MGT 4337: Business Policy and Decision Making
Decision Log Journal Guidelines and Rubric
Overview
After completing each simulation with your team, you will individually document in a decision log the reasoning behind your company’s strategy
by explaining why you and your co-manager(s) chose to make the decisions and changes that you did in this module’s simulations.
You will submit a journal entry for each simulation (two per module, in Modules 2–6), totalling ten entries. However, individual entries will not be
graded in each module. Instead, the Decision Log Journal will be assessed as a whole after the completion of all the required simulations in
Module 6.
Note: If your company scores poorly in the industry, an exemplary Decision Log may replace your Business Strategy Game Industry Score up to
a maximum of 90%.
Prompt
For each Decision Log Journal Entry, be sure to complete the following:
1. First, for each journal entry, reflect on how you think the decisions for the year went in about one or two paragraphs. Specifically, address
the following:
a. Describe the major changes your company made
b. Explain why your company chose to make the decisions it did
c. Describe the outcomes of the changes or decisions your company made
2. Then download and save a copy of this document for each entry so you can edit the Strategy Decision Tracking Table on page 2 to track
your decisions for each round and explain how each decision fits with your company’s strategy. Be sure to include a detailed description
of the decisions you track and a thorough explanation of how they fit into your overall strategy.
For Example: One bullet point under a given region and market segment might read as follows: “Increased the percentage of superior
materials used to 70%. A differentiation strategy means having higher-quality shoes, so we believed increasing the percentage of
superior materials would be the best route to take.” This example identifies a major decision made during the simulation round and
explains how it fits in this company’s differentiation strategy.
To complete your journal entry for each decision year, you must attach a saved, completed copy of the Strategy Decisions Tracking
Table for that year’s decisions. It is recommended that you keep a personal copy of each year’s saved table under original file names as
a backup.
1
MGT 4337: Business Policy and Decision Making
Strategy Decision Tracking Table
*You must attach a copy of this completed table for each Decision Year Log Entry
Region Wholesale Internet Private Label
North America
Europe-Africa
Asia-Pacific
Latin America
2
MGT 4337: Business Policy and Decision Making
Rubric
Guidelines for Submission: Each journal entry should be about one or two paragraphs in length and include an attached copy of the completed
Strategy Decisions Tracking Table.
Instructor Feedback: This activity uses an integ.
MGT 4337 Business Policy and Decision Making Decisi.docx
1. MGT 4337: Business Policy and Decision Making
Decision Log Journal Guidelines and Rubric
Overview
After completing each simulation with your team, you will
individually document in a decision log the reasoning behind
your company’s strategy
by explaining why you and your co-manager(s) chose to make
the decisions and changes that you did in this module’s
simulations.
You will submit a journal entry for each simulation (two per
module, in Modules 2–6), totalling ten entries. However,
individual entries will not be
graded in each module. Instead, the Decision Log Journal will
be assessed as a whole after the completion of all the required
simulations in
Module 6.
Note: If your company scores poorly in the industry, an
exemplary Decision Log may replace your Business Strategy
Game Industry Score up to
a maximum of 90%.
Prompt
For each Decision Log Journal Entry, be sure to complete the
following:
2. 1. First, for each journal entry, reflect on how you think the
decisions for the year went in about one or two paragraphs.
Specifically, address
the following:
a. Describe the major changes your company made
b. Explain why your company chose to make the decisions it did
c. Describe the outcomes of the changes or decisions your
company made
2. Then download and save a copy of this document for each
entry so you can edit the Strategy Decision Tracking Table on
page 2 to track
your decisions for each round and explain how each decision
fits with your company’s strategy. Be sure to include a detailed
description
of the decisions you track and a thorough explanation of how
they fit into your overall strategy.
For Example: One bullet point under a given region and market
segment might read as follows: “Increased the percentage of
superior
materials used to 70%. A differentiation strategy means having
higher-quality shoes, so we believed increasing the percentage
of
superior materials would be the best route to take.” This
example identifies a major decision made during the simulation
round and
explains how it fits in this company’s differentiation strategy.
To complete your journal entry for each decision year, you must
attach a saved, completed copy of the Strategy Decisions
Tracking
3. Table for that year’s decisions. It is recommended that you keep
a personal copy of each year’s saved table under original file
names as
a backup.
