Unit Learning Outcomes
LO1 Establish project aims, objectives and time frames based on the chosen theme. LO2 Conduct small-scale research, information gathering and data collection to generate knowledge to support the project. LO3 Present the project and communicate appropriate recommendations based on meaningful conclusions drawn from the evidence findings and/ or analysis. LO4 Reflect on the value gained from conducting the project and its usefulness to support organisational performance.
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Topic This year the theme, set by Pearson, is Talent Management in the Service Industry. Talent management (TM) is the process by which businesses and organisations recognize and develop talented people who can have a positive impact on their organisations and their productivity. It not only has become a key component of human resource management but also the responsibility of leaders and managers at all levels to manage talent within the business, with TM strategies being developed in line with the particular needs and structure of the business and industry.
Attracting, selecting, engaging, developing and retaining employees are the five main focuses of talent management in the travel and tourism industry, where talented motivated employees can help differentiate one organization from another and influence business success. An increasing number of businesses are rethinking ways to get the most from their staff. Rising costs, recruitment difficulties and changing employee attitudes mean that, for many employers, the traditional approaches to recruiting, training and retaining staff are being revisited to harness and develop talent and ultimately drive competitive advantage.
In order for companies to gain a competitive advantage, the demand for human capital will continue to drive talent management (Towers Perrin, 2003). Although pay and benefits initially attract employees, top-tier leadership organizations focus on retaining and developing talent (Lockwood, 2006). The talent management process is used to control certain events that each employee experiences in the workplace (Perrine, 2005).
The specific topic on which you will be focusing your research is:
“Effective talent management strategies in a selected travel and tourism organization”
Scenario and Project Imagine that shortly after completing a HND in Travel and Tourism Management, you are working for a small HR consultancy company. You are approached by a travel and tourism industry organization that wants to know whether it currently conducts talent management effectively. In your role as a HR Consultant, you are also asked to give a Presentation of all the following activities.
Activity 1 – Project Planning/ Management To demonstrate your skills and understanding of the first stages of Project Management (i.e. Project Initiation and Project Planning), and that you are able to establish a project’s aims, objectives and time frames based on the chosen theme, you need to:
1.1 think about, write down, formulate and refine a Project Title and 1.2 devise a set of Project Aims and Objectives that fit with the Scenario outlined above. 1.3 produce a proper Project Management Plan, covering the following elements; • the scope of the project – defining the extent and limits of the project, • the risk to the project and how it may be reduced, • the duration, cost and quality dimensions of the project, • the resources you expect that the project will require, 1.4 a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), preferably developed into a Gantt Chart, showing the overall time frame and stages for completion; and if possible 1.5 what methods of material resourcing, data collection, and information gathering you should select as being the most appropriate
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Activity 2 – Project Execution/ Conducting Small-Scale Research
Moving into the Project Execution phase, to generate knowledge to support the project, you will: 2.1 carry out Secondary Research to address the topic of Talent Management in the Service Industry given earlier, i.e. Effective talent management strategies in a selected travel and tourism industry organization.
In the secondary research, it is recommended that you consider the distinct phases that support a coherent and logical argument. You should be able to use this Secondary Research to inform a Primary Study. It follows that you must go on to select a travel and tourism organization (of your choice), and then 2.2 carry out a piece of Primary Empirical Research that goes towards the Consultancy issue identified earlier, i.e.; Are employees satisfied with the current talent management strategies?
While carrying out the research, you should apply both qualitative and quantitative research methods that are appropriate for meeting the aims and objectives of the project (as set by you in Activity 1.2 above).
In the field work, it is recommended that you consider carefully how you should select a sample from organisations, businesses or individuals; what sampling approaches and techniques are the most appropriate; and whether any ethical or other problems will arise.
In addition to the above research, you should write a short section to 2.3 evaluate the validity and reliability of the Research Methods you apply; or give your critical evaluation of the Research Methodologies you have applied.
Activity 3 – Project Findings In your role as a HR Consultant, you will be asked to present the Findings from your Research and the practical recommendations you would make to the travel and tourism organisation (i.e. the one that notionally approached you and that you in fact chose and had some access to).
For this part of the presentation to be effective, you should: 3.1 analyse your research and data, using appropriate tools and techniques, 3.2 draw valid and meaningful conclusions from the research and data analysis, 3.3 communicate appropriate recommendations.
If you can, you should additionally aim to 3.4 justify or support your recommendations with an evaluation of the accuracy and authenticity of the research tools and techniques you used.
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Activity 4 – Performance Review Finally, on your return to the Consultancy, you will carry out a Performance Review with your Manager (i.e. Tutor, who will prepare an Observation Record). In doing this, you will need to; 4.1 reflect on the value of undertaking the research; and 4.2 reflect on your own learning and performance.
