MBA Group and individual CAPSIM Reports (Spring 2012)
The report should be succinct (about 8 pages for teams, about 5 pages for individuals) and needs
to include a situation analysis, an outline of your strategy, and a discussion of how effective was
it in helping you compete against the other CAPSIM companies.
A. Define your mission
B. Situation analysis. Basically you are preparing an analysis of Opportunities and Threats of
the CAPSIM industry (see Get Started in CAPSIM).
C. Conduct a V.R.I. (O) analysis of your company in comparison with the other teams. You
should discuss how your strategy helps you to win (or not) and temporary/sustainable
competitive advantage.
D. Strategy outline. Considering your SWOT analysis define the strategy which you think will
help you to win competitive advantage and succeed (for inspiration check textbook and
CAPSIM’s guides).
Follow Munter’s book as reference for the formatting of the report (there is a summary ppt in the
course website) and the textbook as reference for the relevant topics. Following is a
“SUGGESTIONAL” listing of topics. Do remember that you are not expected to address the
topics mentioned bellow as in an exam. Instead a crucial part of this report is to develop a
structure that works, that means a structure that communicates a persuasive message to the board
of directors (your audience). In this context persuasive means that the writer appears as
informed and credible and the message the writer is trying to communicate to its audience is well
substantiated.

The team report will do so for the group practice rounds.

The individual report will do so for the competition individual rounds.
Grading rubric
1.
Opening paragraph
a. Presents issue(s) and choice point(s) motivating the analysis, for example (what follows is not a
recipe): a brief statement of what strategy you followed and how it has helped you define what you
will during the competition rounds
b. Lists briefly the primary reasons for your choice.
c. Provides a useful roadmap (outline) for reading the report, not just a vague list
POINTS
Very vague and/or
wrong topic
2.5
2.
Clear and
incisive
7.5
10
Very incomplete and
vague
Incomplete
Complete but
vague and unclear
Clear and
incisive
7.5
15
22.5
30
Conclusion reiterates in a way that enhances the memo’s persuasiveness and reader’s confidence on the
recommendation
a. It re-states your first statement at the light of what you have discussed. It gives a glimpse of the
strategic options this analysis implies. prioritizes recommended actions
b. It states recommended first steps.
POINTS
Very vague and/or
wrong topic
2.5
4.
5
Complete but
unclear
Body of the report it addresses a sufficient number of the topics stated in the assignment in a way that makes
sense (connects with the introduction and provides enough and convincing arguments to support the issue
motivating the analysis stated in the introduction). It uses information from the courier, student’s guide, and/ or
manager’s guide. It analyzes the information selected with a critical eye. It must, of course, follow the
roadmap or outline provided in the introduction.
POINTS
3.
Incomplete
Incomplete
5
Complete but
unclear
7.5
Clear and
incisive
10
Document Design (follows Munter’s guide)
a. Use of stand-alone nutshell idea headings. Example of WRONG heading: External analysis. RIGHT
heading Rivalry in the sensors market is likely to be high. What is the difference? The first is
descriptive and gives no information. The second one provides information derived from the external
analysis. Of course, this information needs to be discussed in the paragraphs under this heading.
b. Use of white space, indentations, bullets, etc.
POINTS
Does not follow
guidelines
2.5
Follows guidelines
partially
8
OK
Great design
14
20
Failing grade
D – C range
B range
0 to 20
21 to 45
46 to 60
A range
TOTALS
61 and up