Part 1: Identify the problem that management needs to solve. What priority decision needs to be made? Make sure you describe the nature of the problem and why it is important; i.e., what impact will this decision have on the organization and other stakeholders?

Part 2: Perform some analyses to help you determine what factors are important for management to consider in making this decision:

a. SWOT analysis

b. NPEST analysis

c. Porter's 5-Force Analysis

d. Stakeholder analysis

For each of these analyses, present the analyses (use a table or lists if this helps to make the information more clear). Then, write a brief paragraph after each analysis summarizing the highlights of that analysis that you think are most relevant to this decision.You will need more information about this particular industry or about environmental factors, so you will have to do some research.You will need at least 5 (five)sources (Wikipedia and the Dictionary do not count as sources.)

Part 3: Based on your analyses, identify 3 (three)possible decisions you might make. In other words, what are three reasonable alternatives that management might choose to pursue to help solve this problem? (Don't forget to consult Chapter 7 as you consider strategic options.)

For each of these three options, identify what you perceive to be the pros and cons of pursuing that particular alternative. Use the information you discovered in your analyses and course concepts to guide you, and try to list as many as you can think of. Resist the urge to make a decision too soon!!! Try to remain objective as you consider each alternative.

Part 4: Make a decision and create an action plan for 1 (one)of the options you discovered above. Which of the three options that you identified seems to be the best way to solve the issue/problem?(Different groups may make very different recommendations!) Why do you believe this is true (defend your choice)?

Develop a step-by-step action plan to carry out your decision. Your action plan should include specific steps for each of the four management functions: Planning, Leading, Organizing, and Controlling. You will want to make sure that the organization will be able to measure results and evaluate how the plan is working down the road.

This concludes the portion of the assignment that you will be working on as a group.

Part 5:Reflection (individual submissions)

A: Reflect on and answer the following questions regarding this course project:

1. As you did the actual work of the project, what did you discover about the plan you created at the beginning of the project?

a. What did you plan for effectively?

b. What did you miss in your planning process?

c. If you could start over again, how would your project plan be different?

2. What were your strengths as an individual team member? What were your weaknesses?

3. How did your group handle situations that were "unplanned"? Was your group teamwork effective or largely ineffective, and why?

How would you assess your individual contribution to the sense of team?

4. Did you meet your group objectives for this project (in the absence of knowing your final grade)? Did you meet your personal objectives? Did you meet your planned targets?

B: Peer and Group Assessments + Contract Documents

1. Complete a self- and peer-assessment. Do not forget to include an explanation for your ratings.Use evaluation form titled "Peer Evaluation" in the Miscellaneous section of the Project Instructions on Moodle.

2. The evaluation MUST be handed in with your report.

a. You can hand these in either in an envelope at the back of your report or as part of an Appendix section at the end of your report.

3. Your group MUST also complete and hand in a Team Contract - template is in the Miscellaneous section on Moodle.

4. Lastly, each group member MUST complete a Time Log. A template for the format is also in the Miscellaneous section on Moodle. All Time Logs will have the following elements:

a. Tasks completed

b. Length of time to complete each task

c. When each task was completed

d. Total time spent on project by each project member

e. Signatures of each team member on each Time Log, indicating everyone has agreed to each other's Time Log entries.