Strategic Planning & Analysis Flashcards

According to Porter's Five Forces, which of these is NOT one of the five forces?

Answer: Government regulation

The five forces are rivalry, new entrants, substitutes, buyer power, and supplier power; regulation is not one of them.

A SMART goal must be which of the following?

Answer: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound

SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

In the BCG growth-share matrix, a business unit with high market share in a low-growth market is called a:

Answer: Cash cow

Cash cows hold high share in mature markets and generate more cash than they need to reinvest.

What does variance analysis compare?

Answer: Actual results against planned or budgeted results

Variance analysis examines differences between actual and planned figures to find causes and corrective actions.

Which tool is best suited for exploring multiple plausible futures under high uncertainty?

Answer: Scenario planning

Scenario planning develops several alternative futures so strategies can be tested for resilience.

A KPI should primarily be chosen because it:

Answer: Reflects progress toward a critical strategic objective

Effective KPIs are tied directly to strategic objectives, not just to data convenience.

Core competencies are best described as:

Answer: Unique strengths that provide competitive advantage and are hard to imitate

Core competencies are distinctive capabilities that create value and are difficult for rivals to copy.