Instructions
Planning the Future at Galaxy
Purpose:
In the second assignment, within a report, you will create a SWOT analysis, discuss a SWOT analysis and provide a detailed
explanation of what considerations led to the determination of the SWOT components. You will then make recommendations and
explain what factors were considered in making the recommendations.
Note: Not all critical company information is provided, so it is impossible to complete a financial analysis but instead students will
focus on the first elements of the POLC, planning.
Outcome Met by Completing This Assignment:
integrate management theories and principles into management practices
employ effective planning processes to develop strategies, goals, and objectives in order to enhance performance and
sustainability
identify the essential characteristics of decision making and indicate the range and types of decisions a manager makes
Instructions:
Step 1: Preparation for the Assignment
Before you begin writing the report, you will read the following requirements that will help you meet the writing and APA
requirements. Not reading this information will lead to a lower grade:
Review “How to Analyze a Case Study”. You are expected to use the facts from the case scenario focusing on using this
information to determine opportunities and solve problems.
Read the grading rubric for the assignment. Use the grading rubric while writing the report to ensure all requirements are met that
will lead to the highest possible grade.
In writing this assignment, you will read and following these tasks:
Third person writing is required. Third person means that there are no words such as “I, me, my, we, or us” (first person
writing), nor is there use of “you or your” (second person writing). If uncertain how to write in the third person, view this
link: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/firstsecondandthirdperson.
Contractions are not used in business writing, so you are expected NOT to use contraction in writing this assignment.
You are expected to paraphrase and are NOT to use direct quotes. You are expected to paraphrase, which can be learned by
reviewing this link: https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/QPA_paraphrase2.html.
You are responsible for APA only for intext citations and a reference list. If there is a page number, then the page number
must be used, otherwise use the paragraph number.
You are expected to use the facts from the case scenario paired with the weekly courses readings to develop the analysis and
support the reasoning. No more than two (2) external resources can be used in completing the assignment. No book
references are allowed. The expectation is that you provide a robust use of the course readings. If any material is used from
a source document, it must be cited and referenced. A reference within a reference list cannot exist without an associated in
text citation and vice versa. View the sample APA paper and the How to Cite and Reference file located under Week 4
content.
In completing the assignment, students are expected to use the facts from the case scenario and company profile paired with
the weekly courses readings to develop the analysis. View the company profile here: Galaxy Toys, Inc. Company Profile.
Step 2: How to Set Up the Paper
Create a Word or Rich Text Format (RTF) document that is doublespaced, 12point font. The final product will be between 6
8 pages in length excluding the title page and reference page and appendix. You may not exceed eight (8) pages so it is important
to write clearly and concisely.
Use the following format:
Create a title page with title, your name, the course, the instructor’s name and date;
Introduction
SWOT Analysis
Strengths & Weaknesses
Recommendation
Shortterm Production Goals and Objectives
Step 3: Part One: Read critically and analyze the following scenario:
The toy industry is very fickle and innovation is critical. Sales for January 2017 showed only a 3% rise over January 2016 leaving
the company managers concerned about meeting projected sales targets for 2017. In a 30month plan, George Jepson, Jr., as
CEO, together with Edward Mercury, CFO, set longterm goals for the company to include the following:
increase sales unrelated to NASA toys by 22 percent;
reduce companywide costs by 5 percent within 15 months and 11.2 percent by the end of the plan;
create new technology based action toys;
use innovative technology in production to increase efficiency;
reduce carbon footprint by 5 percent.
In November 2016, the long term planning team began to select the newest Galaxy product line. The choice of the right product
design will hopefully stop the slump in sales and jump start growth. Tomorrow, February 4, 2017 is the final meeting of the planning
team. The team will choose between three options:
produce 2 million Payload Nine toys or MMTJE1 for Christmas 2018;
produce 1 million Payload Nine toys for Christmas 2017 and 1 million MMTJE1 for Christmas 2018;
produce 1.5 million MMTJE1 toys for Christmas 2018.
