Outline

Overview

Contemporary business leaders must be able to operate in a dynamic and interconnected business world characterised by high levels of uncertainty and complexity. In this second foundational module of the Executive MBA, students improve their understanding of how strategic decisions and business management influence the economic performance of organisations. They will develop their strategic thinking, decision-making and business management skills by analysing complex issues, generating strategic choices and finding innovative solutions. Students will also learn that achieving strategic fit of an organisation with its environment requires leadership attention not only to economic considerations but to social and environmental ones, to deliver on its responsibilities, meet stakeholders' expectations, and ensure long-term profitability. Exploring both business unit and corporate strategy, students will engage in a strategic analysis of organisations and the environment they operate in, as well as generate strategic options using tools and frameworks, including design thinking and behavioural strategy. A component of the course will involve case discussions, which provide an opportunity for students to refine critical-thinking and decision-making skills by putting themselves into the shoes of a senior leader operating with often incomplete and asymmetric information. They will then work in teams on projects that address real-world strategic issues for an organisation, providing experiential-based learning about strategic thinking and problem-solving. The project will also give students opportunities to develop their team-building and leadership skills, as introduced in EMBA6002 Reframing Leadership, while further mastering strategic thinking and other business fundamentals.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Management Education
Credit points	12
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	EMBA6000
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Massimo Garbuio, massimo.garbuio@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 5 June 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Reflective Report Report	50%	Formal exam period Due date: 18 Jul 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 28 Jul 2026	4000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	Mini Challenge Oral presentation	20%	Week 04 Due date: 19 Jun 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 19 Jun 2026	15 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Team project presentation Oral presentation	30%	Week 05 Due date: 24 Jun 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 24 Jun 2026	25 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Mini Challenge: Each team will present their analyses and conclusions to date for the strategic issue for an organisation. Each team will present about the process of developing such a solution as well as the solution to the challenge outlined in their strategic issue.
Team project presentation: Each team will present a business case to the partner organisation that provides a solution to the challenge outlined in their strategic issue project brief. Students will demonstrate their capacity to integrate across business functions by providing a justification for the solution that is consistent with the partner organisation’s business environment, capabilities and strategic intent, as well as stakeholder expectations based on sound business practice.
Reflective report: This assessment task is designed to provide students with the opportunity to reflect on the content and experience of module 2, and what they have learned about their leadership and team skills following on from module 1.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

According to University and Business School policies.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Formal exam period	Friday 17 July: Post-immersion session	Lecture (6 hr)
Week 02	Friday 5 June: Onboarding	Lecture (3.5 hr)
Week 02	Wednesday 24 June: Day 10	Lecture (9 hr)
Week 03	Monday 8 June: Finance session	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Monday 15 June: Day 1	Lecture (9 hr)
	Tuesday 16 June: Day 2	Lecture (9 hr)
	Wednesday 17 June: Day 3	Lecture (9 hr)
	Thursday 18 June: Day 4	Lecture (9 hr)
	Friday 19 June: Day 5	Lecture (9 hr)
	Saturday 20 June: Day 6	Lecture (4.5 hr)
	Sunday 21 June: Day 7	Lecture (9 hr)
Week 05	Monday 22 June: Day 8	Lecture (9 hr)
Week 05	Tuesday 23 June: Day 9	Lecture (9 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Osterwalder, A., and Pigneur, Y. (2010). Business model generation: a handbook for visionaries, game-changers, and challengers. John Wiley and Sons.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. diagnose strategic challenges in a range of organisational and industry contexts
LO2. apply knowledge and skills from multiple management fields to develop strategic options and integrated solutions to challenges commonly faced by organisations, including your own
LO3. evaluate a range of models and management tools and apply them to develop innovative and pragmatic responses to strategic challenges, taking into account social and sustainability issues
LO4. deploy a range of communication strategies that demonstrate your ability to persuade and motivate others
LO5. work collaboratively while developing and leveraging the diverse skills of a team.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Additional information

Business School Policies

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

EMBA6003: Reframing Strategy

Intensive May - June, 2026 [Block mode] - Castlereagh St, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links