1
MGT 4337: Business Policy and Decision Making
Strategy Decision Tracking Table
*You must attach a copy of this completed table for each
Decision Year Log Entry
Region Wholesale Internet Private Label
North America
Europe-Africa
Asia-Pacific
Latin America
2
MGT 4337: Business Policy and Decision Making
4. Rubric
Guidelines for Submission: Each journal entry should be about
one or two paragraphs in length and include an attached copy of
the completed
Strategy Decisions Tracking Table.
Instructor Feedback: This activity uses an integrated rubric in
Blackboard. Students can view instructor feedback in the Grade
Center.
Critical
Elements
Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%)
Not Evident (0%) Value
%
Decision
Year 11
Demonstrates a sophisticated knowledge of
business policy and decision making through
the explanation of the outcomes of specific
major business changes or decisions, and
through the explanation of how each decision
aligned with company strategies. Submission
is also free of errors related to citations,
grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization
and is presented in a professional and
easy-to-read format.
Clearly identifies major business
changes or decisions, explaining
why each decision was made and
what the outcomes were. Also
5. explains how each decision fits
into the company's strategy.
Submission has no major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization.
Identifies changes or decisions but
may not clearly explain why they
were made, what the outcomes
were, or why each decision fits into
the company's strategy. Submission
may have major errors related to
citations, grammar, spelling, syntax,
or organization that negatively
impact readability and articulation of
main ideas.
Did not submit
journal entry.
10
Decision
Year 12
Demonstrates a sophisticated knowledge of
business policy and decision making through
the explanation of the outcomes of specific
major business changes or decisions, and
through the explanation of how each decision
aligned with company strategies. Submission
is also free of errors related to citations,
grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization
and is presented in a professional and
easy-to-read format.
6. Clearly identifies major business
changes or decisions, explaining
why each decision was made and
what the outcomes were. Also
explains how each decision fits
into the company's strategy.
Submission has no major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization.
Identifies changes or decisions but
may not clearly explain why they
were made, what the outcomes
were, or why each decision fits into
the company's strategy. Submission
may have major errors related to
citations, grammar, spelling, syntax,
or organization that negatively
impact readability and articulation of
main ideas.
Did not submit
journal entry.
10
3
MGT 4337: Business Policy and Decision Making
Decision
Year 13
7. Demonstrates a sophisticated knowledge of
business policy and decision making through
the explanation of the outcomes of specific
major business changes or decisions, and
through the explanation of how each decision
aligned with company strategies. Submission
is also free of errors related to citations,
grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization
and is presented in a professional and
easy-to-read format.
Clearly identifies major business
changes or decisions, explaining
why each decision was made and
what the outcomes were. Also
explains how each decision fits
into the company's strategy.
Submission has no major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization.
Identifies changes or decisions but
may not clearly explain why they
were made, what the outcomes
were, or why each decision fits into
the company's strategy. Submission
may have major errors related to
citations, grammar, spelling, syntax,
or organization that negatively
impact readability and articulation of
main ideas.
Did not submit
journal entry.
8. 10
Decision
Year 14
Demonstrates a sophisticated knowledge of
business policy and decision making through
the explanation of the outcomes of specific
major business changes or decisions, and
through the explanation of how each decision
aligned with company strategies. Submission
is also free of errors related to citations,
grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization
and is presented in a professional and
easy-to-read format.
Clearly identifies major business
changes or decisions, explaining
why each decision was made and
what the outcomes were. Also
explains how each decision fits
into the company's strategy.
Submission has no major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization.
Identifies changes or decisions but
may not clearly explain why they
were made, what the outcomes
were, or why each decision fits into
the company's strategy. Submission
may have major errors related to
citations, grammar, spelling, syntax,
or organization that negatively
impact readability and articulation of
main ideas.
9. Did not submit
journal entry.
10
Decision
Year 15
Demonstrates a sophisticated knowledge of
business policy and decision making through
the explanation of the outcomes of specific
major business changes or decisions, and
through the explanation of how each decision
aligned with company strategies. Submission
is also free of errors related to citations,
grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization
and is presented in a professional and
easy-to-read format.
Clearly identifies major business
changes or decisions, explaining
why each decision was made and
what the outcomes were. Also
explains how each decision fits
into the company's strategy.
Submission has no major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization.
Identifies changes or decisions but
may not clearly explain why they
were made, what the outcomes
were, or why each decision fits into
the company's strategy. Submission
may have major errors related to
10. citations, grammar, spelling, syntax,
or organization that negatively
impact readability and articulation of
main ideas.
Did not submit
journal entry.