The products have different production requirements. Payload Nine is designed to complement the International NASA Space
Station series. Payload Nine is geared to the 710 age groups and contains building blocks to make the space shuttle with
emphasis on the cargo hold and its loading arm.
Focus group results suggest that Payload Nine will sell well but it is not a “wow” product in the eyes of the group. It is not a
trendsetting toy. The introduction of Payload Nine is estimated to jump NASA sales by 6.8%. Payload Nine requires little change
on the production floor and supplies are easily obtainable. Production could begin May 1, 2017 and completed in time for the
Christmas toy market. No additional personnel would be needed and existing production would not be delayed. Production costs
would fit within the current year’s budget.
The other project “Moon Mission to Jupiter’s Europa” (MMTJE1) is a 3D engineered of the Curiosity vehicle used to. explore
Mars. The toy is operated remotely allowing a child and parent to launch the capsule “Juno 1” craft, 500 ft. in the air, unload the
rover called Galileo and move it along all terrain surfaces. Galileo takes pictures remotely and sends them to a cell phone. The toy
is geared for the age 1115 market but can be used with younger children as long as there is adult supervision. The toy is made
from a 3D printer and consists of a plastic capsule and rover base with electronics added separately in production. [Not sure what
3D printing is, view http://3dprinting.com/whatis3dprinting/]
Focus group results suggest that it is a “wow” product and would also encourage sales of related toys and books as Jupiter’s Moon
Europa has been deemed by scientists as the most accessible and likely place to support habitable life as we know it to be. Children
can view pictures and imagine a Moon currently covered in ice as a new space frontier adventure. An interactive video game is also
envisioned. It will be the first intergalactic action toy that Galaxy Toys has ever produced. MMTJE1 is estimated to bring a 15%
increase in unrelated NASA sales if rolled out in 2017 and 21.6% increase if rolled out in 2018. However, MMTJE1 is not
productionfriendly at this point.
The new production equipment, electronics, computer programming and trained personnel would not see production beginning
before November of 2017. Anticipated budget costs of $450,000 necessitating a budget increase of $300,000 over all five plants
would be needed. In order to meet the October deadline for Christmas 2017 sales additional labor would be needed with a cost
increase of 20% over the projected $450,000 budget costs. In addition, the push would necessitate significant rescheduling of
current production and likely require factory workers to put in overtime. Finally, the rush would be predicated on the assumption that
production problems would not occur.
Keith Wisternick, VP of Production, has the job of aligning all the production teams for Galaxy Toys, and more specifically, he is the
person that ensures that each of the plants are capable of producing toys that meet the quality standards of Galaxy Toys in an
efficient and costeffective manner. Also, part of Keith’s job is to provide valuable input into the longterm planning process of the
company. Every two years, Keith and his counterparts in the other departments meet to determine the new product line for the
upcoming two years. They are presented with new ideas that have been developed by the Design and Engineering Department.
After soliciting input for recommendations on the toys that would most likely meet the company’s future objectives, the Board of
Directors narrowed the choices to Payload Nine and Moon Mission to Jupiter’s Europa 1 (MMTJE1).
As VP of Production, Keith is very aware that his recommendation and vote lends great influence to the outcome. Lucky for Keith,
he is not expected to provide his recommendation without first delegating some researching responsibilities to others. One person
that he relies upon for research and analysis is Itza Yu who is a Production Manager. Yu has been tasked with creating a SWOT
analysis for Keith’s review. However, Yu has not had any prior experience with creating this type of information. Keith has provided
the following source to help him:
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_05.htm
Step 4: Create the introductory paragraph. Within this paragraph, provide a brief overview of the scenario. Then, provide a thesis
statement and tell the reader the main topics covered in the paper. The introductory paragraph is the first paragraph of the paper
but is typically written after writing the body of the paper (Questions students responded to above). View this website to learn how
to write an introductory paragraph: http://www.writing.ucsb.edu/faculty/donelan/intro.html
Step 5: SWOT Analysis
Assume the role of Itza Yu. Using the facts that have been provided in the case scenario and the Company Profile as well as your
own research on the toy industry, create a SWOT analysis table for Keith. If you need to know how to create a table, view: How to
Insert a Table in a Microsoft Word Document.
