Category: Management

The assessment assignment is worth 20 points. This assignment is to submit the results of the assessments and a three-page description of what you learned from, agreed with, and disagreed with by taking the self-assessment instruments. PLEASE BE SURE TO DO ALL 5 ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS. Download the instruments and save to your computer before attempting.

• Please download this weeks reading and corresponding homework assignment:
• After completing the reading, answer the assigned questions in a Word document.
• Format your homework as follows: double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins.

You are the risk manager for a major infrastructure project involving multiple stakeholders, tight deadlines, and significant financial exposure. As part of your risk analysis, you have identified the following potential risk events:

Risk ID	Risk Description	Probability of Event (Pe)	Probability of Impact (Pi)	Total Loss (Lt)
R1	Delay in material delivery	0.4	0.8	$500,000
R2	Labor strike	0.2	0.9	$1,000,000
R3	Equipment failure	0.5	0.6	$250,000
R4	Design change by client	0.3	0.7	$600,000
R5	Unexpected regulatory inspection	0.1	0.5	$750,000

Tasks:

1. Calculate the Expected Loss (Le) for each risk and for the entire project

2.. Assign a Likelihood and Impact rating to each risk on a scale from 1 (low) to 5 (high), based on the probabilities provided. For example:

Likelihood rating:

• 0.10.2 = 1
• 0.30.4 = 3
• 0.5 and above = 5

Impact rating:

• 0.10.2 = 1
• 0.30.4 = 2
• 0.50.6 = 3
• 0.70.8 = 4
• 0.91.0 = 5

3. Calculate the Severity for each risk.

4. Categorize each risk into zones based on its severity score:

• Red Zone (High Risk): 1215
• Yellow Zone (Medium Risk): 811
• Green Zone (Low Risk): Less than 8

5. Compare your rankings from the Expected Loss and the Severity Matrix. Do the two methods prioritize the same risks? If not, explain why.

6. Given that impact is often considered more important than likelihood (e.g., a 10% chance of losing $1,000,000 may be seen as more severe than a 90% chance of losing $1,000), discuss which method (Expected Loss vs. Severity Matrix) provides better guidance for decision-making in this scenario.

7. Finally, propose a risk response plan for the top two highest-priority risks, including mitigation or contingency strategies. For risks that cannot be fully addressed, explain how you would monitor and manage them throughout the project lifecycle.

Useful Resources for the Assignment:

Using decision models in the real world

Qualitative risk assessment

Assigned Readings:

Chapter 7: Project Risk Identification Tools

Chapter 8: Project Risk Analysis and Identification

Initial Postings: Read and reflect on the assigned readings for the week. Then post what you thought was the most important concept(s), method(s), term(s), and/or any other thing that you felt was worthy of your understanding in each assigned textbook chapter.Your initial post should be based upon the assigned reading for the week, so the textbook should be a source listed in your reference section and cited within the body of the text. Other sources are not required but feel free to use them if they aid in your discussion.

Also, provide a graduate-level response to each of the following questions:

Background: HavenWood Interiors is a growing, family-owned business specializing in handcrafted furniture, with 48 employees and operations across two workshop facilities and one retail showroom. Over the past five years, the company has experienced steady growth, thanks to a rising demand for bespoke, sustainably made home furnishings.

However, with growth comes increased exposure to risk. Recent eventsincluding a break-in at the warehouse, a worker injury due to machinery malfunction, and a regional flood that delayed supplier shipmentshave prompted the leadership team to reconsider their risk management strategy. In particular, the CFO has suggested exploring comprehensive insurance coverage as a critical tool in protecting the companys operations, finances, and workforce. As the companys newly appointed Risk Manager, you have been tasked with preparing a portfolio for the next board meeting. Your job is to clearly explain:

• What insurance is and how it functions,
• How the proposed insurance policies will protect the business,
• The specific terms and clauses in the policies,
• And how insurance fits into the companys broader risk management frameworkincluding under conditions of extreme, unpredictable events.

Your portfolio must support the boards final decision to purchase the recommended policies and help establish long-term resilience for HavenWood Interiors.

