The course introduces participants to the process of developing a business growth strategy. The course gives participants an experiential learning challenge in tackling a business growth challenge on behalf of an external client. By working with a challenge posed by an external client, participants apply and adapt their skills around real management constraints, building on the client organisation's cumulative resource history, its present capacity and the owners'/managers' intended strategy.

Course participants analyse the client's business dynamics and the client's growth challenge, and prepare strategy recommendations. This project-based course requires participants to apply all of the core disciplines of management to understand the client's business dynamics. The course is conducted in workshops and seminars and through participant teams actively researching the growth challenge posed by the client.

It is a requirement of undertaking this course that students sign an Agreement covering the conduct of the project. The Agreement covers professional conduct, client confidentiality and privacy, and the responsibilities of all parties, as well as the handling of questions, issues, disputes and disciplinary action.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Frame business growth challenges using dynamic and systemic analysis tools
2. Illustrate the interrelation between external market opportunities, internal capabilities and business growth dynamics
3. Identify growth opportunities for the client organisation
4. Use formal criteria to choose amongst growth opportunities for the client organisation
5. Develop a comprehensive growth strategy for a new initiative, whether a post-start-up entrepreneurial venture or a business growth initiative within a large established corporation
6. Integrate critical thinking and problem solving skills in multidisciplinary and cross-cultural teams to address business dilemmas
7. Create a substantial shared project on business growth opportunities
8. Reflect on recommendations about business growth opportunities presented to an external client

Research-Led Teaching

The course has been developed over many years by experienced practitioners in business dynamics, growth and international strategy. Building on a course originally presented by

Melbourne-based consultant and academic, Dr John Barton, the present lecturer has developed the course frameworks and approaches based on regular interactions and on-going research with high-growth Australian companies.

Field Trips

There are no field trips for this course

Additional Course Costs

There are no additional costs for this course

Examination Material or equipment

Please see details for assessment task 2

Required Resources

Warren, Strategy Dynamics Essentials, Strategy Dynamics Ltd., 2010. This is available from Kim Warren’s website: https://www.strategydynamics.com/

(https://www.strategydynamics.com/)

A copy of the textbook will be held in the ANU library reserve & short loan collection.

Recommended Resources

• Warren, Competitive Strategy Dynamics, John Wiley, 2002. It’s out of print but you may be able to buy a PDF version of this also, direct from https://www.strategydynamics.com/ (https://www.strategydynamics.com/)
• Sterman, Business Dynamics, McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2000.
• Kaplan & Norton, Strategy Maps, Harvard Business School Press, 2004
• Kaplan & Norton, The Balanced Scorecard: Translating Strategy into Action, Harvard Business School Press, 1996.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Week 1: Intro to Dynamics of Growth; Practice teams; Launch of Practice Project	Ref: Warren (2010) Ch 1, 2 & 3; (Warren (2002) Ch 1, 2 & 3) Practice Project For next class: Scope, Analyse Practice Project.
2	Week 2: Strategy Dynamics method; Reinforcing and Balancing Feedback; Teams work on Practice Project	Ref: Warren (2010) Ch 4; (Warren (2002) Ch 4 & 5); Plus Practice Case Practice Project For next class: Analyse Practice Case using Strategy Dynamics method.
3	Week 3: Building the Strategic Architecture; Other useful tools: BMC, BSC, Strategy Maps; Teams work on Practice Project	Refs: Warren (2010) Ch 4, 5 & 6; (Warren (2002) Ch 6); Sterman (2000), Ch 5 & 6; Kaplan & Norton (1996); Kaplan & Norton (2004) For next class: Practice Project written analysis due 14 March, for presentation in class, 21 March Also form Main Project Team and choose Main Project.
4	Week 4: Practice Teams present analysis of Practice Project; Feedback and Review; Managing the Main Project	Refs: As above; Plus information from Practice Case Complete Client Project Agreement.
5	Week 5: In-Class Exam	Application of Warren (2010) Chs 1-10; (Warren (2002) Chs 1-6) For next class: Meet Main Project client, Take brief, Research, analyse client growth dynamics, growth dilemma, Draft Main Project Scope.
6	Week 6: Teams work on Main Project Scope	Refs: As above, plus client information, plus external research Also Warren (2010) Ch 7, 8, 9 & 10; (Warren (2002) Ch 8, 9 & 10) Liaise with client, Refine Main Project Scope, Complete Client Project Agreement. Teams submit Main Project Scope 29th March Continue Research, Analysis, Build model/framework, Brief client.
7	Week 7: Team Main Project Workshop 1; Progress update; Review	Sources: As above, plus client information, plus external research In-class: Teams present summary of client’s key resources and growth dynamics.
8	Week 8: Team Main Project Workshop 2; Progress update; Review	Sources: As above. In-class: Teams present analysis of client's (market) opportunities and (resource) constraints Teams submit Draft Plans 2 May.
9	Week 9: Team Main Project Workshop 3; Progress update; Review	Sources: As above. In-class: Teams present systemic growth initiatives, resource implications, integrated action plan.
10	Week 10: Final Team Consultations	Sources: As above.
11	Week 11: Teams practise final presentations; Course wrap-up, review	Sources; As above. In-class: Teams practice final presentation Teams submit Final Plans 24 May. Teams to confirm date/time of final client presentation with Course Convenor by 27 May.
12	Week 12: Teams arrange final presentations with clients, May 21st-25th; (No class)	Sources: As above Teams present to clients (27-31 May). Candidates submit individual Reflective Learning Reports (31 May)