10
4
MGT 4337: Business Policy and Decision Making
Decision
Year 16
Demonstrates a sophisticated knowledge of
business policy and decision making through
the explanation of the outcomes of specific
major business changes or decisions, and
through the explanation of how each decision
aligned with company strategies. Submission
is also free of errors related to citations,
grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization
and is presented in a professional and
easy-to-read format.
Clearly identifies major business
changes or decisions, explaining
why each decision was made and
what the outcomes were. Also
11. explains how each decision fits
into the company's strategy.
Submission has no major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization.
Identifies changes or decisions but
may not clearly explain why they
were made, what the outcomes
were, or why each decision fits into
the company's strategy. Submission
may have major errors related to
citations, grammar, spelling, syntax,
or organization that negatively
impact readability and articulation of
main ideas.
Did not submit
journal entry.
10
Decision
Year 17
Demonstrates a sophisticated knowledge of
business policy and decision making through
the explanation of the outcomes of specific
major business changes or decisions, and
through the explanation of how each decision
aligned with company strategies. Submission
is also free of errors related to citations,
grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization
and is presented in a professional and
easy-to-read format.
12. Clearly identifies major business
changes or decisions, explaining
why each decision was made and
what the outcomes were. Also
explains how each decision fits
into the company's strategy.
Submission has no major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization.
Identifies changes or decisions but
may not clearly explain why they
were made, what the outcomes
were, or why each decision fits into
the company's strategy. Submission
may have major errors related to
citations, grammar, spelling, syntax,
or organization that negatively
impact readability and articulation of
main ideas.
Did not submit
journal entry.
10
Decision
Year 18
Demonstrates a sophisticated knowledge of
business policy and decision making through
the explanation of the outcomes of specific
major business changes or decisions, and
through the explanation of how each decision
aligned with company strategies. Submission
is also free of errors related to citations,
13. grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization
and is presented in a professional and
easy-to-read format.
Clearly identifies major business
changes or decisions, explaining
why each decision was made and
what the outcomes were. Also
explains how each decision fits
into the company's strategy.
Submission has no major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization.
Identifies changes or decisions but
may not clearly explain why they
were made, what the outcomes
were, or why each decision fits into
the company's strategy. Submission
may have major errors related to
citations, grammar, spelling, syntax,
or organization that negatively
impact readability and articulation of
main ideas.
Did not submit
journal entry.
10
5
MGT 4337: Business Policy and Decision Making
14. Decision
Year 19
Demonstrates a sophisticated knowledge of
business policy and decision making through
the explanation of the outcomes of specific
major business changes or decisions, and
through the explanation of how each decision
aligned with company strategies. Submission
is also free of errors related to citations,
grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization
and is presented in a professional and
easy-to-read format.
Clearly identifies major business
changes or decisions, explaining
why each decision was made and
what the outcomes were. Also
explains how each decision fits
into the company's strategy.
Submission has no major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization.
Identifies changes or decisions but
may not clearly explain why they
were made, what the outcomes
were, or why each decision fits into
the company's strategy. Submission
may have major errors related to
citations, grammar, spelling, syntax,
or organization that negatively
impact readability and articulation of
main ideas.
15. Did not submit
journal entry.
10
Decision
Year 20
Demonstrates a sophisticated knowledge of
business policy and decision making through
the explanation of the outcomes of specific
major business changes or decisions, and
through the explanation of how each decision
aligned with company strategies. Submission
is also free of errors related to citations,
grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization
and is presented in a professional and
easy-to-read format.
Clearly identifies major business
changes or decisions, explaining
why each decision was made and
what the outcomes were. Also
explains how each decision fits
into the company's strategy.
Submission has no major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization.
Identifies changes or decisions but
may not clearly explain why they
were made, what the outcomes
were, or why each decision fits into
the company's strategy. Submission
may have major errors related to
16. citations, grammar, spelling, syntax,
or organization that negatively
impact readability and articulation of
main ideas.
Did not submit
journal entry.
