Instruction
OL 421: Strategic Management and Policy
Center: Online
Course Prerequisites
CE: Completion of 111 Credits; UC: ACC 202, ACC 205 or HOS 202; MKT 113 or MKT 105; ENG 200 and completion of 90 credits
Course Description
Business School Capstone Course. This interdisciplinary approach to the study of the process of strategic management includes strategic analysis planning, implementation, evaluation and control from the perspective of top management in profit-making U.S. and international corporations, and public and non- profit organizations. Text and case studies are used extensively. Writing and team intensive course. Experience with Microsoft Office or equivalent is required. Senior standing or permission of instructor.
Course Outcomes
Demonstrate business communication skills and etiquette for constructing personal and professional reflections in a variety of business environments
Analyze strategic problem-solving skills for enhancing business success
Analyze the use of quantitative and qualitative tools for informing strategic decision-making
Assess ethical, legal, and social challenges for suggesting improvement and enhancement strategies
Assess peer-to-peer and peer-to-leader collaboration for improving performance and decision making
Analyze global business markets for informing future business expansion choices
Analyze entrepreneurial and innovative approaches for solving authentic business problems
Undergraduate Business Core Competencies
1. Communication: Students will demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively through written, oral, and other forms of communication
2. Informational Technology: Students will master information technology principles and contemporary information technology applications and will be able to apply information technology to the greatest advantage in the many aspects of an organization’s operations
3. Problem Solving: Students will develop the skills to identify problems quickly, analyze them reasonably, and find solutions creatively
4. Teamwork: Students will develop a broad range of interpersonal skills in order to function effectively as a participant in team and group situations
P a g e | 2 Sy l labus L a s t Upda ted 9/5/2018
5. Analytical Skills: Students will appropriately use and apply quantitative and qualitative methods of
analysis, data, applied mathematical and statistical techniques, and decision sciences whenever possible
to attain organizational objectives
6. Global Orientation: Students will attain a multidisciplinary global perspective in order to understand
others and make more effective international business decisions
7. Legal and Ethical Practices: Students will realize the legal and ethical considerations and implications of
personal, social, business, and international business behavior and activities
8. Research: Students will be able to conduct primary and secondary research and apply the results for
informed decision making
9. Strategic Approach: Students will be able to think and plan strategically in making business decisions
10. Leadership: Students will be able to function effectively as a team and organization leader
Required Materials
Using your learning resources is critical to your success in this course. Please purchase directly through SNHU’s
online bookstore, MBS Direct, rather than any other vendor. Purchasing directly from the bookstore ensures that
you will obtain the correct materials and that the Help Desk, your advisor, and the instructor can provide you with
support if you have problems.
Capsim Foundation
Students will purchase access to the Capsim Foundation business simulation and participate in eight competitive
rounds in the simulation.
Capsim Foundations / Comp-Xm (Custom Package)
Management Simulation, Inc.
MBS Direct SKU #: 1511692
Instructor Availability and Response Time
Your class interaction with the instructor and your classmates will take place on a regular, ongoing basis. Your
instructor will be actively engaged within the course throughout the week. You will normally communicate with
your instructor in the weekly discussions or the General Questions discussion topic so that your questions and the
instructor’s answers benefit the entire class. You should feel free, however, to communicate with your instructor
via SNHU email at any time, particularly when you want to discuss something of a personal or sensitive nature.
Your instructor will generally provide a response within 24 hours.
P a g e | 3 Sy l labus L a s t Upda ted 9/5/2018
Grade Distribution
Assignment Category
Number of
Graded Items
Point Value
per Item
Total Points
Capsim
Introductory Lesson and Quiz
Rehearsal Tutorial and Quiz
Practice Round 1
Practice Round 2
Competitive Round Participation
Discussions
Comp XM
Final Project
Midway Company Performance Summary
Final Company Performance Summary
1
1
1
1
8
6
1
1
1
15
100
100
600
110
90
100
700
Total Course Points: 1,000
This course may also contain practice activities. The purpose of these non-graded activities is to assist you in
mastering the learning outcomes in the graded activity items listed above.
University Grading System: Undergraduate
* Please refer to the policy page for information on the incomplete grade process.
Grade Numerical Equivalent Points
A 93–100 4
A˗ 90–92 3.67
B+ 87–89 3.33
B 83–86 3
B˗ 80–82 2.67
C+ 77–79 2.33
C 73–76 2
C˗ 70–72 1.67
D+ 67–69 1.33
D 60–66 1
F 0–59 0
I Incomplete
IF Incomplete/Failure *
IP In Progress (past end
of term)
W Withdrawn
P a g e | 4 Sy l labus L a s t Upda ted 9/5/2018
Grading Guides
Specific activity directions, grading guides, posting requirements, and additional deadlines can be found in the
Assignment Guidelines and Rubrics section of the course.
Weekly Assignment Schedule
All reading and assignment information can be found within each module of the course. Assignments and
discussion posts during the first week of each term are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Assignments and
discussion posts for the remainder of the term are due by 11:59 p.m. of the student’s local time zone.
In addition to the textbook readings that are listed, there may be additional required resources within each
module.
Module Topics and Assignments
1 Capsim Orientation
1-1 Discussion: Getting Started
1-2 Top Five Questions About OL 421
1-3 Interactive Roll-Over Document Review
1-4 Introductory Lesson Video and Quiz in Capsim
1-5 Rehearsal Tutorial and Quiz in Capsim
1-6 Practice Rounds 1 and 2
1-7 Final Project Review
2 Decision-Making Strategies Based on Forecasting
2-1 Discussion: Strategy
2-2 Decision Tips Document Review
2-3 Capsim Competitive Round 1
3 Situational Analysis/Awareness
3-1 Discussion: Debrief Round 1
3-2 Capsim Competitive Rounds 2 and 3
4 Rationalizing Strategies for Capacity
4-1 Discussion: Debrief Rounds 2 and 3
4-2 Capsim Competitive Round 4
5 Strategic Process
5-1 Midway Company Performance Summary (PowerPoint)
5-2 Midway Company Performance Summary Peer Review
5-3 Capsim Competitive Rounds 5 and 6
6 Creating Wealth
6-1 Discussion: Debrief Rounds 4, 5, and 6
6-2 Capsim Competitive Rounds 7 and 8
7 The Stakeholders
7-1 Final Project: Final Company Performance Summary
8 Comp-XM and Reflection
8-1 Comp-XM
8-2 Discussion: Reflection
P a g e | 5 Sy l labus L a s t Upda ted 9/5/2018
Attendance Policy
Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion during the first week of class. If a student
does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion during the first week of class, the student is
automatically withdrawn from the course for non-participation. Review the full attendance policy.
Late Assignments Policy
Meeting assigned due dates is critical for demonstrating progress and ensuring appropriate time for instructor
feedback on assignments. Students are expected to submit their assignments on or before the due date. Review
the full late assignment policy.