Important note: To be clear, the SWOT analysis must be focused on the company as a whole and must not be transformed into a method of
evaluating the pros and cons of the Payload Nine or the MMTJE1. This analysis (the pros and cons) will be included later in your analysis.
Step 6: Strengths & Weaknesses
Task 1: To assist further Keith, Itza Yu must also provide a detailed explanation as to what considerations led to the determination
that certain facts should be classified as “strengths” while others were classified as “weaknesses.” In other words, it’s not enough to
list various strengths and weaknesses, but instead, Itza Yu must explain “why” these facts were included in the analysis.
Step 7: Recommendation
Lastly, Itza Yu must recommend the best longterm planning decision for Keith's approval. In this report, Yu must explain the
analysis and factors used in evaluating the vision, mission, longterm goals and SWOT analysis of the company that led to the
conclusions that formed the basis of the decision. Here is where you will make the decision as to which toy(s) will be manufactured
and when they will be produced/sold. Remember that you will use the information contained in your SWOT analysis to identify and
evaluate the pros and cons of the alternatives before selecting the best choice. Remember, what Yu present has to be accurate and
well supported since Keith will make this recommendation to the Longterm Planning Committee.
.
Step 8: Part Two: Short Term Production Goals and Objectives
Read critically and analyze the following scenario:
The Board of Directors has decided to accept the recommendation to roll out the “Moon Mission to Jupiter’s Europa 1” for the
holiday season of 2018. In a virtual meeting, led by Itza Yu, the production managers have had a “brainstorming” session and have
created a list of shortterm goals and objectives.
In reviewing the list, Itza Yu noted that some of the items on the list are sound shortterm goals and objectives while others are not
and therefore, should be removed. He also noted that some of the items do not fit well with the company’s vision and mission and
will need to be eliminated.
Assuming the role of Itza Yu, students must determine whether the items on the list are “goals” or “objectives” and whether they
should be adopted or abandoned. The list is as follows:
Short Term Goals and Objectives List
Production of quality MMTJE1 toys must start February 20th, 2018.
Production of quality MMTJE1 toys must start by July 1, 2018.
Establish timelines for starting production.
Establish timelines for hiring new personnel.
MMTJE1 quality toys production.
Additional personnel must be hired by February 20th 2018.
Materials must be state of the art.
Establish timelines for purchasing (and receiving) materials
3D printers must be purchased by February 20th, 2018.
3D printers must be purchased and installed by November 1, 2018.
The first MMTJE1 toys should be produced by December 1, 2017.
QC should evaluate first toys by December 31, 2017.
Completion dates for QC standards will be determined by QC.
Safety standards should be determined by QC by May 1, 2017.
Materials must be purchased by and delivered by July 1, 2017.
New packages should be palletized by May 1, 2018.
Personnel for all production functions must be organized by March 31, 2017.
Shipping should begin immediately upon final inspection from Quality Control.
Shipping should begin July 1, 2018.
Shipping start dates should be determined.
IT must confirm programming for 3D printers is complete by June 1, 2017.
3D machine operators must be trained by October 31, 2017.
Establish timelines for completion of 3D programming, training and installation.
Maintenance for 3D printers must be done daily.
Personnel must be cross trained on the 3D printers.
Training on new equipment must be done by October 31, 2017.
Marketing will determine shipping start date.
Task 1: Answer the following required elements for Part Two making sure that the facts of the scenario and the course readings
support the reasoning of the answers provided.
From the list above, students should generate a table with three sections. Label the first section, "Appropriate Shortterm Goals."
Label the second section "appropriate objectives". The third section should be those other goals and objectives that have to be
abandoned.