10
Total
100 %
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Industry 52 DECISION HISTORY — All Years Company L
Workforce Compensation & Training Year 11 Year 12 Year 13
Year 14 Year 15 Year 16 Year 17 Year 18 Year 19 Year 20
Compensation
and Training
of Production
Workers
17. Base Wage (% change)
Incentive Pay ($/pair)
Fringe Benefits ($/year)
Best Practices ($/worker)
Supervisory Staff (ratio of workers to supervisors)
Supervisory Compensation (% change)
NORTH AMERICA FACILITY
+1%
$1.00
$3,000
$600
50 to 1
0%
0%
$1.00
$3,000
$1,000
50 to 1
+1%
0%
$1.00
$3,000
$1,000
50 to 1
18. +1%
+1%
$1.50
$0
$7,500
40 to 1
+1%
+1%
$1.50
$0
$7,500
40 to 1
+1%
Compensation
and Training
of Production
Workers
Base Wage (% change)
Incentive Pay ($/pair)
Fringe Benefits ($/year)
Best Practices ($/worker)
Supervisory Staff (ratio of workers to supervisors)
Supervisory Compensation (% change)
EUROPE-AFRICA FACILITY
22. of Production
Workers
Base Wage (% change)
Incentive Pay ($/pair)
Fringe Benefits ($/year)
Best Practices ($/worker)
Supervisory Staff (ratio of workers to supervisors)
Supervisory Compensation (% change)
LATIN AMERICA FACILITY
0%
$0.00
$0
$0
0 to 1
0%
0%
$0.00
$0
$0
0 to 1
0%
0%
$0.00
$0
$0
23. 50 to 1
0%
+1%
$1.00
$0
$7,500
40 to 1
+1%
+1%
$1.00
$0
$7,500
40 to 1
+1%
Branded Footwear Production Year 11 Year 12 Year 13 Year 14
Year 15 Year 16 Year 17 Year 18 Year 19 Year 20
Branded
Production
Specs
Superior Materials %
Number of Models / Styles
Styling/Features ($000/model)
TQM / 6-Sigma ($/pair)
Anticipated Y15 Materials
Prices ($ per pair)
24. Standard
Superior
Branded Pairs to be Manufactured (000s)
NORTH AMERICA FACILITY
44.00%
200
$10
$1.70
4,733
$6.00
$12.00
60.00%
250
$14
$1.70
5,700
$6.00
$13.28
70.00%
250
$14
$1.80
3,300
$6.67
32. New (000s of pairs)
Refurb (000s of prs)
Sale of Equipment (000s of prs)
Production
Imprvmnt
Options
Option A (reject rate reduction)
Option B (setup cost reduction)
Option C (S/Q rating increase)
Option D (productivity increase)
Construction of Additional Space (000s of pairs)
NORTH AMERICA FACILITY
0
0
0
No
No
No
No
0
500
250
0
No
No
No
No
34. Production
Equipment
Purchase of
Equipment
New (000s of pairs)
Refurb (000s of prs)
Sale of Equipment (000s of prs)
Production
Imprvmnt
Options
Option A (reject rate reduction)
Option B (setup cost reduction)
Option C (S/Q rating increase)
Option D (productivity increase)
Construction of Additional Space (000s of pairs)
EUROPE-AFRICA FACILITY
0
0
0
No
No
No
No
0
0
0
36. No
No
No
0
Production
Equipment
Purchase of
Equipment
New (000s of pairs)
Refurb (000s of prs)
Sale of Equipment (000s of prs)
Production
Imprvmnt
Options
Option A (reject rate reduction)
Option B (setup cost reduction)
Option C (S/Q rating increase)
Option D (productivity increase)
Construction of Additional Space (000s of pairs)
ASIA-PACIFIC FACILITY
0
0
0
No
No
No
38. 0
0
0
No
No
No
No
0
Production
Equipment
Purchase of
Equipment
New (000s of pairs)
Refurb (000s of prs)
Sale of Equipment (000s of prs)
Production
Imprvmnt
Options
Option A (reject rate reduction)
Option B (setup cost reduction)
Option C (S/Q rating increase)
Option D (productivity increase)
Construction of Additional Space (000s of pairs)
LATIN AMERICA FACILITY
0
40. No
No
No
No
0
0
0
0
No
No
No
No
0
Branded Distribution Year 11 Year 12 Year 13 Year 14 Year 15
Year 16 Year 17 Year 18 Year 19 Year 20
Pairs Shipped
from Facility
to (000s)
North America Warehouse
Europe-Africa Warehouse
Asia-Paific Warehouse
Latin America Warehouse
NORTH AMERICA FACILITY
2,102
2,300
0
0
45. https://www.bsg-online.com/users/program/v3/decisions/finance
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Industry 52 DECISION HISTORY — All Years Company L
