MNG3701/101/3/2021
Tutorial Letter 101/3/2021
Strategic Planning
MNG3701
Semesters 1 and 2
Department of Business Management
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please register on myUnisa, activate your myLife e-mail addresses and regularly
visit the myUnisa module website, MNG3701-2021-S1/S2, as well as your group
website.
Note: This is a blended module and therefore it is available on myUnisa. However, to
support you in your learning process, you will also receive some study material in
printed format.
BARCODE
, MNG3701/101/3/2021
CONTENTS
Page
1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................. 3
2 OVERVIEW OF MNG3701 .............................................................................................................. 5
3 LECTURERS AND CONTACT DETAILS ........................................................................................ 7
4 RESOURCES ................................................................................................................................. 9
5 HOW TO STUDY ONLINE ............................................................................................................ 11
6 MODULE-SPECIFIC APPROACH ................................................................................................ 12
7 ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................................. 13
8 ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT: STUDENTS WHO QUALIFY FOR THE FINAL-YEAR (FI) ......... 22
9 CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................. 22
ADDENDUM A: COMPULSORY ASSIGNMENT 1 FOR SEMESTER 1 2021...................................... 23
ADDENDUM B: COMPULSORY ASSIGNMENT 2 FOR SEMESTER 1 2021...................................... 26
ADDENDUM C: COMPULSORY ASSIGNMENT 1 FOR SEMESTER 2 2021 ..................................... 29
ADDENDUM D: COMPULSORY ASSIGNMENT 2 FOR SEMESTER 2 2021...................................... 32
ADDENDUM E: DECLARATION ............................................................................................................ 35
2
, MNG3701/101/3/2021
1 INTRODUCTION
Dear Student
A warm welcome to the exciting field of Strategic Planning (MNG3701). Whether this year marks
the end of your undergraduate studies or you are still working towards your final qualification, we
wish you well and encourage you to keep up the good work you have been doing up to now.
MNG3701 will provide you with an introduction to Strategic Planning, which is a vital component of
Strategic Management. As you may be aware, the contemporary business environment is
characterised by unpredictable change and complexity, and as a result, having a competitive
advantage in the globalised world of today is no guarantee of success tomorrow. In this module,
you will learn the art of strategic planning in a complex business environment. As such, you will be
referred to strategy formulation in individual organisations in both the private and public sectors.
We hope that you will gain valuable theoretical knowledge and have the opportunity to apply
strategic management concepts in real business contexts.
As this is a third-year module, we will incorporate contemporary strategic management content by
using the latest resources in the study material. In addition, you will be introduced to case studies in
the formative assessments (assignments) – the same will apply with the summative assessment
(examination).
It is important to note that Strategic Management consists of two modules, namely Strategic
Planning (MNG3701) and Strategy Implementation and Control (MNG3702). This module,
MNG3701, precedes MNG3702, which means that MNG3702 builds on this module. Strategic
Planning focuses on all the issues involved in strategy formulation; on the other hand, Strategy
Implementation and Control involves the execution of the strategic plan, as well as effective
strategy evaluation and control.
This tutorial letter is the first tutorial letter for MNG3701 and its primary objective is the following:
• Introduce you to the concepts of strategy, strategic management and strategic planning.
• Introduce you to the learning outcomes as outlined in section 2.2, that you need to master by
the end of the semester.
• Provide information on the programme and our approach to this module.
• Provide information on the requisite learning materials and tutorial matter.
3
, MNG3701/101/3/2021
• Inform you about your lecturers and their contact information.
• List the compulsory assignments that have to be submitted during the semester, as well as
the self-assessment assignments that you have to attempt on your own.
Throughout the semester you will receive several tutorial letters. Some tutorial letters will contain
model answers, which provide feedback on the assignments, improvement areas that you need to
consider and information on how to communicate with the University.
Consult this tutorial letter (TL101) before you schedule a meeting or pick up the telephone –
you may be pleasantly surprised to find that this resource contains the answers you are looking for.
Should you still have a query, you are most welcome to contact us for assistance. Should you have
any academic queries, do not hesitate to contact us or your e-tutors and we will work together to
clarify your understanding of MNG3701.
Since this is a blended module comprising both printed and online materials, it will be beneficial for
you to use myUnisa to study and complete the learning activities for this module. You also need to
visit the myUnisa website for MNG3701 regularly. Depending on your registration period, the
website for your module is MNG3701-21-S1 or MNG3701-21-S2, for the first and second
semesters, respectively.
1.1 Getting started …
Owing to the nature of this module, you can read about the module and find your study material
online. Go to https://my.unisa.ac.za and log in with your student number and password. You will
see [MNG3701-21-S1/S2] in the row of modules displayed in the orange blocks at the top of the
webpage. Select the More tab if you cannot find the module you require in the orange blocks. Then
click on the module you want to open.
You will receive this tutorial letter and a printed copy of the online study material for your module.
While the printed material may appear different from the online study material, it is the same.
We wish you much success in your studies!
