BPP Important areas to cover: Strategy models Analysis of the environment and/or internal factors has featured in most

exams. Key models include PESTEL, Porters Five Forces and the value chain. Expect something on forecasting soon. Evaluation of strategic options is usually tested one way or another (although wasnt in the last paper).SAF can be a useful framework to generate ideas but dont feel you need to follow it slavishly. Strategic action (largely change management and organisational configuration) is often overlooked, but has featured in the last two papers, emphasising the need for good syllabus coverage. Business Process Change A popular area, which may be based around models such as Harmon, or completely unstructured, describing a process and asking for improvements. Expect to see some numbers coming in to questions in this area to help with decisions such as automation and outsourcing. Information Technology A pervasive theme in many questions. Make sure you are comfortable with some of the more important recent concepts in technology such as cloud computing, viral marketing and new business models. Project Management This is a major topic and was not tested in the last sitting so may well be this time. Questions could well focus on analysis and realisation of benefits and again are likely to include a numerical element. Financial Analysis Lots of management accounting knowledge from F5 is assumed knowledge here, including budgeting, variance analysis and relevant costing. The lessons from Q1 in the last paper are that, 1) this may be in the compulsory question and 2) you may not be specifically told which techniques to use, but have to work it out from the data given. People This is most likely to be tested in conjunction with one of the other topics, as it was in the last paper. Most importantly Knowledge alone will not get you close to a pass on this paper. You need to be able to apply your knowledge to specific situations. Practice this using past questions and stories in the press or on the web as often as you can and you will be ready for whatever the exam throws at you! Kaplan tips Question 1 may be less strategic than we have seen in the past and feature a large element of project management. It should have some element of strategic analysis, possibly a SWOT. Section B will combine all elements of the syllabus (strategic analysis, choice and implementation) possibly including: Pricing Project appraisal Strategy and people Change management

Open Tuition Q1 Normal appraisal and advice. Perhaps with takeovers and expected values Q2 Marketing, particularly pricing Q3 Project project initiation documents and gateways Q4 Strategic use of IT Q5 Strategy and people

First Intuition Section A Environment analysis, people with financial analysis Section B Project management Strategic action Information technology pricing strategy Icount Project management skills Internal resources and competences Supply chain management Decision tree Budgeting Change management