International Business Document Analysis Assignment

Worth: 3 points

Format: Individual or group work

Assignment Overview

Throughout Week 13, we’ve explored several types of international business documentation including Requests for Proposal (RFPs), Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), and Service Level Agreements (SLAs). However, the landscape of international business documentation is vast, with many specialized document types serving specific purposes in commerce, contracting, procurement, and operations.

For this assignment, you will select one document type that we have not covered in detail during class, locate authentic examples of that document type, and create a brief analysis explaining its structure, purpose, and key vocabulary.

Your deliverable will consist of two parts:

1. A 1-2 page analysis (one page preferred) explaining the document type
2. Example documents (at least one per group member) attached to your analysis

Learning Objectives

By completing this assignment, you will:

• Identify and analyze specialized international business document types beyond those covered in class
• Recognize standard structural elements and vocabulary used in professional business documentation
• Understand how document format and content serve specific business purposes
• Develop awareness of documentation practices relevant to your future professional work

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Document Types You May Explore

Select one of the following document types for your analysis, or you can propose your own document type.

Contractual and Legal Documents

Procurement and Vendor Management

- Master Services Agreements (MSAs): Overarching contracts that establish general terms for ongoing business relationships - Statements of Work (SOWs): Detailed project-specific documents defining scope, deliverables, and timeline - Letters of Intent (LOIs): Preliminary agreements expressing serious intention to enter a business relationship - Licensing Agreements: Contracts granting rights to use intellectual property, software, or branded materials - Distribution Agreements: Contracts establishing terms for distributing products in specific markets or territories

- Requests for Information (RFIs): Preliminary documents gathering general information about vendor capabilities - Requests for Quotation (RFQs): Documents requesting specific pricing for well-defined products or services - Vendor Qualification Questionnaires: Assessment documents used to evaluate potential suppliers - Supplier Code of Conduct: Documents establishing ethical and operational standards for suppliers - Vendor Scorecards/Performance Reviews: Structured evaluations of supplier performance

Note: You may not select document types we’ve already covered in detail: Requests for Proposal (RFPs), Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), Service Level Agreements (SLAs), Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Independent Contractor Agreements (ICAs), or Purchase Orders (POs).

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Assignment Requirements

Part 1: Document Analysis (1-2 pages) — 1 point

Your analysis should be concise and informative, structured as follows:

1. Introduction (1 paragraph)

• What document type did you choose to work with? Why?
• What are the different names for this document type?
• What broad business purpose does it serve?
• When and why would organizations use this document?
• In what industries or contexts is it commonly used?

2. Structural Analysis (1 paragraph)

• What are the standard sections or components of this document type?
• How is information typically organized?
• What formatting conventions are common (tables, lists, narrative, etc.)?
• Are there required elements mandated by law, regulation, or industry standards?

3. Key Vocabulary and Terminology (1 paragraph or table)

• What specialized vocabulary appears consistently in these documents?
• Are there legal terms, technical jargon, or industry-specific phrases that readers need to understand?
• Provide definitions or explanations of 5-8 key terms

4. Observations from Examples (1 paragraph)

• What did you notice when comparing the examples you found?
• What variations exist in how different organizations present this document type?
• What makes the examples of this document type that you chose effective or professional?
• Did anything surprise you about the format, language, or content?

5. Conclusions (1 paragraph)

• After studying the document type in detail, what do you think are its pros and cons?
• What are your key takeaways from doing this assignment?

6. Works Consulted (Optional but highly recommended) If you consulted any works that informed your report besides your example documents, you should cite them here.

Formatting guidelines:

• One page is preferred - maximum two pages; all narrative content aligned left
• Use clear section headers matching the structure above
• Include a table for key vocabulary if helpful for clarity
• Professional formatting with consistent fonts and spacing
• Cite sources for any definitions or explanations of specialized terms

Part 2: Example Documents (at least one per group member) — 1 point

Attach authentic examples of your selected document type:

Requirements:

• Minimum examples: One example per group member (individual = 1 example; group of 2 = 2 examples; group of 3 = 3 examples; group of 4 = 4 examples)
• Authenticity: Examples should be real business documents, not templates, academic examples, or content generated from GAI
• Variety: If submitting multiple examples, try to show variety (different industries, different formats, different levels of complexity)
• Sources: Clearly indicate where you found each example (company website, government database, professional organization, etc.)

Where to find examples:

• Company websites (many organizations publish standard document templates or examples)
• Government procurement websites (GSA, state government sites, international trade agencies)
• Professional association resources (project management institutes, industry trade groups)
• Academic or training resources from business schools
• Your own professional experience (with any confidential information redacted)

Part 3: Professional Presentation — 1 point

Your complete submission (analysis + examples) will be evaluated on:

• Clarity and organization: Analysis is well-structured and easy to follow
• Completeness: All required sections present with substantive content
• Professional writing: Error-free with appropriate academic/business tone
• Inclusive language: No assumed masculine gender as neutral
• Source citation: Examples clearly sourced; definitions cited appropriately
• Formatting: Professional appearance with consistent styling
• Delivery: Files are named correctly; the deliver package is well organized

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Form your group (if working collaboratively)

• You may work individually or in a group
• Coordinate with group members to select a document type of shared interest
• Assign responsibilities: who will find which examples, who will draft which sections, etc.