Discussion Questions:

1. How can the proposed insurance policies serve as both a risk mitigation strategy and a financial planning tool for HavenWood Interiors? In your response, consider the nature of the risks the company has recently faced (e.g., theft, injury, natural disasters) and how the cost of insurance (including premiums and deductibles) compares to the potential financial impact of those risks if left unmanaged.
2. Which areas of HavenWoods operationsproduction, retail, logistics, or personnelare most vulnerable to risk, and how can specific types of insurance policies address those vulnerabilities? Provide examples of how Property & Casualty Insurance or Life & Health Insurance could be applied to mitigate risks in these different areas of the business.
3. Why is it important for HavenWood to understand key contract terms such as premium, deductible, policy limit, exclusion, and indemnity when selecting insurance policies? Explain how misunderstanding or overlooking these terms could affect the companys ability to recover from a major loss or disruption.

[Your post must be substantive and demonstrate insight gained from the course material. Postings must be in the student’s own words – do not provide quotes!]

[Your initial post should be at least 450+ words and in APA format (including Times New Roman with font size 12 and double spaced). Post the actual body of your paper in the discussion thread then attach a Word version of the paper for APA review]

Assigned Reading (s):
Chapter 7: Project Risk Identification Tools
Chapter 8: Project Risk Analysis and Identification
Overview:
This weeks material delves deeper into the risk management process and examines best practices in risk identification. Risk identification occurs during the Planning process group and must be done iteratively throughout the project. Additionally, risk identification should not be done in a vacuum and should include input from subject matter experts, the project team, and stakeholders. Tools such as brainstorming, mind mapping, and the Delphi technique are examples of tools commonly used in risk identification. The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a project management tool that allows the project manager and project team to take note of all of the activities involved in the project. The WBS paves the way for the development of the project schedule, allowing the project manager the opportunity to then identify possible scheduling risks. Outputs of the Risk Identification process include the risk register, which categorizes risks by category and severity, and the risk report, which is used to keep stakeholders informed of possible risks.
Once risks have been identified, they can then be evaluated and assessed. Risk assessment is also part of the Planning process group. Qualitative risk analysis involves assessing the probability and impact of identified risks. Probability and impact are rated on a numeric scale (for example 1-10). The probability score for each risk is then multiplied by its impact score to determine the risk score. It is important to note that qualitative risk analysis can be subjective in the sense that while one person may rate a risk at a five for impact, another person may consider it to be a seven. Quantitative risk analysis is used to mathematically assess risks and often includes statistical analysis or historical data. Examples of quantitative risk analysis include tornado diagramming and decision tree analysis. Simulation tools, such as Monte Carlo analysis are also used quantitatively assess risks. While quantitative risk analysis offers more precise analysis than qualitative assessment, it can be difficult for the average person to perform, and the quality of the assessment is only as good as the quality of the data input. Using tools such as risk mapping and the Risk Breakdown Structure (RBS), the Project Manager can rank risks to determine which risks need the greatest attention. Organizations that properly plan for risks typically have a greater capacity for risk.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this unit of instruction, the student should be able to:
Create a list of tools and methodologies used for risk identification.
Discuss the methodology of grading risk and the separation of those which should be controlled and those which are not worth the effort.
Explain the concept of risk evaluation.
What are the major variables we use in the judgement of a risk and the determination of the remediation process.
Supplementary Readings:
Using decision models in the real world
Qualitative risk assessment
Insuring the project
Risk management at the portfolio level–what we can learn from insurance companies
What Is Property and Casualty Insurance? A Guide
Project risk analysis
Collaborative tools and techniques to build the project risk plan
Tools and techniques for risk management

Review and reflect on the knowledge you have gained from this course. Based on your review and reflection, write at least 400600 words on the following:

• What were the most compelling topics learned in this course?
• How did participating in discussions help your understanding of the subject matter? Is anything still unclear that could be clarified?
• What approaches could have yielded additional valuable information?

Responses to Other Students: Respond to at least 2 of your fellow classmates with at least a 100200-word reply about their Primary Task Response regarding items you found to be compelling and enlightening. To help you with your discussion, please consider the following questions:

• What did you learn from your classmate’s posting?
• What additional questions do you have after reading the posting?
• What clarification do you need regarding the posting?
• What differences or similarities do you see between your posting and other classmates’ postings?

