Overview of assessment tasks
Each task in this assessment brief has been developed to enable you to evidence achievement of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria for CMI 524: Conducting a Management Project. Each of the assessment criteria must gain a pass outcome for you to successfully achieve the unit.
Preparation for the assessment
Before you begin the assessment brief please read the CMI 524 unit specification thoroughly as only the content related to the achievement of the assessment criteria will be assessed.
Research the topics being assessed. Suggested reading/web resources are provided on the CMI 524 unit specification. Your tutor may signpost you to relevant resources. Additionally, you may access excellent online resources at ManagementDirect https://members.md.cmi.org.uk. Please note that if you have a customised site the link will differ, please contact your Centre for clarification.
If you are enrolled on the Trailblazer Apprenticeship programme you are encouraged to review the Apprenticeship Standard for Operations/Departmental Manager.
Completing the assessment brief
The assessment brief contains a series of tasks which are clearly referenced to the relevant assessment criteria and indicative content.
Refer to the Assessment Guidance Table at the end of the assessment brief which outlines the requirements for a Pass or Refer.
Evidence must be provided in the evidence booklet. Additional work based evidence such as plans or documentation (which has been referred to within the main text) should be included at the end of the booklet marked ‘Work Based Evidence’. Appendices are not a requirement of this assessment brief. If appendices are included these will not be marked or moderated by the CMI.
Work based evidence must be accompanied by a supporting statement in the learner evidence box, to explain the link to the assessment criteria. Work based evidence (where required by the task) must not exceed SIX (6) pages. Files embedded in the booklet must not exceed 10MB.
The evidence booklet must be completed in a professional manner (e.g. applying business conventions for writing formal reports) and by using Microsoft Word, Rich Text Format or another compatible software programme and not in a PDF format.
An appropriate referencing system (such as Harvard Referencing) must be used to ensure the original source(s) of quotations or models can be verified.
Finally, you must sign the Learner Authenticity statement (an electronic signature is accepted).
Learner support
For information regarding policies and procedures for assessment (e.g. special assessment arrangements, learner support, appeals, complaints, certification, confidentiality, plagiarism) you should contact your tutor or Centre manager and refer to the CMI Level 5 in Management and Leadership syllabus.
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Introducing assessment Brief CMI 524
Research into approaches to management and leadership can lead to dynamic results. Innovation, product development, performance improvement, change, customer service excellence, strategy and problem solving are just some of the results. Without research business can stagnate.
This assessment brief has been designed to enable learners to conduct management research which will have an impact on organisational practice. It is expected that learners will plan and manage a genuine project in the workplace or an academic enquiry relevant to an identified business need or challenge.
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assessment tasks and WORD COUNT
Assessment brief CMI 524 features the following assessment tasks. Further detail is provided against each assessment task within the brief.
Assessment Task
Learning outcomes covered by assessment method
Assessment criteria
Guideline word count
1
Write a proposal for the management project
LO 1 Know how to plan a management project
1.1 Develop the aim, objectives and scope of the proposed management project
Approx. 1500 words
1.2 Specify a research approach for the proposed management project
1.3 Specify the research methods to be used to collect data and information
1.4 Analyse the role of stakeholders involved in the management project
1.5 Examine the factors that need to be considered when developing a plan for the management project
2
Write a research report with recommendations
LO 2 Be able to conduct a management project
2.1 Conduct research to deliver the management project
Approx. 3500 words
NB. Summary of research (AC2.1) should not exceed SIX (6) pages
2.2 Analyse and interpret research findings using relevant tools and techniques
2.3 Use research findings to analyse options to meet the project aim
2.4 Draw conclusions and propose recommendations
Guideline word count
The written word, however generated and recorded, is still expected to form the majority of assessable work produced by Learners at Level 5. The amount and volume of work for this unit should be broadly comparable to a word count of 4500-5000 words within a margin of +/-10%. The excessive use of word count is not grounds for referral, however the CMI reserve the right to return work to the Centre for editing and resubmission by the Learner.
The following are excluded from inclusion in word count, if used and not required by the assessment brief an introduction to a job role, organisation or department, index or contents pages, headings and sub headings, diagrams, charts and graphs, reference list or bibliography, reflective statement drawn from undertaking the assignment and how this has impacted on the learner’s work.
Please see the CMI Assessment Guidance Policy for further guidance.
