About this 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. 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.
Created by: University of Virginia
Taught by: Michael Lenox, Senior Associate Dean and Chief Strategy Officer
Darden School of Business
Taught by: Jared Harris, Samuel L. Slover Research Chair in Business Administration
Darden School of Business
| Basic Info | Course 5 of 5 in the Business Strategy Specialization |
| Commitment | 8 weeks of study, 2-4 hours/week |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
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!
10 videos, 1 reading
- Video: Welcome to Business Strategy in Practice
- Reading: Course Overview
- Discussion Prompt: Introductions
- Video: WIP Milestone 1
- Video: Strategist's Toolkit: SWOT Analysis
- Video: Strategist's Toolkit: Competitor Analysis
- Video: Strategist's Toolkit: Environmental Analysis
- Video: Strategist's Toolkit: Five Forces Analysis
- Video: Strategist's Toolkit: Competitive Life Cycle Analysis
- Video: Strategist's Toolkit: Stakeholder Analysis
- Video: Strategist's Toolkit: Capabilities Analysis
- Video: Strategist's Toolkit: Strategy Maps
WEEK 2
WIP Milestone 1
Welcome to Week 2. This week you should continue working on WIP Milestone 1 so that you are ready to submit your assignment by the end of the week. Good luck and work hard -- thorough research will help you build a solid foundation for your project!
2 items
- Discussion Prompt: Share what you have found interesting/challenging
Graded: WIP Milestone 1
WEEK 3
WIP Milestone 1 Peer Reviews, Start WIP Milestone 2
Welcome to Week 3. This is "buffer" week allowing time to complete your peer reviews -- providing as much constructive feedback as possible -- and then to start working on WIP Milestone 2.
1 video
- Discussion Prompt: What would you like to improve?
- Video: WIP Milestone 2
WEEK 4
WIP Milestone 2
Welcome to Week 4. This week you should continue working on WIP Milestone 2 so that you are ready to submit your assignment by the end of the week. Good luck and work hard -- you will need a solid understanding of the different options and strategic paths in order to make your recommendation in the next milestone!
2 items
- Discussion Prompt: Share what you have found interesting/challenging
Graded: WIP Milestone 2
WEEK 5
WIP Milestone 2 Peer Reviews, Start WIP Milestone 3
Welcome to Week 5. This is another "buffer" week allowing time to complete your peer reviews -- providing as much constructive feedback as possible -- and then to start working on WIP Milestone 3.
6 videos
- Discussion Prompt: What would you like to improve?
- Video: WIP Milestone 3
- Video: Strategist'sToolkit: Hypothesis Testing
- Video: Strategist's Toolkit: Payoff Matrices
- Video: Strategist's Toolkit: Real Options Analysis
- Video: Strategist's Toolkit: Acquisition Analysis
- Video: Strategist's Toolkit: Scenario Planning
WEEK 6
WIP Milestone 3
Welcome to Week 6. This week you should continue working on WIP Milestone 3 so that you are ready to submit your assignment by the end of the week. Looking ahead, Week 7 is a busy week: you will need to wrap up your peer reviews for WIP Milestone 3 and then prepare for the Final Milestone, putting the finishing touches on and then submitting your Strategic Analysis! So don't delay -- get going and work hard to meet your deadlines!
2 items
- Discussion Prompt: Share what you have found interesting/challenging
Graded: WIP Milestone 3
WEEK 7
From WIP Milestone 3 to the Final Milestone
Welcome to Week 7. This is a busy week: you will need to wrap up your peer reviews for WIP Milestone 3 and then prepare for the final milestone: submitting your finished project! To prepare for the final milestone, you will pull together the work you completed for previous milestones, write a cogent and concise executive summary, put the finishing touches on your project, and then submit it for one final round of peer review. We are excited to see your finished projects!
1 video
- Discussion Prompt: What would you like to improve?
- Video: Final Milestone
Graded: Strategic Analysis
WEEK 8
Finished Project Peer Reviews
Welcome to Week 8, our final week together. This is another "buffer" week allowing time to complete your peer reviews. While we only require three peer reviews, please consider completing an additional review or two to help your peers who might still be waiting for their final grade and Specialization Certificate. Additionally, we have a discussion opportunity for you to share final comments, reflections, and thoughts on your capstone experience.
1 item
- Discussion Prompt: Share final thoughts
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
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Creators
University of Virginia
A premier institution of higher education, The University of Virginia offers outstanding academics, world-class faculty, and an inspiring, supportive environment. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University is guided by his vision of discovery, innovation, and development of the full potential of students from all walks of life. Through these courses, global learners have an opportunity to study with renowned scholars and thought leaders.
Pricing
| Audit | Purchase Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Not available | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Not available | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Not available | Available |
Ratings and Reviews
Great course, learned a lot
Excellent program
Great course. My suggestion is to ensure that students develop their feedback, rather than just saying: "good work", "great", "nothing to report". It is a bit frustrating to develop such a large effort and receive this type of feedback just for others to pass the course...
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Great colaborative session!