STEEPLE Analysis Growth

Context and Curriculum Alignment

This lesson is designed for Year 11 Business students in Queensland and aligns with the Humanities and Social Sciences curriculum, Economics and Business focus. It specifically supports students in analysing the macro-environment affecting business growth strategies using a STEEPLE analysis tool.

Relevant Queensland Curriculum References:

• Economics and Business 11: Students investigate environmental factors influencing business decisions and growth in local, national and global contexts; develop analytical skills to evaluate business strategies.
• General Capabilities: Critical and creative thinking, Literacy (particularly in scaffolding reading and analysis), Personal and social capability (working in pairs).
• Cross-Curriculum Priorities: Sustainability (social and economic environment aspects in STEEPLE).

These components correspond to developing students’ capabilities in critical business analysis, economic reasoning, and strategic thinking as highlighted in Queensland's Business education standards.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this 45-minute lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify and explain the seven components of STEEPLE: Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, Political, Legal, and Ethical factors affecting business growth.
2. Analyse how these macro-environmental factors impact a chosen business’s growth strategy.
3. Collaborate effectively in pairs to produce a detailed STEEPLE analysis.
4. Apply the STEEPLE framework independently to a different business or industry context for extension learners.

Success Criteria

• Successfully complete a comprehensive STEEPLE analysis for a selected business.
• Use clear examples for each STEEPLE factor, showing understanding of business implications.
• Demonstrate teamwork and presentation of findings coherently.
• For extension: Apply STEEPLE to another business or sector with minimal guidance.

Resources

• STEEPLE analysis scaffold handout with visual icons for each factor (to support dyslexia-friendly learning).
• Example STEEPLE analysis of a well-known Australian business (e.g., Qantas or Woolworths).
• Worksheets for note-taking and analysis.
• Whiteboard and markers or digital board for collaborative discussion.

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Lesson Plan Breakdown (45 Minutes)

Activity	Time	Description	Differentiation/Support
Introduction & Overview	7 minutes	- Briefly explain STEEPLE components using the scaffold with visuals. - Emphasise business growth context and relevance to Year 11 Business unit. - Discuss real-life macro factors impacting businesses (focus on local Australian example).	Use visual icons and mnemonic aids to help memory retention. Speak clearly with pauses to check understanding. Short video clip or infographic as an alternative input for ADHD/dyslexic students.
Modelling/Example Analysis	8 minutes	- Walk through a sample STEEPLE analysis on a known Australian business. - Highlight how each factor influences decision-making and strategy. - Invite questions to scaffold understanding clearly.	Provide a printed copy with colour-coded components. Pair visual with verbal explanations to accommodate diverse learners.
Collaborative Pair Task	20 minutes	- Students pair up and choose a business (option provided: local, Australian or global). - Using scaffold, complete the STEEPLE analysis. - Teacher circulates for support and to prompt critical thinking. - Encourage use of digital tools or graphic organisers where possible.	Pairing helps peer scaffolding. Provide sentence starters and guiding questions for those who need support. Allow use of laptops/tablets for information retrieval. Check in regularly for focus and support.
Sharing & Extension Challenge	7 minutes	- Selected pairs share one key insight from their STEEPLE analysis. - Extension: Students who finish early attempt a STEEPLE analysis for a different business sector (e.g., tech startup vs. retail).	Oral sharing builds confidence and reinforcement. Extension challenges deeper thinking and application in new contexts. Allow options for oral presentation or visual chart submission based on learner preference.
Plenary & Reflection	3 minutes	- Recap STEEPLE’s importance for business growth strategy. - Students write one takeaway in their workbook. - Set up next lesson focus (link STEEPLE with strategic planning tools).	Use prompt cards to assist reflection writing. Encourage use of bullet points or mind-maps for those with dyslexia.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Pairs for peer support reduce individual pressure, especially helpful for students with ADHD or dyslexia.
• Visual scaffolding with clear icons for each STEEPLE factor supports memory and comprehension.
• Guided sentence starters to structure analysis for those needing language support.
• Flexible presentation methods - oral, written, visual graphic organisers.
• Regular teacher check-ins to maintain engagement and scaffold critical analysis.

Extension Opportunities

• Apply STEEPLE analysis to an alternative business sector or emerging industry.
• Research and critique how a chosen business adapts its growth strategy responding to specific STEEPLE factors.
• Develop a brief presentation or infographic summarising STEEPLE impacts on business innovation.

Dyslexia-Friendly Accommodations

• Use large sans-serif fonts in printouts and presentations.
• Colour coding of STEEPLE categories to distinguish easily.
• Multi-sensory input: combining visuals, speech, and text.
• Chunk information in small sections with clear headings.
• Provide templates and graphic organisers to reduce writing load.

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This lesson builds essential analytical skills aligned with Queensland Business curriculum expectations, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving applicable to real-world business contexts. The blended approach respects students with diverse learning needs and encourages engagement through partnership and scaffolded practice.