Evaluate the importance of strategic implementation for the success of Options 1 and 2.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [K] strategic implementation is the process that turns strategies into actions to achieve objectives
2. [K] strategic implementation involves producing (a) business plan(s), and/or setting out how corporate culture may need to change, managing that change and preparing contingency/crisis plans
3. [K] business plans have no set layout
4. [K] plans may contain a summary and details of the product and market, plus plans for production, marketing, organisation and finances
5. [APP] product in each option is same
6. [APP] reference to export or selling country X
7. [APP] reference to specific different marketing and production requirements e.g. option 2 requires lower production volumes
8. [APP] consideration of any culture changes that may be needed in each option
9. [APP] consideration of possible different contingencies in each option
10. [APP] consideration of different levels and types of risk for each option
11. [AN] plans enable finance to be obtained, viability of projects/changes, give a sense of direction, assess available resources and review progress
12. [AN] plans take time and resources/research to produce
13. [AN] each option has a different emphasis and strategy. Plans will indicate which is most commercially viable and in what time scale
14. [AN] Plans enable flexibility in dealing with (un)foreseen events
15. [AN] Plans can lead to inflexibility and lack of ability to deal with changing events
16. [EVAL] requires objectives to be set
17. [EVAL] supported conclusion on role of strategic implementation
18. [EVAL] relative importance of constituent sections of strategic implementation
19. [EVAL] necessity of review/updating plans
20. [EVAL] importance of accurate reliable data/information