on their internet site. Be sure you can find information on your company before you submit it for approval in week 1. Your Business Analysis will be much easier for you to prepare if you can easily find the information.
All submissions must follow APA formatting with title page, reference page, matching citations, and APA requirements for the body of the paper.
Milestones
Week 8
Business Analysis Final Paper
In weeks 5 through 7, we will study:
Marketing
Management and leadership
Operations management
Quality management
Technology
In your final report, complete your analysis by adding these topics that you have researched:
Describe the marketing strategies of the company, addressing all four Ps of the marketing mix: what is the company’s product and all attributes; what are the company’s strategies pertaining to place (distribution), price, and promotion?
What type of management does the company appear to have? What type of management structure and chain of command are indicated by the company’s organizational chart?
What type of leadership does the company appear to have?
Can you learn from your research any details of the company’s operations management?
Can you learn from your research the extent to which technology and/or automation is used by this company?
What type of quality management programs does this company have? What emphasis does it put on quality management?
If you cannot find information pertaining to questions 3 through 6, state that you cannot determine this from research available, and then give your recommendation as to what would work best in this company. For example, if you cannot determine the type of leadership in place, describe the type of leadership that you believe would work best in this company.
In the conclusion of your final report, give your overall analysis of this business. Does it demonstrate the recommended strategies covered in the course? If not, what strategies are different, and what recommendations would you provide? Ultimately, do you believe this company is on track for long-term success, or do you see problems in its future?
Week 8 Final Report
Points
%
Description
Content
96
60
Relevant and high-quality data and ideas presented as a result of thorough research and analysis. Covers all sections listed in Milestones Chart including topics in draft and final report. Follows Course Project guidelines.
Organization and cohesiveness
32
20
Report is well organized in a logical sequence and provides a clear, cohesive analysis.
Editing
16
10
Report was carefully revised, edited, and proofread.
Content Documentation and formatting
16
10
Report includes title page, reference page, citations, and all required APA formatting.
Total
160
100%
A quality paper will meet or exceed all of the above requirements.
Presentation
Points
%
Description
Engagement
45
undefined5
Slides have been developed that inform and engage the audience.
Editing
45
undefined5
Slides were carefully revised, edited, and proofread.
Content
110
55
Relevant and high-quality data and ideas presented as a result of careful analysis and creative interpretation, manifesting in a practical implementation plan and given in an effective presentation. Summarizes all sections of the marketing plan.
Total
175
100%
A quality presentation will meet or exceed all of the above requirements.
Paper Guidelines
The BUSN315 Course Project is the creation of a Business Analysis Report (proposal, draft, and final version).
Paper Requirements
Every draft (and the final version) of the assignment must be formatted per APA 6th edition guidelines (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.), written in the third person, and include the following:
Running head
Page numbers
Double-spacing
Times New Roman, 12-point type font
Headings and subheadings
In-text citations
Title page
Table of contents page
Reference page