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important note
There are TWO (2) options to complete the management project. You only need to choose ONE (1) option.
OPTION 1: In your role as a manager you are required to conduct management research for an identified business need or challenge for an organisation you know well or have researched.
OR
OPTION 2: Basing your response on ONE (1) of the scenarios shown below, you may carry out an academic enquiry relevant to the identified business need or challenge.
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scenario a
You have been asked to lead a stakeholder group that has been formed to review the services and support given to customers. It is a challenging remit as there is a likelihood that services will need to be cut or changed.
The group comprises of internal and external stakeholders. This includes two team leaders who are based off-site, a finance officer, an equalities officer, a representative from the senior management team and three customers. There is also representation from a national consumer group who attend to represent customer interests.
The review of services and support given to customers must be completed within a six month period.
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scenario B
Staff turnover within your organisation has been a constant issue over the past three years. People have been leaving for a number of reasons. Those leaving include those who have been long term staff members as well as staff who have been employed for less than three months.
A group has been formed to look at potential strategies, which could be used to retain talent and improve retention, and you have been asked to lead this group.
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scenario C
You have just been appointed as the customer services manager for an organisation, which makes a range of luxury products.
The organisation currently operates as a trade only supplier, however the senior management team has been considering the option of launching a new product line, which could be sold to the public via retail outlets and online.
Research is required into the impact of this move for the customer services department.
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scenario D
You work for a large manufacturer. Its primary market is in the UK but it also sells to European based companies and the US. It has a wide range of internal and external stakeholders including staff, customers, business functions, departments, shareholders, partners, regulators and suppliers.
The company has various strategic business units and departments including a design shop, distribution centre, workshop, administrative and management centre and a customer service centre.
The company has built a reputation for high quality products and is now looking to improve the quality of service offered by other departments.
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scenario E
You have been engaged as a consultant by a small business that has seen a significant growth in sales over the past year.
The business has had to employ a number of permanent staff for the first time.
To date the business has operated informally with a number of associates, who were friends of the owner helping out during busy periods. However, with the growth in sales and the arrival of permanent staff members, the owner has asked for guidance on ways of organising the business more formally without losing flexibility and the ability to adapt to changes in demand.
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planning a management project
A research proposal is an important document for any manager who plans to undertake a management project. The proposal is a concise, written document that sets out the central issue or question they intend to address, considers the research approach and methods, the role of stakeholders and the factors that could impact on the development of the plan.
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Task 1
You are required to write a research proposal or business case. The proposal will be presented to senior management for review and approval and must consist of FOUR (4) sections, as follows:
A. Research project scope
Develop the aim, objectives and scope of the proposed management project for an identified business need or challenge (AC1.1)
B. Research approach
Using recognised theory, specify a research approach for the management project (AC1.2)
Specify the research methods to be used to collect data and information (AC1.3)
C. Stakeholder involvement
Analyse the role of stakeholders involved in the management project (AC1.4)
D. Factors influencing the development of a plan
Examine factors that need to be considered when developing a plan for the management project (AC1.5)
Guidance for completion of Task 1
You may base your response on ONE (1) of the scenarios shown on pages 3-4 or on an identified business need or challenge for an organisation you know well or have researched.
The proposal should include sub headings. You may choose to include tables and diagrams (as appropriate) to support your discussion.
Your discussion should be underpinned with relevant theoretical principles.
Please refer to the indicative content for each of the assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification.
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conducting a management project
Once a detailed proposal for a research project has been approved, it is the responsibility of the manager to ensure that the project is conducted according to the proposal. There is a discipline to be learned in implementing the project systematically and in line with the stated aims and objectives. The manager has a responsibility to communicate findings and propose relevant and feasible recommendations.
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Task 2
You are required to write a research project report to be presented to the senior management team.
The research project report must consist of FOUR (4) sections, as follows:
A. Research
Conduct research to deliver the management project (AC2.1)
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: The summary of the research conducted to deliver the management project can be presented in two ways
Option 1: Include the document(s) in the Work Based Evidence section of the evidence booklet for this unit (separate document). Evidence must not exceed SIX (6) A4 pages.
OR
Option 2: Provide your evidence as separate document(s) outside of this assessment booklet.
NB: Where separate documents are provided they must not exceed 10MB in size and must be saved as PDF documents. Evidence must not exceed SIX (6) A4 pages.