Inventory Clearance Year 11 Year 12 Year 13 Year 14 Year 15
Year 16 Year 17 Year 18 Year 19 Year 20
Percentage of Pairs
Cleared
(from prior-year inventory)
North America
Europe-Africa
Asia-Pacific
Latin America
50%
0%
50%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
50%
100%
50%
50%
100%
25%
50%
25%
46. 0%
0%
0%
0%
Internet Marketing Year 11 Year 12 Year 13 Year 14 Year 15
Year 16 Year 17 Year 18 Year 19 Year 20
Internet
Marketing
Decisions
Retail Price ($ per pair)
Search Engine Ads ($000s)
Free Shipping
Competitive
Assumptions
Retail Price ($ per pair)
Search Engine Ads ($000s)
Free Shipping
NORTH AMERICA MARKET
$78.00
$5,000
Yes
$67.00
$5,000
None
$86.00
$7,250
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Industry 52 DECISION HISTORY — All Years Company L
Wholesale Marketing Year 11 Year 12 Year 13 Year 14 Year 15
Year 16 Year 17 Year 18 Year 19 Year 20
Wholesale
Marketing
Decisions
Wholesale Price ($ per pair)
Brand Advertising ($000s)
Rebate Offer ($ per pair)
Delivery Time (weeks)
Retailer Support ($ per outlet)
Competitive
Assumptions
S/Q Rating
Model Availability
Wholesale Price ($ per pair)
Brand Advertising ($000s)
Rebate Offer ($ per pair)
Delivery Time (weeks)
Retailer Support ($ per outlet)
NORTH AMERICA MARKET
$49.00
66. Year 15 Year 16 Year 17 Year 18 Year 19 Year 20
Private-Label
Specs
Superior Materials %
Number of Models / Styles
Styling/Features ($000/model)
Pairs to be
Produced &
Shipped to
(000s)
North America Warehouse
Europe-Africa Warehouse
Asia-Paific Warehouse
Latin America Warehouse
NORTH AMERICA FACILITY
56.00
6
$5
0
0
0
0
56.00
6
$5
0
0
68. Number of Models / Styles
Styling/Features ($000/model)
Pairs to be
Produced &
Shipped to
(000s)
North America Warehouse
Europe-Africa Warehouse
Asia-Paific Warehouse
Latin America Warehouse
EUROPE-AFRICA FACILITY
0.00
0
$0
0
0
0
0
0.00
0
$0
0
0
0
0
60.00
14
$5
73. 0
500
10.00
0
$4
0
0
0
500
Private-Label Contract Offers Year 11 Year 12 Year 13 Year 14
Year 15 Year 16 Year 17 Year 18 Year 19 Year 20
Pairs Offered for Sale (000s)
Price Offer ($ per pair)
Incorporate Projected Outcomes
NORTH AMERICA MARKET
0
$32.00
No
0
$32.00
No
0
$32.00
75. No
493
$40.00
Yes
Pairs Offered for Sale (000s)
Price Offer ($ per pair)
Incorporate Projected Outcomes
ASIA-PACIFIC MARKET
0
$32.00
No
0
$32.00
No
0
$32.00
No
482
$40.00
No
482
$40.00
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Industry 52 DECISION HISTORY — All Years Company L
Celebrity Endorsements Year 11 Year 12 Year 13 Year 14 Year
15 Year 16 Year 17 Year 18 Year 19 Year 20
Contract Offer
($000s)
Judy Judge
Kimmie Jimmel
Bud Birkenstock
Jose Montana
Samuelle Jackson
Bronko Mars
Steff Caraway
Jay XYZ
Nunchuck Norris
Roger Federation
Nick Shavan
Anderson Blooper
Mic Jagermeister
Jim Hardball
LaBron Game
Flint Westwood
Offer Priority Judy Judge
Kimmie Jimmel
Bud Birkenstock
Jose Montana
Samuelle Jackson
78. Bronko Mars
Steff Caraway
Jay XYZ
Nunchuck Norris
Roger Federation
Nick Shavan
Anderson Blooper
Mic Jagermeister
Jim Hardball
LaBron Game
Flint Westwood
Spending Cap on Contracts ($000s)
$0
$500
$0
$0
$0
$500
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
0
1
0
83. $0
$0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
$0
CSRC Initiatives Year 11 Year 12 Year 13 Year 14 Year 15
Year 16 Year 17 Year 18 Year 19 Year 20
Charitable
Contributions
Total $ (before taxes)
% of Pretax Profit
Improved Working
Conditions
Cafeteris/Child Care
Vent./Lighting/Safety
84. Recycled Boxing/Packaging
Energy Efficiency Initiatives
Ethics Training/Enforcement
Supplier Code of Conduct
No
$100
$0
0%
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
$100
$0
0%
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
$100
$0
0%
Yes
Yes
Yes