Task 2: Take each item from the list above and place the item into the appropriate column. In completing this task, Yu is expected
to demonstrate an understanding of the difference between “goals” and “objectives” and their choices should reflect this
understanding.
(G) A goal is defined as being a broad aim and spells out what needs to be done generally.
(O) An objective is defined as a specific and measurable action needed to meet the goal.
An abandoned item is one that does not fit with the timeline of the project. Hint look at the pattern of the tasks and dates to
achieve them.
For the goals and objectives that are abandoned, Yu must explain why they were abandoned and how they might be revised to
be more appropriate.
Task 3: Yu will clearly explain the reasoning for the categorization of the goals and objectives as this analysis will be very helpful to
Keith Wisternick and the Board of Directors of Galaxy Toys, Inc.
Step 9: Write the summary paragraph
Write the summary paragraph. A summary paragraph restates the main topics of the paper. Make sure to leave a reader with a
sense that the paper is complete. The summary paragraph is the last paragraph of a paper and does not need a heading.
Step 10: Proofread the report for spelling and grammatical issues, and third person writing.
Use the spell and grammar check in Word as a first measure;
Have someone who has excellent English skills to proof the paper;
Consider submitting the paper to the Effective Writing Center (EWC). The EWC will provide 46 areas that may need
improvement.
Rubric Name: Assignment #2
Criteria
Content: Create SWOT
Analysis
Content: Detailed
Explanation of SWOT
Outstanding
Superior
Good
Substandard
Failure
1.68 points
1.428 points
1.26 points
1.092 points
0 points
Demonstrates an
Demonstrates
Demonstrates
Demonstrates limited
Failed to
exceptional, thorough excellent understanding satisfactory understanding understanding of the
demonstrate
and insightful
of the key concepts,
of the key concepts,
key concepts, principles understanding of
understanding of the key principles and theories principles and theories of and theories of SWOT the key concepts,
concepts, principles and
of SWOT analysis.
SWOT analysis.
analysis.
principles and
theories of SWOT analysis.
theories of SWOT
(1.344 - 1.511)
(1.176 - 1.343)
(0.01 - 1.175)
analysis.
(1.512 - 1.68)
(0)
1.89 points
Demonstrates an
exceptional ability to use
specific case study
information and provide
detailed explanations as
to what considerations led
to the determination that
certain facts should be
classified as strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities
and threats.
(1.701 - 1.89)
1.6065 points
1.4175 points
Demonstrates
Demonstrates
excellent ability to use satisfactory ability to use
specific case study
specific case study
information and provide information and provide
many explanations as to some explanations as to
what considerations led what considerations led to
to the determination
the determination that
that certain facts should certain facts should be
be classified
classified as strengths,
as strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities
weaknesses,
and threats.
opportunities and
(1.323 - 1.511)
threats.
(1.512 - 1.70)
1.2285 points
0 points
Demonstrates
Fails to identify,
limited ability to use
isolate and
specific case study
classify any
information and provide
salient facts
detailed explanations
from the case
as to what
considerations led to study that would,
the determination that
with an
certain facts should be explanation of its
classified as strengths,
relevance,
weaknesses,
determine the
opportunities and
strengths,
threats.
weaknesses,
(0.01 - 1.322)
opportunities and
threats of the
business used in
the case study.
(0)
Use of Resources:
Application to Explain
1.68 points
1.428 points
1.26 points
1.092 points
0 points
Concepts and Skills in
Creating SWOT
Content: Make Decision
for Keith's
Recommendation and
Explain
Content: Goals and
Objectives
Content: Explain
Reasoning for the
Categorization of
Individual Goals and
Objectives/Abandonment
of Others
Demonstrates an
Demonstrates
Demonstrates
exceptional ability to
excellent ability to
satisfactory ability to make
make appropriate and
make appropriate
appropriate connections
powerful connections
connections between
between identified
between identified
identified
issues/problems and the
issues/problems and the issues/problems and the concepts studied in the
concepts studied in the concepts studied in the course readings and case
course readings and case
course readings and
study fact pattern.
study fact pattern.
case study fact pattern.