1st assignment for action research class

One of the most important things you can do as an appreciative inquiry, action research (AI/AR) practitioner is to transfer your skills into an organization. Accomplishing this helps to ensure that the organization can continue the work begun during your engagement. Address the following:

What are the 5 skills, concepts, and procedures that you feel are most important when addressing organizational issues? Discuss each element

2nd assignment for dissertation process class

For this assignment, reflect upon the following questions in your Primary Post:

My degree is in Doctor of Management and my concentration is in Executive Leadership my dissertation is about Balancing Economic Recovery and Sustainability

• In your degree field and concentration area, what are some examples of practice or professional practice that will be addressed through your research study?
• What do you understand to be some of the unique characteristics of your practitioner doctorate?
• How would you describe someone who embodies the characteristics of the scholar-practitioner?
• What thoughts do you have at this time about your journey from doctoral learner to scholar-practitioner? What will you need to be successful for your future dissertation research?

Cookie Business

This project measures your mastery of ULOs 2.1, 3.5, and 3.6.

Assignment Objective: In this project, you will be opening your own specialty cookie company to see how product costing methods and changes in production affect business decisions. You will be creating a series of reports and analyzing the results using the template provided to guide you through the project. You will:

1. Gain an understanding of product costing (direct materials, direct labor, and overhead).
2. Review job order costing.
3. Review process costing.
4. Make business decisions based on analyzing accounting data.

Length: You will prepare a three- to four-page written report (including spreadsheets) using the .

References: At least two peer-reviewed sources are required. Resources used are required to be scholarly/academic in nature and found in the CSU Library. APA Style is required for citations and references.

Details: First, start the paper with an introduction section per the assignment template provided above.

Part 1: Establish a cookie business selling only one type of specialty cookie with two employees making the cookies.

• Create a name and establish a location for the business.
• Construct a mission statement for the business.
• Decide on the type of cookie you want to make and sell.

Part 2: Develop costing and sales information for 1,000 cookies (this is the first and only order).

• Estimate and explain the cost per cookie based on job order costing (manufacturing overhead is 30% of direct labor costs). Prepare a job order cost sheet by researching and identifying the top five ingredients and their estimated costs as your direct materials. Research and identify the cost of wages for your two employees as your direct labor. It typically takes two days to make 1,000 cookies.
• For process costing, examine the costs per 1,000 cookies looking at these top three processes (departments): Mixing, Add-ins, Packaging.
• The Mixing Department will be examined in depth (only do this department).
• All materials will be added in at the beginning of the process.
• The cookies will be in the Mixing Department for a total of 8 hours (use two employees, 4 hours each as your direct labor). The cookies will be 100% complete with respect to materials, and only be 40% complete with respect to conversion costs (labor and overhead) before they are transferred to the Add-ins Department. Manufacturing overhead is 30% of direct labor costs.
• Estimate and explain the sales price you plan to set per cookie based on the cost data.

Part 3: Define job order and process costing. Then, compare and contrast the costing methods used in this project (job order vs. process costing), including which you believe provides the most useful information as a manager.

Part 4: Discuss what will happen to revenue if the number of the cookies sold increases or decreases.

End this paper with the key observations and present any future recommendations.

Use the for your job order, and process costing spreadsheets to be embedded in your case study document.

Submission: Save the submission as a Word document and upload the document to Blackboard.

Grading: The assignment will be reviewed in alignment with the grading rubric criteria. The assignment is worth 15% of your course grade.

RESOURCES

The following resource(s) may help you with this assignment.

Requirements: requirement length | .doc file

discussion post with references

Required Textbook:

Essentials of Corporate Finance Author: Ross, Westerfield & Jordon Evergreen Release

BNDL Essentials of Corporate Finance w/ Connect Publisher: McGraw Hill

ISBN# 9781264786169

1. WACC

What role does the cost of capital play in the overall financial decision making of a firms top managers?

2. DEBT VS EQUITY

Why do you think debt offerings are more common than equity offerings and typically much larger as well?

essay word doc

(Answer all questions; submit as a single, well-organized, properly formatted essay, including multiple APA references and citations)

Robertson Real Estate Recapitalization

Founded 25 years ago by CEO Steve Robertson, Robertson Real Estate (RRE) purchases commercial real estate (land and buildings), rents both to tenants. The company has shown consistent annual profits over the past 18 years, and shareholders have been pleased with the company’s management. Before he started RRE, Steve was also the founder and CEO of a now bankrupt Ostrich farm. This previous bankruptcy has made him extremely reluctant to undertake any type of debt financing, and he has financed the real estate company 100% with equity. Robertson Real Estate stock currently trades at $37.80 per share and has 8 million shares of common stock outstanding.

