Learners may use their own employment context, or that of another organisation with which they are very familiar, to base their assignment. However, in the case that they are not able to do so, please use the below scenario:-
You are a senior manager in a business unit of a medium sized enterprise, with functional management and organisational leadership responsibilities. You have responsibility for all aspects of the performance management of your team and its contribution towards the achievement of business goals.
Please select and research an organisation of your choice to identify its approach to performance management. Provide brief details of your research in a summary of between 200 and 250 words, this should not be counted in the suggested word count. Use the results of your research to answer the tasks below.
Task 1:
Critically assess the links between the performance of your team and the stated strategic objectives of the organisation. You may wish to use congruence modelling for this purpose.
Identify a range of at least four different tools and techniques for setting team performance targets. Evaluate these by comparing and contrasting them, using a table format if preferred, identifying the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Assess their value then in the ongoing measuring and monitoring of team performance during the year, using practical examples to illustrate what worked well and what did not work so well in different situations or with different teams and cultures. Keep the focus on changing and future team performance needs, considering changes in the business environment and its impact.
Guideline word count: 1,000 – 1,100 words
A.C. 1.1 – Critically assess the links between team performance and strategic objectives
A.C. 1.2 – Critically evaluate tools and techniques available to set team performance targets
A.C. 1.3 – Critically evaluate the value of team performance tools to measure future team performance
Task 2:
Explore and analysis how team performance targets are arrived at, considering the factors that effect and influence required team performance levels, compare and contrast current team performance with your findings.
Describe at least three different theories on motivation. Relate motivational techniques and influencing and persuading methodologies to the encouragement of team members to commit to shared goals, by means of practical examples.
Keeping in focus your scenarios stated strategic objectives, explore, review and critically evaluate the contribution, effects and impact that delegation, mentoring and coaching have, positively and negatively in contributing to the meeting of the organisations strategic objectives. You may consider either strategic performance objectives or strategic organisational direction.
For this task use a working team performance plan, decompose its structure, highlight areas of logical sequencing of the processes, areas of good practice, possible errors, biases and omissions and possible misalignment with the stated strategic objectives under review.
Guideline word count: 900 – 950 words
A.C. 2.1 – Analyze how to determine required performance targets within teams against current performance
A.C. 2.2 – Address the need for individual commitment to team performance in achievement of strategic objectives
A.C. 2.3 – Critically evaluate the application of delegation, mentoring and coaching to the strategic objectives
- 2.4 – Critically evaluate a team performance plan to meet strategic objectives
Task 3:
For this task you are required to identify both tools and methods that are deployed to conduct assessment activities of the business processes used to monitor team performance, whilst having the flexibility and capacity to identify and make changes as required.
For this task you are required to conduct a team performance event, conduct assessment of team performance against pre agreed team performance measures and targets. Use these findings to address non-compliant performance, considering potential areas of legality, human resource policy, codes and effects on other operational areas. You may wish to use tools and methodologies identified in AC. 3.1, for your purposes.
For this task you are required to research and explore the critical impact and consequences of non-compliance of team performance on meeting the already stated strategic objectives. The implications are likely to have considerable scale and scope of influence on operations. An Impact Statement format may be used for your purposes.
Guideline word count: 300 – 350 words
A.C. 3.1 – Identify tools and methodologies to assess the process for monitoring team performance and initiate changes where necessary.
- 3.2 – Evaluate team performance against agreed objectives of the plan and address problematic performances.
- 3.3 – Critically evaluate the impact of the team performance in contributing to meeting strategy.
Task 4:
Research three influencing mythologies, review their suitability, given your sector or investigation, prevailing structure and culture and other factors you feel relevant, and determine their potential effectiveness in attracting and gaining commitment of individuals to align with the already identified organisational strategic direction.
Guideline word count: 1,050 – 1,100 words
A.C. 4.1 – Determine influencing methodologies that can gain the commitment of individuals to strategy
A.C. 4.2 – Critically discuss the impact of individual dynamics, interests and organisational politics on securing the commitment of individuals to strategy
Learners are required to complete all tasks.
Assignment Guidelines
All work must be submitted in a single electronic document (.doc file). This should go to the tutor and Centre Manager/Programme Director, plus one hard copy posted to the Centre Manager.
The assignment must be the Learner’s own work and not copies of theories or models. Direct quotes should be kept to a minimum, and shown in inverted commas. Models described and other quotes used must be properly attributed and referenced as appropriate. Learners must acknowledge or reference any sources that have been used to complete the assignment, listing reference material and web sites used.
Learners are encouraged to produce a reflective statement of no more than 300 words (which does not count towards the final word count), describing the value and knowledge gained from undertaking this assignment. The reflective statement is not assessed; however it encourages you to review the value and application of your learning.
Overall word count guide: 2500 – 4500
Plagiarism and Collusion
In submitting the assignment Learner’s must complete a statement of authenticity confirming that the work submitted for all tasks is their own. The statement should also include the word count.
Plagiarism and collusion are treated very seriously. Plagiarism involves presenting work, excerpts, ideas or passages of another author without appropriate referencing and attribution. Collusion occurs when two or more learners submit work which is so alike in ideas, content, wording and/or structure that the similarity goes beyond what might have been mere coincidence.
Appendices
Separate Appendices should not be used. Any use of tables, graphs, diagrams, Gantt chart and flowcharts etc. that support the main report should be incorporated into the back of the assignment report that is submitted. Any published secondary information such as annual reports and company literature, should be referenced in the main text of the assignment but not included.
Confidentiality
Where a Learner is using organisational information that deals with sensitive material or issues, they must seek the advice and permission from that organisation about its inclusion. Where confidentiality is an issue, Learners are advised to anonymise their assignment report so that it cannot be attributed to that particular organisation.
Word Count Policy
In total, the assignment report should be between 2500 – 4500 words. Learners must comply with the required word count, within a margin of +10%.These rules exclude the index (if used), headings and information contained within references and bibliographies. When an assessment task requires learners to produce presentation slides with supporting notes, the word count applies to the supporting notes only.
Referencing and Professionalism
A professional approach to work is expected from all learners. Learners must therefore identify and acknowledge ALL sources/methodologies/applications used. The learner must use an appropriate referencing system to achieve this. Marks are not awarded for the use of English; however the learner must express ideas clearly and ensure that appropriate terminology is used to convey accuracy in meaning.
Submission of Assignments
All work to be submitted on the due date as per Centre advice.
All work must be submitted in a single electronic document (.doc file). This should go to the tutor and Centre Manager/Programme Director, plus one hard copy posted to the Centre Manager.
