acca p3 all models

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BPP Professional Education is an Approved ACCA Learning Quality Partner the highest level of accreditation available. Our status guarantees you the highest levels of tuition and top-quality learning materials. In the last five years we’ve produced over 220 global prize winners and commendees, and we consistently achieve pass rates in excess of 75%. Find out more: bpp.com/acca . USING MODELS IN ACCA P3 JUNE 2012

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The book is published by acca marker to help student understanding the different model to be used is different situation.

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Page 1: Acca p3 all models

BPP Professional Education is an Approved ACCA Learning Quality Partner – the highest level of

accreditation available. Our status guarantees you the highest levels of tuition and top-quality learning

materials. In the last five years we’ve produced over 220 global prize winners and commendees, and we

consistently achieve pass rates in excess of 75%. Find out more: bpp.com/acca.

USING MODELS IN ACCA – P3 JUNE 2012

Page 2: Acca p3 all models

BPP Professional Education is an Approved ACCA Learning Quality Partner – the highest level of

accreditation available. Our status guarantees you the highest levels of tuition and top-quality learning

materials. In the last five years we’ve produced over 220 global prize winners and commendees, and we

consistently achieve pass rates in excess of 75%. Find out more: bpp.com/acca.

USING MODELS IN ACCA – P3 One of the most misunderstood aspects of ACCA P3 is the use of models and theories within the paper. All tutors will tell you that this paper is about application of knowledge, rather than knowledge itself, but what does “application of knowledge” actually mean? In my experience as a tutor and marker for this paper, I have identified that there are broadly four types of question in this respect. I will illustrate each from the December 2010 paper, which you can download from the ACCA website.

YOU MAY BE ASKED TO USE A SPECIFIC MODEL For example, take question 3(b):

Using appropriate organisation configuration stereotypes identified by Henry Mintzberg, explain how an understanding of organisation configuration could have helped predict the failure of Ann Li’s proposed formalisation of structure, controls and processes at Frigate Ltd.

There are no problems of model selection here – you are told which model to use. This makes things easier in some ways, but it does mean that you definitely need to know this model. If you don’t, you will score badly, so are better off choosing another question if you can. In these situations, you will also get some credit for describing the model itself, before moving on to application. The application does not need to be in depth – the key point to identify here is the clash between the type of configuration Ann is used to and the configuration she is now working in.

Page 3: Acca p3 all models

BPP Professional Education is an Approved ACCA Learning Quality Partner – the highest level of

accreditation available. Our status guarantees you the highest levels of tuition and top-quality learning

materials. In the last five years we’ve produced over 220 global prize winners and commendees, and we

consistently achieve pass rates in excess of 75%. Find out more: bpp.com/acca.

YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO USE A MODEL, BUT THE EXAMINER DOESN’T SPECIFY WHICH ONE Usually, there is one that is more suitable than others, but you will get credit even if you use something else. Question 1(b) (i) says: Identify and analyse, using an appropriate model, the contextual factors that will influence how strategic change should be managed at Captain Haddock.

There is a model in the syllabus that specifically looks at contextual factors of change, developed by Balogun and Hope Hailey. The scenario has also been written so that you can apply this model quite easily – there is talk about readiness for change, capability, diversity of views and so on. However, you could use another model if need be, such as the cultural web. Provided you applied it to the scenario, you could score well this way.

For these questions, model selection can be a challenge, but there aren’t really short cuts. It comes down to knowing the syllabus so that you can identify which model would be most appropriate to analyse a situation. Bear in mind that selecting the right model is also nothing like enough to gain a pass – you also need to apply it to the scenario. In this situation, you will get some credit for describing the model, but not much, so you need to keep it brief.

One variant on this is when the examiner specifies a model, but will allow use of other models as well. Use the specified model if you can, but all is not lost if you can’t remember it, provided you can use something else!

Page 4: Acca p3 all models

BPP Professional Education is an Approved ACCA Learning Quality Partner – the highest level of

accreditation available. Our status guarantees you the highest levels of tuition and top-quality learning

materials. In the last five years we’ve produced over 220 global prize winners and commendees, and we

consistently achieve pass rates in excess of 75%. Find out more: bpp.com/acca.

YOU AREN’T REQUIRED TO USE MODELS AT ALL. THERE MAY BE SOME THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL, BUT THEY AREN’T ESSENTIAL.

Look at question 1(a):

In the context of Shoal plc’s corporate-level strategy, assess the contribution and performance of ShoalFish, ShoalPro and ShoalFarm. Your assessment should include an analysis of the position of each company in the Shoal plc portfolio.

We are dealing with a number of companies which are part of the same group and are given some financial data on each – market size, turnover and gross profit. If you know the syllabus well and are reading carefully, you may see that you could do a BCG analysis of the three companies. If you do, you will find they belong to different quadrants. That will represent a good piece of analysis and should yield plenty of marks. However, there are no marks to be gained by talking in general about the BCG matrix – that is not a requirement of the question. And if you don’t use the BCG matrix, it is still possible to score very well by doing some financial analysis and discussing the performance of each company, including the synergy between them.

Page 5: Acca p3 all models

BPP Professional Education is an Approved ACCA Learning Quality Partner – the highest level of

accreditation available. Our status guarantees you the highest levels of tuition and top-quality learning

materials. In the last five years we’ve produced over 220 global prize winners and commendees, and we

consistently achieve pass rates in excess of 75%. Find out more: bpp.com/acca.

SOME QUESTIONS ARE VERY MUCH “FREE-FORM” ANALYSIS AND ALTHOUGH SOME OF THE SYLLABUS MAY HELP YOU GENERATE IDEAS, YOUR CONTENT COMES FROM DIRECTLY ANALYSING THE SCENARIO.

For example, question 4(a) reads: Evaluate the perceived benefits and costs of adopting e-assessment at the IAA.

There is content in the syllabus on e-business which may get you started here (e.g. pros – greater reach, cons – not everyone has internet access) but it won’t get you far. However, the scenario is full of clues about what may be good and bad about e-assessment.

For example, the institute described employ invigilators in exam centres with few candidates. They could reduce costs by using e-assessment. However, the exams require a broadband connection, so they will not be accessible to those without one. This runs counter to their desire for a global reach. These questions are really about analysis of information and coming up with some sensible ideas.

You will see that there is no substitute for knowing the syllabus well, and being able to apply its content to a range of organisations. If you are careful to understand the type of question you are dealing with, you can also make sure you adopt an approach that will allow you to score marks as efficiently as possible.