The company has been reviewing an opportunity to purchase a large segment of land in the southeastern United States for $85 million and plans to lease this property to one or more farming operations. The land purchase is expected to increase RRE’s annual pretax earnings by $14.125 million in perpetuity. Raylynne Givins, the company’s new CFO, determined the company’s current cost of capital is 10.2%. She feels the company would be more valuable if it added some debt to its capital structure, so she is evaluating whether the company should issue debt to fully finance the project.

Based on conversations with several investment banks, Raylynne believes RRE can issue bonds at par value with a 6% coupon rate. Her analysis suggests a capital structure using 70% equity / 30% debt would be optimal. If the company’s debt structure exceeds 30%, RRE’s bond rating would be lower and require a significantly higher coupon due to the increased exposure to financial distress and the associated higher financing costs. RRE has a combined state and federal corporate tax rate of 23%.

Questions:

• If RRE seeks to maximize total market value, should the company issue debt or equity to finance the land purchase? Explain.
• Suppose RRE decides to issue equity to finance the purchase.

1. What is the net present value (NPV) of the project?
2. Construct RRE’s market value balance sheet after it announces the firm will finance the purchase using equity.

• What would be the new price per share of the firm’s stock?
• How many shares will RRE need to issue to finance the purchase?
• Construct RRE’s market value balance sheet after the equity issue but before the purchase has been made.
• How many shares of common stock does RRE have outstanding?
• What is the price per share of the firm’s stock?
• Suppose RRE decides to issue debt to finance the purchase.

1. What will be the market value of RRE if the purchase if financed with debt?
2. Construct RRE’s market value balance sheet after both the debt issue and the land purchase. What is the price per share of the firm’s stock?

• Which method of financing maximizes the per-share stock price of RRE’s equity?

Strategic communication is an essential component of being an effective leader, especially when the business is going through a major change. One aspect of the position may be to alleviate concerns of various stakeholders.

Respond to the following in a minimum of 175 words:

• What are 2 ways a leader can alleviate concerns from various stakeholders at the beginning of a major change, before implementation? How do these ways vary from alleviating concerns after implementation?
• How do messages to different stakeholder groups differ? Why do some leaders find it necessary to change their message?

Assessment 1: Individual GRADED Q&A DISCUSSION (35%)

Welcome to the first graded assessment for MGMT3031 Business Strategy & Policy. This graded discussion forum provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of strategic management concepts, apply theory to a practical case scenario, and earn up to 35% of your final course grade.

Task 1: Your Discussion Questions

CASE STUDY: Strategic Stability in a Niche-Dominated Market

In St. Lucia, Heritage Logistics Services (HLS) is a medium-sized firm that has operated successfully for over fifteen years in a specialised logistics and transportation niche. The company focuses exclusively on secure transport and equipment handling for government agencies and regulated organisations.

Unlike many competitors, HLS has deliberately chosen not to expand its service offerings, instead refining internal processes, strengthening operational controls, and maintaining close relationships with a small number of high-value clients. This focused strategy has resulted in stable revenues, low staff turnover, and strong operational efficiency.

However, recent changes in the external business environment have raised concerns among senior management, including:

Increased regulatory requirements affecting transportation and security services

Technological changes influencing logistics tracking and reporting

Heightened expectations from government clients for transparency and accountability

Internally, HLS operates using a highly centralised functional structure, with most strategic decisions made by senior management. While this structure has ensured control and consistency, some managers believe it may limit organisational flexibility as environmental uncertainty increases.

You have been appointed as a Strategic Management Advisor and are required to assess the firms strategic position using ONLY concepts covered in Units 13 of the course.

Discussion Questions

1.Identify and discuss the MOST appropriate type of strategy currently being followed by Heritage Logistics Services. In your response:

-Clearly identify and define the strategy type

-Explain how this strategy is reflected in the firms long-term behaviour

-Use specific examples from the case study to support your discussion

2.a. Identify the MOST appropriate organizational structure for Heritage Logistics Services given its current operating environment.

b. Identify ONE (1) limitation of this structure and propose ONE (1) strategy to mitigate this limitation

3.Using ONE (1) external environmental assessment tool, analyze the key opportunities and threats facing Heritage Logistics Services in the St. Lucian context.

