Skip to main content
nounstudy
BUS429

Corporate Planning

This course introduces corporate planning, covering essential tools and techniques for organizational efficiency. Students will explore planning functions, the necessity for planning, and problem-solving strategies. Topics include capital budgeting, new product launches, and acquisitions. The course also examines the corporate planner's role as a staff specialist, their relationship with line managers, and practical planning challenges through case studies.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
120 hours
Maths
Basic
Content
Theoretical, case study
Practical work
Yes
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor Marked Assessments
  • Final Examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

BUS429 · UNIT 1 OVERVIEW OF MANAGEMENT AS SCIENCE, THEORY AND PRACTICE

In this unit, we shall discuss the nature of management and its importance in any organisation. We shall also discuss manage-rial skills and the organisational hierarchy as well as consider management from the perspective of a science or an art. The roles of managers, systems approach to management as well the basic functions of management will be considered.

What you should be able to do

  1. Explain the relationship between planning and organizational performance
  2. Define corporate planning and strategic planning
  3. Apply decision-making tools and techniques
  4. Analyze environmental factors affecting organizations
  5. Develop effective budgets and financial plans

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Business Analyst
  • Management Consultant
  • Project Manager
  • Financial Analyst
  • Strategic Planner
Where it is applied
  • Consulting
  • Finance
  • Manufacturing
  • Healthcare
  • Government

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 3: Planning Tools and Techniques

    Unit 3: Operational Planning Tools III

    Linear programming requires strong quantitative skills and the ability to formulate complex mathematical models.

  • Module 3: Planning Tools and Techniques

    Unit 2: Operational Planning Tools II

    PERT network analysis involves complex scheduling and coordination of multiple interdependent activities.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 52 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: Planning as a Vital Function of Management
    • Unit 1: Overview of Management as Science, Theory and Practice · 2 hours

      Read Unit 1: Understand the definition and nature of management.. Identify the characteristics of management.. Explore management as a managerial function..

    • Unit 2: Planning as an Important Management Function · 2 hours

      Read Unit 2: Understand the definition of planning and its importance.. Differentiate between planning and forecasting.. Identify the features of planning..

  2. Week 2Module 1: Planning as a Vital Function of Management
    • Unit 3: Corporate Planning, Strategic Planning and Corporate Strategy Compared · 4 hours

      Read Unit 3: Compare corporate planning, strategic planning, and corporate strategy.. Understand the core areas of strategy.. Explore the concepts of process, content, and context..

  3. Week 3Module 1: Planning as a Vital Function of Management
    • Unit 4: Objectives: The Foundation of Planning · 4 hours

      Read Unit 4: Understand objectives as the foundation of planning.. Explore the nature of objectives.. Differentiate between real and stated objectives..

  4. Week 4Module 1: Planning as a Vital Function of Management
    • Unit 5: Classification of Planning · 4 hours

      Read Unit 5: Understand the classification of planning.. List the features of plans.. Explore the purposes of planning..

  5. Week 5Module 1: Planning as a Vital Function of Management
    • Unit 6: Steps in Planning · 4 hours

      Read Unit 6: Understand the steps in planning.. Explore the relationship between planning and controlling.. Discuss planning and performance..

  6. Week 6Module 2: Essentials of Planning and Managing by Objectives
    • Unit 1: Decision Making I · 4 hours

      Read Unit 1: Understand decision making as a concept.. Explore the decision-making process.. Understand the manager as a decision maker..

  7. Week 7Module 2: Essentials of Planning and Managing by Objectives
    • Unit 2: Decision Making II · 4 hours

      Read Unit 2: Understand types of problems and decisions.. Explore decision-making conditions.. Understand decision-making styles..

  8. Week 8Module 2: Essentials of Planning and Managing by Objectives
    • Unit 3: Management by Objectives · 4 hours

      Read Unit 3: Understand the concept of MBO.. Explore evolving concepts in management by objectives.. Understand benefits and weaknesses of management by objectives..

  9. Week 9Module 2: Essentials of Planning and Managing by Objectives
    • Unit 4: Premising and Forecasting · 4 hours

      Read Unit 4: Understand the concepts of forecasting and premising.. Differentiate between forecasting and premising.. Explore environmental forecasting..

  10. Week 10Module 2: Essentials of Planning and Managing by Objectives
    • Unit 6: The Role of Corporate Planners in an Organisation · 4 hours

      Read Unit 5: Understand the role of a corporate planner.. Explore the functions of a corporate planner.. Understand the role of marketing planning in the context of corporate planning..

  11. Week 11Module 3: Planning Tools and Techniques
    • Unit 1: Operational Planning Tools I – Budget · 4 hours

      Read Unit 1: Understand operational planning tools.. Explore the advantages and disadvantages of budgeting.. Understand the importance of budgets..

  12. Week 12Module 3: Planning Tools and Techniques
    • Unit 2: Operational Planning Tools II · 4 hours

      Read Unit 2: Understand operational planning tools.. Explore scheduling, Gantt charts, load charts, and PERT network analysis..

  13. Week 13Module 3: Planning Tools and Techniques
    • Unit 3: Operational Planning Tools III · 4 hours

      Read Unit 3: Understand operational planning tools.. Explore breakeven analysis, linear programming, queuing theory, and probability theory..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create summaries of key concepts from each unit
  • Practice applying planning tools to case studies
  • Review definitions of strategic terms
  • Focus on understanding the planning process
  • Practice time management during mock exams

Questions students ask about this course

What is BUS429 about?

This course introduces corporate planning, covering essential tools and techniques for organizational efficiency. Students will explore planning functions, the necessity for planning, and problem-solving strategies. Topics include capital budgeting, new product launches, and acquisitions. The course also examines the corporate planner's role as a staff specialist, their relationship with line managers, and practical planning challenges through case studies.

How many units does BUS429 have?

BUS429, Corporate Planning, has 22 units across 4 modules, over 303 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is BUS429?

BUS429 carries 3 credit units, at 400 level in Management Sciences.

Is BUS429 hard?

BUS429 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work, and it has a practical component.

How long does BUS429 take to study?

About 120 hours of study, spread across its 22 units.

How is BUS429 assessed?

BUS429 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.

What can I do with BUS429?

Business Analyst, Management Consultant, Project Manager, Financial Analyst and Strategic Planner.

More courses in Management Sciences

BFN405

Bank Lending And Loan Administration

2 credit units

Open BFN405
CRD407

Project Planning, Management, Monitoring And Evaluation

2 credit units

Open CRD407
ENT407

Entrepreneurship Development

2 credit units

Open ENT407