(1.176 - 1.343)
(1.344 - 1.511)
(1.512 - 1.68)
1.68 points
1.26 points
Makes a decision based Makes a decision based Makes a decision based on
on conclusions drawn conclusions drawn with a
on conclusions drawn
with an excellent
satisfactory analysis and
with an exceptional
analysis and evaluation evaluation of the SWOT,
analysis and evaluation
of the SWOT, vision,
vision, mission and longof the SWOT, vision,
mission and long-term
term goals for the
mission and long-term
goals for the business.
business.
goals for the business.
(1.176 - 1.343)
(1.344 - 1.511)
(1.512 - 1.68)
1.89 points
1.6065 points
1.4175 points
Demonstrates exceptional Demonstrates excellent
Demonstrates
comprehension of the
comprehension of the satisfactory comprehension
difference between goals
difference between
of the difference between
and objectives by creating goals and objectives by
goals and objectives by
three separate lists
creating three separate
creating three separate
and selected choices have
lists and selected
lists and selected choices
no incorrect choices.
choices have no more
have no more than 4than 1-3 incorrect
5 incorrect choices.
(1.701 - 1.89)
choices.
(1.323 - 1.511)
(1.512 - 1.7)
1.68 points
1.428 points
Demonstrates an
exceptional ability to
clearly explain reasoning
for the categorization of
individual goals and
objectives and the
abandonment of others by
making appropriate and
powerful connections
between identified goals
and objectives and the
concepts studied in the
course readings and the
case study fact pattern.
Demonstrates an
excellent ability to
clearly explain
reasoning for the
categorization of
individual goals and
objectives and the
abandonment of others
by making appropriate
connections between
identified goals and
objectives and the
concepts studied in the
course readings and the
case study fact pattern.
(1.512 - 1.68)
Critical
Thinking/Reasoning
1.428 points
4.2 points
(1.344 - 1.511)
3.57 points
1.26 points
Demonstrates
Fails to
limited ability to make demonstrate ability
appropriate connections to use facts and
between identified
course material to
issues/problems and
structure ideas.
the concepts studied in
(0)
the course readings and
case study fact pattern.
(0.01 - 1.175)
1.092 points
0 points
Makes a decision based
on unclear conclusions
and/or minimal analysis
or evaluation of SWOT,
vision, mission, and
long-term goals for the
business.
Fails to make a
decision based on
conclusions drawn
with the analysis
and evaluation of
SWOT, vision,
mission and longterm goals of the
business.
(0.01 - 1.175)
(0)
1.2285 points
0 points
Demonstrates
minimal comprehension
of the difference
between goals and
objectives by either
creating two rather
than three separate lists
and/or selected choices
that reflect 6 or
more incorrect choices.
Lists are not
created or
discussed.
(0)
(0.01 - 1.322)
1.092 points
0 points
Demonstrates satisfactory
Demonstrates
Fails to explain
ability to explain reasoning
limited ability to
reasoning for the
for the categorization of
explain reasoning for
categorization of
individual goals and
the categorization of
individual goals
objectives and the
individual goals and and objectives and
abandonment of others by
objectives and the
the abandonment
making somewhat vague abandonment of others
of others.
connections between
making inappropriate,
(0)
identified goals and
incomplete or little
objectives and limited use
connection between
of the concepts studied in
issues identified and
the course readings and the concepts studied in
the case study fact pattern. the readings and the
case study fact pattern.
