10.3 Implementing Strategy (AQA A Level Business): Flashcards
Exam code: 7132
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Define strategic implementation.
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Define strategic implementation.
Strategic implementation is the process of putting strategic plans into effect — turning objectives into day-to-day operations.
What two key factors does effective implementation depend on?
Strong leadership and clear communication.
Name two roles leaders play in implementation.
Vision setting and decision-making (also change management, empowering others and role modelling).
Give one risk of weak leadership in implementation.
Confusion over priorities (also low engagement/resistance, missed deadlines and wasted resources).
Why is communication important in strategic implementation?
It clarifies goals, motivates staff, reduces resistance and coordinates actions across departments.
Name two key elements of strategic communication.
Clarity and consistency (also timeliness, two-way communication and channel selection).
Why is two-way communication valuable in implementation?
It allows feedback, questions and suggestions to be heard and addressed.
Give one internal communication tool for implementing strategy.
Team meetings (also internal email, intranet/portals, workshops and 1-to-1 reviews).
Why does organisational structure matter for implementation?
It provides clear roles/responsibilities, efficient communication and decisions, and better coordination and control.
What does vision setting involve for a leader?
Articulating a clear, inspiring vision that aligns with the business's strategic aims.
Even the best strategy can fail without strong leadership and clear .
Even the best strategy can fail without strong leadership and clear communication.
True or False?
Strategic implementation is simply about choosing the right strategy.
False.
It is about turning the chosen strategy into action — day-to-day operations that deliver results.
True or False?
A flat organisational structure can speed up decision-making during implementation.
True.
Fewer management layers allow faster decisions and clearer communication — as seen at Aldi.
Define network analysis.
Network analysis is a project management tool for planning complex, time-sensitive strategies.
Give two things network analysis shows.
The order of activities and the shortest time to complete the project (also EST/LFT, critical activities and float).
Give one limitation of network analysis.
Complex projects need specialist software; it relies on estimates/forecasts and doesn't guarantee success.
Define a node (network diagram).
A node is a circle representing a point in time where an activity starts or finishes.
What three sections is a node split into?
The activity number (left), the earliest start time (top right) and the latest finish time (bottom right).
What is the earliest start time (EST)?
The earliest an activity can begin, based on completion of the previous activity.
How do you calculate earliest start times (ESTs)?
Work forwards from Node 1, adding each activity's duration.
How do you calculate latest finish times (LFTs)?
Work backwards from the final node, subtracting each activity's duration.
A node can be reached by paths giving 14 and 15. Which EST is recorded?
15 — the highest value, so all preceding activities can be completed first.
Define the critical path.
The critical path is the activities that determine the length of the whole project — if any is delayed, the project is delayed.
How do you identify the critical path on a diagram?
Follow the nodes where the EST and LFT are equal (float = 0).
Define float time.
Float time is the spare time available for an activity without delaying overall project completion.
State the formula for total float.
Total float = LFT − duration − EST.
An activity has LFT 11, duration 4, EST 6. Calculate its total float.
11 − 4 − 6 = 1 week.
What is the total float of activities on the critical path?
Zero — there is no spare time on critical activities.
What can happen to the critical path if a non-critical activity's duration increases enough?
The critical path can switch — e.g. from BEH to ADG when activity G's duration rises.
The critical path follows the nodes where the EST and LFT are .
The critical path follows the nodes where the EST and LFT are equal.
True or False?
Activities on the critical path have a float of zero.
True.
Critical activities have no spare time — any delay to them delays the whole project.
True or False?
If a critical activity is delayed, only that activity is affected, not the whole project.
False.
A delay to a critical activity delays the whole project.
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