4
Tutorial Letter 101/3/2021
Strategic Planning
MNG3701
Semesters 1 and 2
Department of Business Management
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please register on myUnisa, activate your myLife e-mail addresses and regularly
visit the myUnisa module website, MNG3701-2021-S1/S2, as well as your group
website.
Note: This is a blended module and therefore it is available on myUnisa. However, to
support you in your learning process, you will also receive some study material in
printed format.
BARCODE
, MNG3701/101/3/2021
CONTENTS
Page
1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................. 3
2 OVERVIEW OF MNG3701 .............................................................................................................. 5
3 LECTURERS AND CONTACT DETAILS ........................................................................................ 7
4 RESOURCES ................................................................................................................................. 9
5 HOW TO STUDY ONLINE ............................................................................................................ 11
6 MODULE-SPECIFIC APPROACH ................................................................................................ 12
7 ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................................. 13
8 ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT: STUDENTS WHO QUALIFY FOR THE FINAL-YEAR (FI) ......... 22
9 CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................. 22
ADDENDUM A: COMPULSORY ASSIGNMENT 1 FOR SEMESTER 1 2021...................................... 23
ADDENDUM B: COMPULSORY ASSIGNMENT 2 FOR SEMESTER 1 2021...................................... 26
ADDENDUM C: COMPULSORY ASSIGNMENT 1 FOR SEMESTER 2 2021 ..................................... 29
ADDENDUM D: COMPULSORY ASSIGNMENT 2 FOR SEMESTER 2 2021...................................... 32
ADDENDUM E: DECLARATION ............................................................................................................ 35
2
, MNG3701/101/3/2021
1 INTRODUCTION
Dear Student
A warm welcome to the exciting field of Strategic Planning (MNG3701). Whether this year marks
the end of your undergraduate studies or you are still working towards your final qualification, we
wish you well and encourage you to keep up the good work you have been doing up to now.
MNG3701 will provide you with an introduction to Strategic Planning, which is a vital component of
Strategic Management. As you may be aware, the contemporary business environment is
characterised by unpredictable change and complexity, and as a result, having a competitive
advantage in the globalised world of today is no guarantee of success tomorrow. In this module,
you will learn the art of strategic planning in a complex business environment. As such, you will be
referred to strategy formulation in individual organisations in both the private and public sectors.
We hope that you will gain valuable theoretical knowledge and have the opportunity to apply
strategic management concepts in real business contexts.
As this is a third-year module, we will incorporate contemporary strategic management content by
using the latest resources in the study material. In addition, you will be introduced to case studies in
the formative assessments (assignments) – the same will apply with the summative assessment
(examination).
It is important to note that Strategic Management consists of two modules, namely Strategic
Planning (MNG3701) and Strategy Implementation and Control (MNG3702). This module,
MNG3701, precedes MNG3702, which means that MNG3702 builds on this module. Strategic
Planning focuses on all the issues involved in strategy formulation; on the other hand, Strategy
Implementation and Control involves the execution of the strategic plan, as well as effective
strategy evaluation and control.
This tutorial letter is the first tutorial letter for MNG3701 and its primary objective is the following:
• Introduce you to the concepts of strategy, strategic management and strategic planning.
• Introduce you to the learning outcomes as outlined in section 2.2, that you need to master by
the end of the semester.
• Provide information on the programme and our approach to this module.
• Provide information on the requisite learning materials and tutorial matter.
3
, MNG3701/101/3/2021
• Inform you about your lecturers and their contact information.
• List the compulsory assignments that have to be submitted during the semester, as well as
the self-assessment assignments that you have to attempt on your own.
Throughout the semester you will receive several tutorial letters. Some tutorial letters will contain
model answers, which provide feedback on the assignments, improvement areas that you need to
consider and information on how to communicate with the University.
Consult this tutorial letter (TL101) before you schedule a meeting or pick up the telephone –
you may be pleasantly surprised to find that this resource contains the answers you are looking for.
Should you still have a query, you are most welcome to contact us for assistance. Should you have
any academic queries, do not hesitate to contact us or your e-tutors and we will work together to
clarify your understanding of MNG3701.
Since this is a blended module comprising both printed and online materials, it will be beneficial for
you to use myUnisa to study and complete the learning activities for this module. You also need to
visit the myUnisa website for MNG3701 regularly. Depending on your registration period, the
website for your module is MNG3701-21-S1 or MNG3701-21-S2, for the first and second
semesters, respectively.
1.1 Getting started …
Owing to the nature of this module, you can read about the module and find your study material
online. Go to https://my.unisa.ac.za and log in with your student number and password. You will
see [MNG3701-21-S1/S2] in the row of modules displayed in the orange blocks at the top of the
webpage. Select the More tab if you cannot find the module you require in the orange blocks. Then
click on the module you want to open.
You will receive this tutorial letter and a printed copy of the online study material for your module.
While the printed material may appear different from the online study material, it is the same.
We wish you much success in your studies!
4