To do this well, you can think about and prepare answers to questions like the following: • How well did the project go? How good were your project outcomes? Was the project useful for the local business? What changes or developments took place which went differently from the initial project management plan? • How useful is the project management process for meeting planned objectives? Does it support the way that an organization can perform in a sustainable way? • Did you learn anything from the project management process? How valuable is the project management process as a tool for supporting your own learning or performance? Can you learn from it for the future? • Did you learn anything from the research process or the use of quality research? How valuable is the research process as a tool for supporting your own learning or performance? Can it help you to meet your objectives? How?
Assignment Checklist:
Evidence required: Complete:
Activity 1 (LO1)
Project Management Plan, including: • Project Title, Project Aims and Objectives • the scope of the project / the extent and limits • risks/ how they may be reduced • duration, cost and quality dimensions • resources the project will require • Work Breakdown Structure/ Gantt Chart/ timeframe/ stages • Data collection/ information gathering methods
Activity 2 (LO2)
Project Execution, including: • Secondary Research on “Effective TM Strategies in an Organization” • Primary Research on “Are Employees satisfied with current TM Strategies?” • Critical Evaluation of Research Methodologies/ Validity & Reliability
Activity 3 (LO3)
Project Findings + Recommendations – Presentation, including: • Research and data analysis • Valid and meaningful Findings • Difficulties / Limitations • Recommendations
Activity 4 (LO4)
Performance Review – Interview, including: • questions of the kind set out above
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Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria Pass Merit Distinction LO1 Establish project aims, objectives and time frames based on the chosen theme D1 Critically evaluate the project management process and appropriate research methodologies applied.
P1 Devise project aims and objectives for a chosen scenario. P2 Produce a project management plan that covers aspects of cost, scope, time, quality, communication, risk and resources. P3 Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to provide time frames and stages for completion. M1 Produce a comprehensive project management plan, milestone schedule and project schedule for monitoring and completing the aims and objectives of the project.
LO2 Carry out small-scale research, information-gathering and data collection, generating knowledge to support the project. P4 Carry out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods for meeting project aims and objectives. M2 Evaluate the accuracy and reliability of different research methods applied.
LO3 Present the project and communicate appropriate recommendations based on meaningful conclusions drawn from the evidence findings and/ or analysis
D2 Critically evaluate and reflect on the project outcomes, the decision-making process and changes or developments of the initial project management plan to support justification of recommendations and learning during the project.
P5 Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques. P6 Communicate appropriate recommendations as a result of research and data analysis to draw valid and meaningful conclusions. M3 Evaluate the selection of appropriate tools and techniques for accuracy and authenticity to support and justify recommendations
LO4 Reflect on the value gained from conducting the project and its usefulness to support sustainable organizational performance P7 Reflect on the value of undertaking the research to meet stated objectives and own learning and performance M4 Evaluate the value of the project management process and use of quality research to meet stated objectives and support own learning and performance
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Plagiarism Any act of plagiarism will be seriously dealt with according to the Academy’s and awarding bodies’ regulations. In this context the definition and scope of plagiarism are presented below: Plagiarism is presenting someone’s work as your own. It includes copying information directly from the web or from books without referencing the material; submitting joint coursework as an individual effort; copying another student’s coursework; stealing coursework from another student and submitting it as your own work. Suspected plagiarism will be investigated and if found to have occurred will be dealt with according to the Academy procedure. For further details please refer to the plagiarism policy and the student code of conduct. You are reminded that you must sign a declaration that the work submitted is your own – see the “Learner Declaration” below.
Learner Declaration I certify that the work submitted for this assignment is my own and research sources are fully acknowledged.
Student signature:
Date:
Submission Format and Guidance: While Higher National programmes are vocational and flexible, so that the points below are not formal Pearson BTEC requirements, nonetheless for this assignment it is recommended that you give attention to the following points. For your Presentation, the submission will be a 5-10-minute individual presentation with additional time (approximately 5 minutes) available for questions. The presentation slides and speaker notes should be submitted as one document on the same day of your presentation. It is recommended that you: • use PowerPoint or other suitable software, • professional in style, with clear and accurate language, and appropriate formal tone; with key points emphasized concisely, use of headings and subheadings, bullet points on well-edited and focused slides, • reference your research using the Harvard referencing system, • provide a separate list of references or bibliography at the end; and# • word count of approximately 2,000-2,500 words including speaker notes (Note that Pearson BTEC does not have formal requirements on word count. You will not be penalized for exceeding or producing less than, the number of words indicated. The intention is to offer a guideline to assist you in producing an assessment that will be considered sufficient to demonstrate your understanding by an objective third party.)
