BUSINESS STRATEGY AND PLANNING

This course contributes to the Bachelor's Degree Programme main objectives of training undergraduates able to work in private and public organizations, by developing knowledge and skills in the business administration area. In particular, the course provides the theoretical framework and the operational skills needed to apply management tools for business planning and budgeting at different types of companies. The course deals with both the accounting aspects and the organizational implications.

1) Knowledge and understanding
At the end of this course, students are expected to have developed a solid knowledge of the main aspects of the budgeting and business planning tools, such as:
- the role of budget, both from the financial and organisational perspective, and the budgeting process;
- the master budget components (operating budget, cash budget and capital budget);
- the preparatory analyses required by the development of a business plan;
- the contents of a business plan.

2) Applying knowledge and understanding
At the end of this course, students are expected to be able to apply the main planning tools. In particular:
- to prepare a master budget;
- to draw up a business plan, both in its qualitative and quantitative part.

3) Making judgements
At the end of this course, students are expected to be able to critically discuss the nature and uses of budget and business plan.

To attend this course, it is necessary to be familiar with the basic concepts of Economia Aziendale, Bilancio e analisi economico-finanziaria, and Analisi e contabilità dei costi. In particular, students are expected to have knowledge of the calculation and interpretation of financial ratios, cashflow statement structure and analysis, cost–volume relationships, breakeven point analysis.

Budget
- Budget as a management control tool
- The budget functions and uses
- The budgeting process: technical and managerial aspects
- The parts of the master budget and its preparation
- Variance analysis

Business plan
- Strategy and strategic planning
- Business plan objectives and structure
- The qualitative part of the business plan: the revenue-based approach and the cost-based approach
- The quantitative part of the business plan: the financial analysis and the projected financial statement
- Business plan assessment

Budget e Analisi delle Performance
Custom Publishing McGraw-Hill 2021
ISBN: 9781307735154

Cinzia Parolini, Business planning. Dall'idea al progetto imprenditoriale, Pearson 2020
ISBN: 9788891906151

The final assessment for students consists of a written test and an optional oral exam. The written test requires students to prepare a budget and solve variance-related exercises. Those who pass the written test may choose to take the optional oral exam, which assesses their understanding of the fundamental concepts of the subject. The oral exam is typically scheduled seven days after the written test. Students are expected to apply their knowledge and critical thinking skills to problems that do not have straightforward solutions.

written and oral

27-30L: Excellent knowledge and understanding of the topics covered in lectures and textbooks. Confidence and precision in solving exercises in the written exam. Note: To receive a grade of 27 or higher, the oral exam is required.
22-26: Good knowledge of the topics covered in lectures and textbooks. Fair ability in solving exercises in the written exam.
18-21: Knowledge of the topics covered in lectures and textbooks is not always in-depth; sufficient ability in solving exercises in the written exam.

The course includes lectures that present theoretical concepts and demonstrate the application of various analytical tools.

Ca’ Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). If you have a disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact ADISS - Settore Inclusione, inclusione@unive.it.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Circular economy, innovation, work" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development