Your response should clearly explain how the selected tool helps managers understand and respond to external environmental forces.

Instructions for Your Submission

Your total response to all three questions must NOT exceed 800 words (references excluded).

Your response must be posted directly in the provided discussion forum.

Attachments are NOT permitted.

You must reply to the initial discussion topic posted by your Course Instructor, Mrs. Sheralin Monrose-Gustave, to submit your work.

APA 7 citations and references are mandatory.

Use Standard English, with correct grammar and spelling throughout your response.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage Guidelines

This assessment follows AI Usage Level 2 Planning

Students MAY use AI tools to:

Brainstorm ideas and clarify concepts from Units 13

Improve grammar, sentence structure, and clarity of expression

Students MUST NOT use AI tools to:

Generate full answers or analytical paragraphs

Produce case analysis or application of theory on their behalf

All submissions will be reviewed for AI usage. Excessive AI-generated content may result in academic penalties.

Instructions for Turnitin Submission Graded Discussion

Before posting your final initial response to the graded discussion forum, you are required to submit it to Turnitin for plagiarism and AI detection review.

Submit only your final initial response to Turnitin (do not include peer replies).

You are allowed a maximum of three (3) submissions to Turnitin.

Submit early to allow time for revisions if required.

Only post to the discussion forum after completing the Turnitin review process.

Aim for a Similarity Index of 25% or less.

SI scores above 25% will be flagged and may attract penalties.

Failure to submit your initial response to Turnitin will result in an automatic penalty.

Task 2: Engage with Your Peers

Respond meaningfully (200300 words each) to two (2) peers.

Use the Reply link under each peers post.

Peer responses should extend discussion, provide insight, or respectfully challenge ideas.

Please note

This is a Q&A discussion forum. You must submit your response before viewing others posts.

Peer responses may take up to 30 minutes to become visible.

Avoid last-minute submissions.

Be analytical, creative, and professional.

Assessment 1: Individual Graded Q&A Discussion Student Rubric (35%)

Dimension	Criteria for Full Marks	Max Marks
1. Strategy Type Identification & Application	– Clearly identifies and correctly defines the MOST appropriate strategy type currently being followed by Heritage Logistics Services (HLS), using concepts – Clearly explains how this strategy is reflected in the firms long-term behaviour, decision-making, and market positioning. – Uses specific and accurate examples from the case study to justify the strategy choice. – Demonstrates a clear understanding of strategic stability and niche-focused strategies in the context of HLS.	10 marks
2. Organizational Structure Analysis	– Correctly identifies the MOST appropriate organizational structure for HLS given its size, operating environment, and strategic orientation. – Clearly explains why this structure is suitable using relevant organizational theory. – Identifies one (1) clear limitation of the chosen structure. – Proposes one (1) realistic and well-reasoned strategy to mitigate the identified limitation, aligned with the firms context.	6 marks
3. External Environmental Assessment Tool Application	– Selects one (1) appropriate external environmental analysis tool). – Correctly explains how the tool works. – Clearly identifies and explains key opportunities and threats facing HLS using the selected tool. – Demonstrates clear application of the tool to the St. Lucian business and regulatory context, rather than generic analysis.	10 marks
4. Peer Engagement and Contribution	– Provides meaningful, analytical responses to at least two (2) peers (200300 words each). – Responses extend the discussion by adding insight, examples, or constructive critique. – Demonstrates engagement with peers ideas rather than repeating content. – Maintains a professional and respectful academic tone throughout.	10 marks
5. Spelling, Grammar, and Clarity	– Writing is clear, coherent, and professional. – No significant errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, or sentence structure. – Ideas are logically organised and easy to follow within the 800-word limit.	4 marks
6. Citation and Referencing (APA 7)	– Uses reputable academic sources to support analysis. – All in-text citations are correctly formatted in APA 7 style. – All references are listed correctly at the end of the post. – Ideas from sources are paraphrased in the students own words, with no evidence of plagiarism or over-reliance on AI-generated text.	10 marks