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[Free Guide 2026] Read the case study, “Zest: A Driving Force in Motors” concerning the strategic direction of Zest, particularly in terms of pr

Sir Mojo

19 Jan 2026 • 3 min read

Read the case study, “Zest: A Driving Force in Motors” concerning the strategic direction of Zest, particularly in terms of product diversification and market expansion

Read the case study, “Zest: A Driving Force in Motors” concerning the strategic direction of Zest, particularly in terms of product diversification and market expansion. For this assignment, you will develop a governance plan presentation for key stakeholders based on a real business case and AI tools like PMI Infinity or ChatGPT to inform their decisions. You will address a key business decision with a project governance plan presentation. You will also debrief the second simulation in the course.

This assignment contains two parts. The first requires a PowerPoint slide deck of 11-15 slides. The second component is on a discussion board. Your discussion board responses should be thoughtful and concise, yet they need to be long enough to fully engage with the requirements of the assignment.

This assignment allows you to explore how to leverage AI tools for informed decision-making and communicate your recommendations to stakeholders. Debriefing the simulation allows you to explore the thought processes of your peers, who may have answered differently on the simulation.

Step-by-Step Guide to Answering the Zest Governance Plan Assignment

1. Understand the Purpose of the Assignment

This assignment evaluates your ability to:

Analyze a real-world business case (Zest: A Driving Force in Motors)
Develop a project governance plan tied to a strategic business decision
Use AI tools (e.g., PMI Infinity, ChatGPT) to support decision-making
Communicate clearly with key stakeholders
Reflect on and debrief a course simulation

You are not just summarizing the case—you are advising leadership.

2. Identify the Core Business Decision

Before creating slides, clearly define the key decision Zest must make. Based on the case, this will usually relate to:

Product diversification (new product lines, innovation risk)
Market expansion (new regions, customer segments)
Balancing growth with organizational risk and governance

Your governance plan must support this decision, not exist in isolation.

3. Part One: PowerPoint Governance Plan (11–15 Slides)

Slide 1: Title Slide

Project title
Course name
Your name
Date

Slide 2: Case Overview (Zest Background)

Brief summary of Zest
Current market position
Strategic challenge

Keep this high-level—stakeholders already know the company.

Slide 3: Strategic Decision Facing Zest

Clearly state the decision (e.g., diversify products, expand markets)
Explain why the decision is critical now
Link to business objectives (growth, competitiveness, sustainability)

Slide 4: Project Objectives

What the project aims to achieve
Alignment with Zest’s strategy
Measurable outcomes (market share, revenue growth, risk control)

Slide 5: Governance Framework Overview

Define project governance
Explain why governance is essential for this project
Identify governance principles (accountability, transparency, control)

Slide 6: Governance Structure

Roles and responsibilities:
- Executive sponsor
- Steering committee
- Project manager
- Key stakeholders
Decision authority and escalation paths

Slide 7: Stakeholder Identification and Engagement

Key internal and external stakeholders
Stakeholder influence vs. interest
Communication expectations

Slide 8: Decision-Making and Control Processes

How decisions are made
Approval checkpoints
Change control process

This slide is critical for governance credibility.

Slide 9: Risk Management and Compliance

Key risks (market, operational, financial, reputational)
Risk mitigation strategies
Compliance considerations

Slide 10: Use of AI Tools for Decision Support

AI tools used (e.g., PMI Infinity, ChatGPT)
What insights AI provided
How AI informed—not replaced—human judgment

Slide 11: Ethical and Governance Considerations of AI

Data reliability
Bias and limitations
Human oversight

This shows maturity in AI usage.

Slide 12: Project Performance Monitoring

KPIs and metrics
Reporting cadence
Governance review points

Slide 13: Recommendations

Recommended course of action
Justification tied to governance and strategy
Expected benefits

Slide 14: Conclusion

Reinforce importance of governance
Strategic value to Zest
Readiness for execution

Slide 15 (Optional): References

Case study
AI tools
Frameworks used

4. How to Use AI Tools Effectively (Not Passively)

When using AI:

Ask it to analyze risks, governance models, or stakeholder impacts
Compare AI recommendations with the case facts
Use AI outputs as decision support, not final answers

Mention how AI influenced your thinking in the slides.

5. Part Two: Discussion Board Component

Purpose of the Discussion

The discussion board assesses:

Reflection
Peer engagement
Understanding of decision-making under uncertainty

How to Structure Your Discussion Response

Paragraph 1: Simulation Reflection

Briefly summarize your simulation decision
Explain your reasoning
Identify what influenced your choices

Paragraph 2: Comparison With Peers

Highlight differences between your decisions and peers’
Explain why others may have chosen differently
Acknowledge alternative perspectives

Paragraph 3: Lessons Learned

What you learned from the simulation
How it impacts your thinking on governance and strategy
How AI or structured decision-making could improve outcomes

Style Tips

Be concise but thoughtful
Avoid repeating case facts
Engage respectfully with peers’ viewpoints

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Turning slides into dense paragraphs
Describing governance without tying it to the decision
Over-relying on AI without critique
Ignoring stakeholder perspectives
Treating the discussion board as an afterthought

7. Final Checklist Before Submission

11–15 well-organized slides
Clear governance plan tied to Zest’s strategy
Explicit use of AI tools explained
Stakeholder-focused recommendations
Thoughtful discussion board post
Simulation debrief included

What Your Instructor Is Really Looking For

Strategic thinking
Governance maturity
Clear communication to executives
Responsible AI usage
Reflection and learning from peers

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