Tutorial Registration

n/a

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Task 1: Practice Project (Non-graded)	0 %	14/03/2019	04/04/2019	1,2,3,4,5,6
Task 2: In-Class Exam	30 %	28/03/2019	11/04/2019	1,2,3,4,5,6
Task 3: Main Project Scope (Non-graded)	0 %	04/04/2019	18/04/2019	1,2,3,4,5,6
Task 4: Progress workshops and presentations (Non-graded)	0 %	26/04/2019	23/05/2019	1,2,3,4,5,6
Task 5: Draft of Growth Plan (Main Team Project) (Non-graded)	0 %	02/05/2019	09/05/2019	1,2,3,4,5,6
Task 6: Final Growth Plan (Main Team Project)	30 %	23/05/2019	31/05/2019	1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Task 7: Final Presentation to Client (Main Team Project)	20 %	27/05/2019	04/07/2019	1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Task 8 Reflective Learning Report	20 %	31/05/2019	04/07/2019	1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Participation is expected in all classes and assessment.

Examination(s)

There is an in-class examination for the course. Please refer to details for assessment task 2.

Assessment Task 1

Task 1: Practice Project (Non-graded)

In order to facilitate the work on graded assessment tasks, course participants will also need to undertake 4 Non-graded practice tasks.

The Non-graded practice tasks provide essential building-blocks that help in the development of the graded assessment items.

Note: In this course, work that is compiled in a big push just before the due date, is rarely satisfactory.

Written analysis

Due: Thursday week 3

Form of submission: Via Turnitin

Feedback by: Friday week 6

In-class presentation:

Due: Week 4

Form of submission: In class

Feedback by: In-Class, week 4

Please note: Assessment Tasks are described in detail in the Additional Course Information on Wattle.

Assessment Task 2

Task 2: In-Class Exam

Individual Assessment

In-Class: Thursday, week 5

Form of submission: in class, 3-hours, Open-book

Return of Assessment results: By end of week 6

Please note: Tasks are described in detail in the Additional Course Information on Wattle.

Assessment Task 3

Task 3: Main Project Scope (Non-graded)

Main Team Project

Due: Thursday week 6

Feedback by: Consultations during Mid-Semester Break

Please note: Tasks are described in detail in the Additional Course Information on Wattle.

Assessment Task 4

Task 4: Progress workshops and presentations (Non-graded)

Main Team Project

Due Dates: During seminars in weeks 7, 8, 9 and 11 of semester (note for week 7, due to the ANZAC day public holiday, the week 7 due date, and seminar date, is Friday 26 April 2019)

Form of submission: In class. Week 7 submission details will be available on Wattle.

Feedback by: In-Class

Please note: Tasks are described in detail in the Additional Course Information on Wattle.

Note: extensions for this assessment are not applicable, and thus won't be approved.

Assessment Task 5

Task 5: Draft of Growth Plan (Main Team Project) (Non-graded)

Team Assessment

Due date: Thursday Week 8

Form of submission: Via Turnitin

Return of Assessment: Friday Week 9

Please note: Tasks are described in detail in the Additional Course Information on Wattle.

Note: extensions for this assessment are not applicable, and thus won't be approved.

Assessment Task 6

Task 6: Final Growth Plan (Main Team Project)

Team Assessment

Due date: Thursday week 11

Form of submission: Via Turnitin; PLUS two bound hard-copies

Return of Assessment: Friday week 12

Please note: Tasks are described in detail in the Additional Course Information on Wattle.

Note: extensions for this assessment are not applicable, and thus won't be approved.

Assessment Task 7

Task 7: Final Presentation to Client (Main Team Project)

Team Assessment

Due date: Teams arrange a date and time with the Client and the Course Convenor to be held sometime in week 12

(Teams to confirm dates/times for client presentations by Friday week 11); Presentation slides to be submitted by Friday week 11

Form of submission: Presentation at clients' premises, together with Course Convenor. The presentation will be recorded but commercial confidentiality will be respected.

Return of Assessment: Release of final course marks

Please note: Tasks are described in detail in the Additional Course Information on Wattle

Note: extensions for this assessment are not applicable, and thus won't be approved.

Assessment Task 8

Task 8 Reflective Learning Report

Each participant prepares a Reflection on their experience and learning from the Main Team Project, commenting on:

1. The Main Project Company

2. The Team

3. The Task

4. Themselves

5. Their goals and skill development plans

Due date: Friday week 12

Return of Assessment: Release of final course marks

Please note: The Tasks are described in detail in the Additional Course Information on Wattle

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Please see relevant assessment task details above.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Unless specified otherwise in the assessment requirements, resubmissions are permitted up until the due date and time, but not allowed afterwards.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students