BUSA — MSc33 Nyenrode
Strategy Framework
Decision Guide
When · Why · How to choose every framework for the exam
,How to Use This Guide
When you get an exam question, ask yourself ONE question first:
What is the question asking about?
• The OUTSIDE world (environment, industry) → go to Section 2
• The FIRM itself (resources, culture, stakeholders) → go to Section 3
• How to COMPETE (strategy type, positioning) → go to Section 4
• How to GROW (direction, portfolio) → go to Section 5
• Going INTERNATIONAL → go to Section 6
• EVALUATING a strategy (is it good?) → go to Section 7
• IMPLEMENTING or changing strategy → go to Section 8
Then use the Exam Cheat Sheet at the back (Section 9) to confirm your choice.
, The Master Decision Tree
Match the question type to the right framework.
Question Type Sub-question Use This Framework Key Output
EXTERNAL / MACRO Broad trends & forces PESTEL Analysis Opportunities & threats
list
EXTERNAL / MACRO Future is uncertain Scenario Analysis 2–4 plausible futures
INDUSTRY (MESO) Is the industry Porter's Five Forces H/M/L per force + verdict
attractive?
INDUSTRY (MESO) Who actually Strategic Groups / Map Visual cluster map
competes?
FIRM — INTERNAL Does a resource give VRIO Framework Sustained / temp / no
advantage? advantage
FIRM — INTERNAL Where does value get Value Chain Analysis Strong/weak activities
created?
FIRM — INTERNAL Culture influences Culture Web 7 elements mapped
strategy?
FIRM — INTERNAL Culture blocking Strategic Drift Model 4 phases of drift
change?
INSIDE + OUTSIDE Full strategic snapshot SWOT Analysis S, W, O, T overview
INSIDE + OUTSIDE Actions from that TOWS Matrix SO, ST, WO, WT
snapshot strategies
INSIDE + OUTSIDE Who are the Power-Attention Matrix Prioritised stakeholder
stakeholders? map
HOW TO COMPETE What type of strategy? Porter's Generic Cost leader / Diff / Focus
Strategies
HOW TO COMPETE Price vs value Strategy Clock Position on clock circle
positioning?
HOW TO COMPETE How does firm make Business Model Canvas 9-block canvas
money?
GROWTH / Which direction to Ansoff Matrix 4 growth options + risk
PORTFOLIO grow?
GROWTH / Manage business units BCG Matrix Stars/Cows/QM/Dogs
PORTFOLIO (SBUs)
GROWTH / More nuanced portfolio GE-McKinsey Matrix Invest/Select/Divest
PORTFOLIO tool
INTERNATIONAL Why go international? Yip's Globalisation 4 drivers
Drivers
INTERNATIONAL Why is a country Porter's Diamond 4 national advantages
strong?
INTERNATIONAL Which country to enter CAGE Framework 4 types of distance
first?
INTERNATIONAL Global vs local balance? Bartlett & Ghoshal IR Global/Trans/Intl/
Multidom
INTERNATIONAL How to enter a market? Entry Mode Strategies Export → JV → Wholly
owned
EVALUATION Is this strategy good? SAFE Criteria Suitable / Accept /
Feasible
Strategy Framework
Decision Guide
When · Why · How to choose every framework for the exam
,How to Use This Guide
When you get an exam question, ask yourself ONE question first:
What is the question asking about?
• The OUTSIDE world (environment, industry) → go to Section 2
• The FIRM itself (resources, culture, stakeholders) → go to Section 3
• How to COMPETE (strategy type, positioning) → go to Section 4
• How to GROW (direction, portfolio) → go to Section 5
• Going INTERNATIONAL → go to Section 6
• EVALUATING a strategy (is it good?) → go to Section 7
• IMPLEMENTING or changing strategy → go to Section 8
Then use the Exam Cheat Sheet at the back (Section 9) to confirm your choice.
, The Master Decision Tree
Match the question type to the right framework.
Question Type Sub-question Use This Framework Key Output
EXTERNAL / MACRO Broad trends & forces PESTEL Analysis Opportunities & threats
list
EXTERNAL / MACRO Future is uncertain Scenario Analysis 2–4 plausible futures
INDUSTRY (MESO) Is the industry Porter's Five Forces H/M/L per force + verdict
attractive?
INDUSTRY (MESO) Who actually Strategic Groups / Map Visual cluster map
competes?
FIRM — INTERNAL Does a resource give VRIO Framework Sustained / temp / no
advantage? advantage
FIRM — INTERNAL Where does value get Value Chain Analysis Strong/weak activities
created?
FIRM — INTERNAL Culture influences Culture Web 7 elements mapped
strategy?
FIRM — INTERNAL Culture blocking Strategic Drift Model 4 phases of drift
change?
INSIDE + OUTSIDE Full strategic snapshot SWOT Analysis S, W, O, T overview
INSIDE + OUTSIDE Actions from that TOWS Matrix SO, ST, WO, WT
snapshot strategies
INSIDE + OUTSIDE Who are the Power-Attention Matrix Prioritised stakeholder
stakeholders? map
HOW TO COMPETE What type of strategy? Porter's Generic Cost leader / Diff / Focus
Strategies
HOW TO COMPETE Price vs value Strategy Clock Position on clock circle
positioning?
HOW TO COMPETE How does firm make Business Model Canvas 9-block canvas
money?
GROWTH / Which direction to Ansoff Matrix 4 growth options + risk
PORTFOLIO grow?
GROWTH / Manage business units BCG Matrix Stars/Cows/QM/Dogs
PORTFOLIO (SBUs)
GROWTH / More nuanced portfolio GE-McKinsey Matrix Invest/Select/Divest
PORTFOLIO tool
INTERNATIONAL Why go international? Yip's Globalisation 4 drivers
Drivers
INTERNATIONAL Why is a country Porter's Diamond 4 national advantages
strong?
INTERNATIONAL Which country to enter CAGE Framework 4 types of distance
first?
INTERNATIONAL Global vs local balance? Bartlett & Ghoshal IR Global/Trans/Intl/
Multidom
INTERNATIONAL How to enter a market? Entry Mode Strategies Export → JV → Wholly
owned
EVALUATION Is this strategy good? SAFE Criteria Suitable / Accept /
Feasible
