Advanced Short Learning Programme on Management Strategy

The Advanced short learning programme, also known popularly as the NWU Advanced Management Programme offered for many years at the NWU-Business School. The NWU-Business School has special expertise in the field of Management. There is a great need for sound academic and professional training to top- and middle managers in South Africa that not only provides training in the field of specialisation but also in the broad field of functional management.

Purpose of the course

After that emphasises functional coordination or integration, participants will be able to gather, analyse and critically evaluate information to generate a firm understanding regarding company goals, the application of financial management principles as well as various strategy analysis, such as risk assessment, anticipated resistance and special tactics.

In order to understand the demands of high performance organisations participants will be able to investigate and evaluate market opportunities, an entrepreneurial strategy and skills as well as gain insight into the current labour environment in South Africa.

Participants will also be able to apply their knowledge by researching, compiling and presenting a professionally prepared business document offering solutions to practical integrated business related problems.

Admission requirements

Participants entering this Short learning programme on Advanced Management must have completed the National Senior Certificate or an equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification and the NWU Middle Management course or equivalent.
Participants will also currently occupy at least a middle management position or be ready to be promoted to middle management. Participants will have at least (3) three years’ practical management experience. Participants must also be able to join an allocated syndicate group that would be able to function in a modern electronic environment.

Learning assumed to be in place

Participants entering this Short learning programme on Advanced Management will have through their work experience as middle manager acquired a fair level of knowledge and skills in the field of general management, human relations and the use of technology within the context of an organisational strategic setting.

Course outcomes and assessment criteria

Course outcomes and the associated assessment criteria

Study Unit	Outcomes	Assessment Criteria
	After completion of this course, participants will:	Participant will be assessed on the following criteria:
Module 1: Strategic Management Project	On successful completion of this module participants will be able to: conduct research within the field of strategic management compile and present a professionally prepared business document offering solutions to practical integrated business related problems	The assessor will know that participants have achieved this outcome if they are able to: construct and present a professionally prepared comprehensive strategic plan for an enterprise that consists out of functional strategies for the enterprise offering solutions to practical integrated business related problems indicate how different functional strategies could be implemented, which includes, inter alia, improving and interpreting organisation structure and management systems
Module 2: (Prev. AMP 121 & 124) Formulation and Implementation of Strategy	On successful completion of this module participants will be able to: investigate high performance organisations recognise the drivers behind strategy formulation and implementation identify the strategy-supportive organisation structures and supporting objectives, policies and tactics critically reflect on key performance areas and key performance indicators systematically gather, analyse and evaluate concepts and principles within the field of strategy formulation and implementation utilise knowledge to formulate a strategy that could create a competitive advantage and realise company goals	The assessor will know that participants have achieved this outcome if they are able to: critically evaluate, select and apply key performance areas and key performance indicators explain the drivers behind strategy formulation and implementation discuss strategy-supportive organisation structures and supporting objectives, policies and tactics be able to develop a strategic plan, develop the different functional strategies for the enterprise which includes, inter alia, organisation structure and management systems compile and present a comprehensive professionally prepared strategic plan for the enterprise
Module 3: (AMP 115 ) Corporate Investment Strategy	On successful completion of this module participants will be able to: use financial statements as strategic management documents make investment in asset decisions that will optimise wealth creation. make investment in assets decision based on sound capital budgeting principals	The assessor will know that participants have achieved this outcome if they are able to: analyse and interpret financial statements within the context of strategic management demonstrate the influence of investment decisions on wealth / value creation use capital budgets to make investment decisions
Module 4: (AMP 114) Strategic Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship	On successful completion of this module participants will be able to: investigate and critique the entrepreneurial process within their own organisation/ business environment in order to formulate/design a personal entrepreneurial strategy discuss the important role of entrepreneurship and be able to draft an entrepreneurial strategy for an organisation investigate the development of personal entrepreneurial skills	The assessor will know that participants have achieved this outcome if they are able to: reflect on the entrepreneurial process to his/her unique environment plan and develop a personal entrepreneurial strategy9999draft an entrepreneurial strategy for an organisation showcasing the importance of entrepreneurship within the organisation define and exhibit personal entrepreneurial skills
Module 5: (AMP 113) Strategic Marketing Support	On successful completion of this module participants will be able to: explain the strategic role of marketing within an organisation discuss key principles in the formulation of a marketing strategy which includes planning, analytical tools and techniques managers use to control the strategic realm of marketing in an organisation. Examine the interplay between corporate, business-level and marketing strategies	The assessor will know that participants have achieved this outcome if they are able to: Critically reflect on an organisation’s marketing strategy Taking into account the key principles of a marketing strategy develop a competitive market segmentation strategy and integrated marketing plan.
Module 6: (AMP 122) Technology and Applied E-Business Strategy	On successful completion of this module participants will be able to: examine technology and applied E-Business strategies to determine if and how they meet the demands of the increasingly complex electronics and global environment develop an integrated e-marketing plan and digital media strategy as part of a technology and e-business strategy select appropriate business research methods to evaluate market opportunities in order to design processes to deliver products and services in cyberspace	The assessor will know that participants have achieved this outcome if they are able to: discuss strategies designed to meet the demands of the increasingly complex electronic and global business environment design an integrated e-marketing plan and digital media strategy as part of a technology and e-business strategy evaluate market opportunities and design processes to deliver products and services in cyberspace using appropriate business research methods

Assessment

Participants have to present a comprehensive strategic plan of an enterprise of choice to the director and panel of lecturers on the programme.
To pass a module or the project assessment, a participant has to obtain a final mark of 50% (or more).
To obtain the AMP cum laude (with distinction), the participant has to complete the programme within one academic block (12 months) and has to obtain an average of at least 75% for the seven modules and the integrated assessment project.
Integrated assessment : Strategic Management Project
The participants have to present a comprehensive strategic plan of an enterprise of choice to the director and panel of lecturers on the programme.

Method of assessment

Learning objectives will be accomplished through the following mix of methods and activities: self-study, analysis and discussion of actual cases; in-class individual and group assignments and exercises; and lectures and presentations.
Participants are obliged to function as members, as well as leaders of syndicate groups resulting in continuous peer assessment and feedback.
Continuous evaluation throughout each semester in the form of group discussions and skills checks.
At the end of each semester, their ability to draw together, in a culminating fashion, all of the divergent elements of the experience, and to apply this to the challenging questions set in the paper, is tested in integrated open-book examinations. These examinations again, test their competence in identifying, evaluating and applying relevant information; refining this with their own developed intuition and insights, to arrive at reasoned, logical conclusions, recommendations and managerial decisions/actions.
Integrated assessment : Strategic Management Project
The participants have to present a comprehensive strategic plan of an enterprise of choice to the director and panel of lecturers on the programme.