MNG3701/001/3/2021
Tutorial Letter 001/3/2021
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
Open Rubric
, MNG3701/001/3/2021
CONTENTS
Page
1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Getting started ...................................................................................................................................... 5
2 OVERVIEW OF MNG3701 ........................................................................................................... 6
2.1 Purpose ....................................................................................................................................... 6
2.2 Outcomes .................................................................................................................................... 6
3 LECTURERS AND CONTACT DETAILS ...................................................................................... 8
3.1 Lecturers ..................................................................................................................................... 8
3.2 Lecturers' availability ................................................................................................................. 9
3.3 Department ................................................................................................................................... 9
3.4 University .................................................................................................................................... 9
4 RESOURCES ............................................................................................................................. 10
4.1 Joining myUnisa ......................................................................................................................... 10
4.2 Prescribed book.......................................................................................................................... 10
4.3 Other resources – printed support material ................................................................................. 11
4.4 Electronic reserves (online tutoring) ............................................................................................ 11
4.5 Face-to-face tutors...................................................................................................................... 11
4.6 Library services and resource information................................................................................... 11
5 HOW TO STUDY ONLINE.......................................................................................................... 12
5.1 What does it mean to study a blended module? .................................................................... 12
5.2 The myUnisa tools you will use ............................................................................................... 12
6 MODULE-SPECIFIC APPROACH .............................................................................................. 13
7 ASSESSMENT ........................................................................................................................... 14
7.1 Assessment plan ...................................................................................................................... 14
7.2 Assignments ............................................................................................................................. 14
7.3 Unique assignment numbers ................................................................................................... 15
7.4 Due dates for assignments ...................................................................................................... 15
7.5 Submission of assignments .................................................................................................... 16
7.6 Assignment guidelines............................................................................................................. 16
7.6.1 Plagiarism ................................................................................................................................... 16
7.6.2 Technical requirements............................................................................................................... 17
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, MNG3701/001/3/2021
7.6.3 The body of your assignment ...................................................................................................... 19
7.6.4 Comments and feedback on assignments .................................................................................. 20
7.6.5 The assessment process ............................................................................................................ 20
7.6.6 Other assessment methods ........................................................................................................ 21
7.7 The examination ......................................................................................................................... 21
7.7.1 Semester mark and the examination........................................................................................... 21
7.7.2 Format of the examination .......................................................................................................... 22
8 ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT: STUDENTS WHO QUALIFY FOR THE FINAL-YEAR (FI)
CONCESSION ........................................................................................................................... 22
9 CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................ 23
ADDENDUM A: COMPULSORY ASSIGNMENT 01 FOR SEMESTER 1 & 2 ...................................... 24
ADDENDUM B: COMPULSORY ASSIGNMENT 02 FOR SEMESTER 1 & 2 ...................................... 27
ADDENDUM C: DECLARATION ............................................................................................................ 30
3
, MNG3701/001/3/2021
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 your study material. In addition, you will be introduced to case studies
in your formative assessments (assignments) and the same will apply with your summative
assessment (examination).
It is important to note that Strategic Management consists of two modules: 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 to do 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.
4
Tutorial Letter 001/3/2021
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
Open Rubric
, MNG3701/001/3/2021
CONTENTS
Page
1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Getting started ...................................................................................................................................... 5
2 OVERVIEW OF MNG3701 ........................................................................................................... 6
2.1 Purpose ....................................................................................................................................... 6
2.2 Outcomes .................................................................................................................................... 6
3 LECTURERS AND CONTACT DETAILS ...................................................................................... 8
3.1 Lecturers ..................................................................................................................................... 8
3.2 Lecturers' availability ................................................................................................................. 9
3.3 Department ................................................................................................................................... 9
3.4 University .................................................................................................................................... 9
4 RESOURCES ............................................................................................................................. 10
4.1 Joining myUnisa ......................................................................................................................... 10
4.2 Prescribed book.......................................................................................................................... 10
4.3 Other resources – printed support material ................................................................................. 11
4.4 Electronic reserves (online tutoring) ............................................................................................ 11
4.5 Face-to-face tutors...................................................................................................................... 11
4.6 Library services and resource information................................................................................... 11
5 HOW TO STUDY ONLINE.......................................................................................................... 12
5.1 What does it mean to study a blended module? .................................................................... 12
5.2 The myUnisa tools you will use ............................................................................................... 12
6 MODULE-SPECIFIC APPROACH .............................................................................................. 13
7 ASSESSMENT ........................................................................................................................... 14
7.1 Assessment plan ...................................................................................................................... 14
7.2 Assignments ............................................................................................................................. 14
7.3 Unique assignment numbers ................................................................................................... 15
7.4 Due dates for assignments ...................................................................................................... 15
7.5 Submission of assignments .................................................................................................... 16
7.6 Assignment guidelines............................................................................................................. 16
7.6.1 Plagiarism ................................................................................................................................... 16
7.6.2 Technical requirements............................................................................................................... 17
2
, MNG3701/001/3/2021
7.6.3 The body of your assignment ...................................................................................................... 19
7.6.4 Comments and feedback on assignments .................................................................................. 20
7.6.5 The assessment process ............................................................................................................ 20
7.6.6 Other assessment methods ........................................................................................................ 21
7.7 The examination ......................................................................................................................... 21
7.7.1 Semester mark and the examination........................................................................................... 21
7.7.2 Format of the examination .......................................................................................................... 22
8 ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT: STUDENTS WHO QUALIFY FOR THE FINAL-YEAR (FI)
CONCESSION ........................................................................................................................... 22
9 CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................ 23
ADDENDUM A: COMPULSORY ASSIGNMENT 01 FOR SEMESTER 1 & 2 ...................................... 24
ADDENDUM B: COMPULSORY ASSIGNMENT 02 FOR SEMESTER 1 & 2 ...................................... 27
ADDENDUM C: DECLARATION ............................................................................................................ 30
3
, MNG3701/001/3/2021
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 your study material. In addition, you will be introduced to case studies
in your formative assessments (assignments) and the same will apply with your summative
assessment (examination).
It is important to note that Strategic Management consists of two modules: 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 to do 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.
4