Step 2: Select your document type

• Review the list of available document types
• Choose one that interests you or relates to your career goals
• Consider what examples might be available publicly before committing to a selection
• Verify your selection is not a document type already covered in class

Step 3: Research and locate examples

• Find at least one authentic example per group member
• As you collect examples, take notes on:
  • Common structural elements you observe
  • Vocabulary that appears frequently
  • Variations between examples
  • What makes some examples clearer or more professional than others

Research tips:

• Search using specific document type names (e.g., “Statement of Work template,” “Bill of Lading example”)
• Look for industry-specific resources (project management organizations, logistics companies, etc.)
• Check government websites, which often have excellent examples of standardized documents
• Consider consulting the GSA eLibrary or similar procurement databases

Step 4: Analyze your examples

Before writing, systematically analyze your collected examples:

• Create a table comparing structural elements across examples
• List vocabulary that appears in multiple examples
• Identify required vs. optional sections
• Note formatting conventions (use of tables, headers, numbered sections, etc.)

Step 5: Write your analysis

Draft your 1-2 page analysis following the structure outlined above:

1. Explain the document’s purpose and context
2. Describe its standard structure and components
3. Define key vocabulary and terminology
4. Share observations from comparing your examples

Writing tips:

• Be concise—focus on the most important and interesting information
• Use specific examples from the documents you found to illustrate points
• Write for an audience (your classmates) who understands business English but hasn’t studied this document type
• Include a vocabulary table if that helps present terminology clearly

Step 6: Format and compile your submission

Create one Word document containing:

1. Title page (optional but professional): Document type, group members’ names, date
2. Your analysis (1-2 pages)
3. Example documents (attached after the analysis)
4. Works consulted (list where you found each example, can be a simple bulleted list)

Ensure professional formatting throughout with consistent fonts, spacing, and headers.

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Submission Details

• File Format: One MS Word document containing analysis + examples (.docx)
• File Name:
  • Individual: LastNames_intl-business-doc.docx
  • Group: LastNames1_LastNames2_intl-business-doc.docx (list all group members)
• Due Date: End of week

Assessment Criteria (3 points total)

Component	Points	Criteria
Document Analysis	1 point	• Clear explanation of document purpose and business context • Thorough structural analysis identifying standard sections and components • Useful vocabulary section with 5-8 key terms defined • Thoughtful observations comparing examples and noting effectiveness factors • Concise presentation (1-2 pages, one page preferred)
Example Documents	1 point	• Minimum number of examples included (one per group member) • Examples are authentic business documents (not templates) • Examples clearly sourced and attributed • Examples demonstrate the document type effectively • If multiple examples, show useful variety
Professional Presentation	1 point	• Well-organized and easy to navigate • Error-free writing with professional tone • Inclusive language throughout • Appropriate citations for definitions or references • Professional formatting with consistent styling

Reflection Questions

Consider these questions as you work on your analysis:

1. Professional relevance: How might this document type appear in your future career? In what situations might you need to read, write, or evaluate this type of document?
2. Cross-cultural considerations: If this document needed to be used in international contexts or translated for different markets, what challenges might arise? What elements might need adaptation?
3. Standardization vs. flexibility: Which aspects of this document type seem highly standardized across examples, and which show significant variation? Why might that be?
4. Clarity and accessibility: How accessible is this document type to non-specialists? What makes these documents clear or confusing? If you were advising an organization, how might you recommend improving clarity?
5. Digital transformation: How has technology changed how these documents are created, shared, or managed? What digital tools or systems typically support this documentation?
6. Legal and ethical dimensions: What legal, regulatory, or ethical considerations govern this document type? What could go wrong if this document were poorly prepared?

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📥 Download this Content

Find this file on our repo and download it.

🤖 GAI Study Prompts

Copy the downloaded content and try it with these prompts:

• “Help me understand the business purpose of [document type I selected] and when it’s typically used”
• “What are the key differences between [document type A] and [document type B] in international business?”
• “I found these examples of [document type]. Help me identify the common structural elements across them”
• “What specialized vocabulary should I define for [document type] to help my classmates understand it?”
• “Review my analysis of [document type] and suggest what important information I might be missing”
• “How might [document type] need to be adapted for different cultural or legal contexts?”
• “What makes a [document type] effective or professional? Help me identify best practices from my examples”
• “How has digital technology changed how [document type] is used in modern business?”

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Week 13 Complete! Next week we’ll explore Digital Business Tools & Technology