ACCA - P3 Business Analysis: Study Text

The detailed syllabus includes: the strategic position - the need for, and purpose of, strategic and business analysis; environmental issues affecting the strategic position of an organization; competitive forces affecting an organization; marketing and the value of goods and services; the internal resources, capabilities and competences of an organization; and, the expectations of stakeholders and the influence of ethics and culture. Strategic choices include: the influence of corporate strategy on an organization; alternative approaches to achieving competitive advantage; and, alternative directions and methods of development. Strategic action involves: organizing and enabling success; managing strategic change; and, understanding strategy development. Business process change includes: the role of process and process change initiatives; improving the processes of the organization; and, software solutions. Information technology includes: principles of e-business; e-business application: upstream supply chain management; e-business application: downstream supply chain management; and, e-business application: customer relationship management. Quality issues include: quality control, quality assurance, and quality management systems; quality in the information systems development lifecycle; and, quality initiatives: six-sigma. Project management involves: identifying and initiating projects; managing and leading projects; and, monitoring, controlling and concluding projects. Financial analysis involves: the link between strategy and finance; finance decisions to formulate and support business strategy; and, financial implications of making strategic choices and of implementing strategic actions. People: strategy and people: leadership; strategy and people: performance management; strategy and people: reward management; strategy and people: job design; and, strategy and people: staff development.