PJM 6710 Assignment #1
Strategic and Portfolio Analysis for a Case Study Organization
Overview and Rationale
In order to demonstrate proficiency with the content in this course we will complete various
assignments to validate your learning and allow you to implement relevant practices.
Program Level: Related Student Learning Outcomes
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Differentiate the key structural elements of program and portfolio management.
Evaluate the benefits and value managing related projects as a program and seeking to
deliver and measure value through a portfolio framework.
Develop a framework for integrating best practices in program and portfolio
management in an effective manner.
Assignment Instructions and Guidelines
This assignment provides the opportunity to analyze organizational strategy and portfolio
structures. To complete the assignment, do the following:
1. Read the “The Walt Disney Studios” article that's part of the course reading requirements.
2. Conduct your own research about Walt Disney Studios, specifically regarding any
information about the studio’s vison, mission, or strategy. (Hint: there are multiple
websites for both Walt Disney Studios and the Disney parent company.)
Walt Disney Studios is a typical example of a large organization with many goals, initiatives, and
projects. It’s easy to see how a new project or idea could be initiated but not aligned with
organizational strategy if the organization isn’t deliberate and disciplined about how it
organizes and manages projects in a strategic way. In order to complete this assignment,
provide a paper that includes the following:
1. A short Executive Summary introducing Walt Disney Studios and the key points of your
analysis. (Please keep in mind Walt Disney Studios is NOT the same thing as its parent
company, Walt Disney.)
2. Based on your reading and research, how would you describe Walt Disney Studios’ Vision
and Mission? What do their overall goals seem to be?
3. Walt Disney Studios is a large organization with many different sub-elements. Based on the
description and distinctions between portfolios, programs, and projects within this week’s
course materials, if you were going to establish a portfolio structure within the studio,
how would you organize it? (Remember, portfolios are usually grouped around a common
strategic objective, customer, or other major common element.) How does your suggested
portfolio structure help Disney meet its overall goals in a better way than if the company
didn’t have any portfolios?
Be sure to cite any sources using APA format and submit your analysis in either MS Word or pdf
format. Good luck!
The grading rubric (criteria) for this assignment is provided beginning on the next page.
Assignment Rubric:
Category
Above Standard
Meets Standards
Approaching Standards
Below Standards
Not Evident
Assignment
requirements
(70%)
Goes well above the
requirements of the
assignment. Provides
new information,
tools, and/or
techniques.
Goes above the
minimum requirements
of the assignment to
provide additional
insight regarding
answers to assignment
questions.
Meets minimum
assignment requirements:
completes all sections of
the assignment within
assignment guidelines.
Meets some assignment
requirements.
Does not meet the
requirements of the
assignment.
Critical Thinking
(15%)
Professional insights
into depth and
breadth of
assignment - goes
WELL beyond
assignment
requirements to
explore complexity
causes, types and
potential responses.
Comprehensive
explanation of the issue;
exploration of expert
viewpoints and use of
evidence to inform
interpretation and
analysis; thorough
evaluation of the
context (historical,
ethical, cultural,
environmental or
circumstantial settings),
and self and others’
assumptions and
perspectives when
stating a position; wellinformed conclusions
based on methodically
prioritized evidence and
perspectives.
Includes an explanation of
the issue; exploration of
expert viewpoints and use
of evidence to inform
interpretation and
analysis; includes an
evaluation of the context
(historical, ethical, cultural,
environmental or
circumstantial settings),
and self and others’
assumptions and
perspectives when stating
a position; conclusions are
based on methodically
prioritized evidence and
perspectives.
Includes a general
explanation of the issue but
is vague or is not clearly
linked to the identified risks;
includes some exploration of
expert viewpoints and use of
evidence to inform
interpretation and analysis;
includes a general evaluation
of the context (historical,
ethical, cultural,
environmental or
circumstantial settings), and
self and others’ assumptions
and perspectives when
stating a position, but lack
specificity; conclusions are
based on prioritized
evidence and perspectives.
Does not explain the
issue; does not explore
expert viewpoints or use
evidence to inform
interpretation and
analysis; does not
provide an evaluation of
the context (historical,
ethical, cultural,
environmental or
circumstantial settings),
and self and others’
assumptions and
perspectives when
stating a position;
conclusions are not
based on prioritized
evidence and
perspectives.
Category
Above Standard
Meets Standards
Approaching Standards
Below Standards
Not Evident
Communication
(10%) (includes
grammar and
clarity)
Goes well beyond
assignment
requirements to
communicate
information in a
precise, insightful
and professional
manner.
Assignment is well
organized, and the
format can be followed.
It is evident to reader
what is contained in
each section of the
assignment. High quality
grammar. No
misspellings or typos.
Assignment is organized,
and the format can be
followed. It is evident to
reader what is contained
in each section of the
assignment. High quality
grammar. No misspellings
or typos.
Assignment is well
organized, and the format
can be followed. It is evident
to reader what is contained
in each section of the
assignment. Good quality
grammar. Minor misspellings
or typos.
Assignment is not
organized. It is not
evident to reader what
is contained in each
section of assignment.
Low quality grammar,
misspellings, typos.
Formatting (5%)
Virtually no errors in
formatting, citations,
or references.
Rare errors in spelling,
typos formatting,
citations, or references.
Some errors in spelling,
typos formatting, citations,
or references.
Multiple errors in spelling,
typos formatting, citations,
or references.
Does not submit
assignment materials in
APA 6 format.
NOTE: Gross
failure to provide
PROPER citations
and references –
particularly with
regard to direct
quotes – will
result in sanctions
as outlined in the
academic honesty
policy