(1.176 - 1.343)
(0.01 - 1.175)
3.15 points
2.73 points
0 points
Comments reflect a highly Comments reflect an
Comments reflect an
Comments reflect
Comments reflect
accomplished level of
excellent level of
unsatisfactory level of
an
a satisfactory level of
analysis, synthesis,
analysis, synthesis,
analysis, synthesis,
unsatisfactory level
analysis, synthesis,
evaluation and reasoning
evaluation and
evaluation
of analysis,
evaluation and reasoning
of the case material and
reasoning of the case
and reasoning of the
synthesis,
case study facts resulting material and case study of the case material and case material and case
evaluation
case study facts
in accurate, thorough, and
facts resulting in
study facts, resulting
and reasoning of
soundly reasoned
accurately
resulting in partially
in conclusions that
the case material
conclusions.
reasoned conclusions. correct conclusions that are underdeveloped or
and case study
lack soundly reasoned facts, resulting in
lack
development
or
(3.78 - 4.2)
(3.36 – 3.77 )
conclusions.
failure to draw
(2.52 – 2.93)
detail that demonstrates
insight into reasoning.
(2.52 – 2.93)
(0 – 2.51)
(2.94 – 3.35)
Attention to Instructions
3.15 points
2.677 points
Demonstrates
Demonstrates
exceptional understanding
excellent
of requirements
understanding of
responding completely to
requirements; missed
each aspect of assignment
including minor aspects of one minor aspect of
assignment.
the assignment such as
using third person writing,
(2.52 - 2.834)
required use of course
readings, and assignment
format.
2.362 points
Demonstrates
satisfactory
understanding of
requirements; missed a
key element or two
minor aspects of
assignment.
little to
no conclusions.
2.047 points
0 points
Fails to show a firm
Fails
understanding of
to demonstrate
requirements; missed understanding of
two key elements or
assignment
several minor aspects
requirements.
of assignment.
(0 – 1.88)
(1.89 - 2.204)
(2.205 - 2.51)
(2.835 - 3.15)
Writing Mechanics
2.1 points
1.785 points
1.575 points
Strictly adheres to
Excellently adheres
Satisfactorily adheres
standard usage rules of to standard usage of to standard usage rules
written English,
mechanics:
of mechanics:
including but not limited
conventions of
conventions of English,
to capitalization,
written English,
including capitalization,
punctuation, run-on
including
punctuation, and
sentences, missing or
capitalization,
spelling. Four to 10
extra words, stylistic
punctuation, and
errors found.
errors, spelling and
spelling. One to three
(1.47 – 1.67)
grammatical errors. No
errors found.
errors found. No
(1.68 – 1.88)
contractions or jargon
used.
1.365 points
0 points
Minimally adheres to
standard usage rules
of mechanics:
conventions of
written English,
including
capitalization,
punctuation, and
spelling. More than
10 errors found.
Does not adhere
to standard usage
rules of
mechanics:
conventions of
written English
largely
incomprehensible;
or errors are too
plentiful to count.
(1.26 – 1.46)
(0 – 1.25)
0.6825 points
0 points
(1.89 – 2.1)
APA Style (6th ed.)
1.05 points
No APA style or usage
errors; Proper citation
of source material is
used throughout
paper; Reference titles
follow APA with only the
first word, the first
word after a colon and
proper nouns
capitalized.
0.8925 points
0.7875 points
Attempts in-text
Attempts in-text
citations and
citations and reference
reference list but one lists; APA style errors
or two APA style
are noted throughout
errors noted or fails
document; Fails to use
to use APA citations
APA citations when
when appropriate 1-2 appropriate 3 times in
times.
document.
(0.84 – 0.944)
(0.735 – 0.839)
(0.945 - 1.05)
Overall Score
Outstanding
18.9 or more
Attempts in-text
No attempt at
citations and
APA style; or
reference lists; Fails
attempts
either into use APA citation
when appropriate 4-5 text citations or
reference list but
times; or presents
omits the other.
only 1-2 in-text
citations and
(0 - 0.62)
reference list in a
paper that requires
APA citations
throughout the
document.
(0.63 – 0.734)
Superior
16.8 or more
Good
14.7 or more
Substandard
12.6 or more
Failure
0 or more
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