Strategic Group Maps
What challenges can exist when trying to develop strategic group maps for an industry?  What can you do to address and overcome these challenges?

Which of the following statements is true about strategic alliances?​

1. ​Strategic alliances usually lead to one of the firms losing their relational advantage.

2. ​In strategic alliances, companies may choose to cooperate at any stage along the value chain.

3.​Strategic alliances exclude functions that are bought through bidding.

4.​In strategic alliances, the power to make decisions is always evenly distributed amidst the firms.

Select one of the four design thinking tools presented in the course (listed below) that you are interested in applying to a challenge of your choice.

Tools:

1. Visualization (Module 1)
2. Storytelling (Module 2)
3. Mind Mapping (Module 3)
4. Learning Launch (Module 4)

Use the Assignment Rubric including the following elements to guide the development of your reflection. Any images you create/take can also be included, but are not required.

Elements:

1. Challenge: Describe your challenge, including all relevant information.
2. Selection: In your own words, briefly describe the tool you selected (e.g., what it is and why you selected it for your challenge -- including any appropriate video lecture references).
3. Application: Describe how you applied the tool you selected to your challenge (e.g., what you did and how the tool was applied effectively or ineffectively).
4. Insight: Describe the insight you gained from applying the tool you selected to your challenge (e.g., how an insight affected your thinking about the challenge and about design thinking more broadly).
5. Approach: Describe what you might do differently next time -- applying the same tool you selected or a different one -- and the reason(s) why.

Notes:

The rubric also includes a score for organization. You should strive to write in a clear and compelling way, and ensure that your descriptions flow logically.

Your completed reflection should be written in English and be between five and ten paragraphs in length. When complete, you will upload your reflection (PDF file only) for peer review, which will determine your grade for this assignment. After uploading your reflection, you will be prompted to review three of your peers' submissions.

To pass this assignment, your peers must score your reflection an average of two or above, based on the rubric criteria. To successfully complete the course, you must complete your peer reviews and pass this assignment.