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Simulation Reflection

This paper is a reflection on three simulations as each relates to strategic planning. The first simulation, “Thinking Strategically,” highlights the importance of environmental scanning. The second simulation, “Developing Grand Strategies,” challenged decisions made for a company which lead to effective strategy formulation and choices. The third simulation, “Creating a Strategic Road Map,” provided a simulated experience of how to build a strategic roadmap focusing on the importance and effectiveness of formulating action plans and goals. This reflective approach will convey the lessons learned relative to the importance and effectiveness of the key learning points obtained through each simulation. The challenges faced by strategic planners will be discussed from the discoveries of lessons learned in the three simulations.
Environmental scanning provides the opportunity for detailed insight for a company’s current position as well as desired position in the industry. Scanning discoveries provide the company with awareness to warnings signs of external conditions facing competitors and the economy. As shown in the simulation, “Thinking Strategically,” environmental scanning encourages a company to evaluate and promote an appropriate vision and an improved sense of direction for all stakeholders. The information gathered in an environmental scan, also provides the company with future trends data. This discovery information can warn company officials of the rising or declining of trends on the horizon. The simulation used a SWOT analysis as an effective tool of environmental scanning. An analysis of strengths and weaknesses is obtained through internal sources, whereas, opportunities and threats information is obtained externally. All SWOT factors are critical for the company’s successful strategy. Analyses of each including a matched pair analysis are essential in determining the future prospects of the given industry and developing a specific industry niche....