B. Research findings
Analyse and interpret research findings using relevant tools and techniques (AC2.2)
C. Options analysis
Use research findings to analyse options to meet the project aim (AC2.3)
D. Conclusions and recommendations
Draw conclusions and propose recommendations (AC2.4)
Guidance for completion of Task 2
You may base your response on ONE (1) of the scenarios shown on pages 3-4 or on an organisation you know well or have researched.
The research report should include sub headings. You are encouraged to include tables and diagrams (as appropriate) to support your discussion.
Your discussion should be underpinned with relevant theoretical principles.
Please refer to the indicative content for each of the assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification.
SUMMARY OF RESEARCH
IF YOU CHOOSE THIS OPTION COPY AND PASTE THIS EVIDENCE TABLE INTO THE EVIDENCE BOOKLET. DO NOT PRESENT ANY EVIDENCE IN THE ASSIGNMENT BRIEF.
Description:
Please briefly describe the type of research that is being presented to meet the requirements of this task.
Please indicate how you have presented evidence for this task (please tick box):
Document uploaded to Work Based Evidence section of the evidence booklet
Documents are provided separately in the evidence booklet. Document name(s):_____________________________________________________
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Assessment Guidance
Refer
Pass
The submission is incomplete
Tasks are incomplete
Not all assessment criteria have been met
No examples are used or the examples given do not match the requirements of the assessment criteria
Evidence is
Unclear
Technically incorrect or inaccurate
Biased
Unprofessional language
Poorly structured and presented
Ideas are under-developed
Lacks sufficient detail to show understanding of the topic
The application of different perspectives, approaches or schools of thought is unclear or inappropriate
Little or no evaluation of evidence has taken place
The ability to make judgments and solve complex problems has not been evidenced
Evidence is not directly attributable to the learner
External sources of information are not acknowledged
Work based evidence or artefacts (e.g. planning documents or presentation slides) do not meet the requirements of the assessment criteria and are not current (within 5 years)
All tasks have been completed
All assessment criteria have been met
Examples given are well chosen and match the requirements of the assessment criteria
Evidence is
Well written and presented
Contains a breadth of examples
Accurate
Current (e.g. use of up to date legislation)
Authentic
Inclusive
Coherent
Credible
Technically correct
Evidence shows understanding and application of different perspectives, approaches or schools of thought and the reasoning behind them.
Evidence shows the learners ability to evaluate evidence and solve problems to achieve set outcomes.
Evidence used from external sources has been correctly referenced
Evidence is directly attributable to the learner
Work based evidence or artefacts (e.g. planning documents or presentation slides) match the requirements of the assessment criteria and are current (within 5 years)
Example Answer (Do Not Copy, It`s Plagiarised)
1.1 Develop the aim, objectives and scope of the proposed management project
Aim
The aim of the proposed management project is to evaluate and enhance the operational efficiency of [specific department/organisation], with a focus on improving resource allocation, process optimisation, and overall performance. The project seeks to identify key areas of inefficiency, propose actionable strategies for improvement, and implement a framework for ongoing monitoring and assessment.
Objectives
Analyse Current Operations: Conduct a comprehensive review of the existing operational processes within [specific department/organisation] to identify bottlenecks, redundancies, and inefficiencies.
Benchmark Performance: Compare the current performance metrics with industry standards and best practices to establish a clear understanding of where improvements are needed.
Engage Stakeholders: Collaborate with key stakeholders, including employees, management, and external partners, to gather insights and perspectives on current challenges and potential solutions.
Develop Improvement Strategies: Formulate a set of targeted strategies aimed at optimising resource use, reducing waste, and enhancing productivity across the organisation.
Implement and Monitor Changes: Oversee the implementation of the proposed strategies and establish a monitoring system to track progress, making adjustments as necessary to ensure sustained improvements.
Evaluate Outcomes: Assess the impact of the implemented changes on operational efficiency and overall organisational performance, and make recommendations for further refinements.
Scope
The scope of this project encompasses the following areas:
Operational Processes: The project will cover all major processes within the [specific department/organisation], including workflow management, resource allocation, and inter-departmental coordination.
Stakeholder Engagement: The project will involve consultations with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that all relevant perspectives are considered in the analysis and strategy development phases.
Performance Metrics: The project will focus on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as time efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and output quality, aligning them with industry benchmarks.
Implementation and Monitoring: The scope includes not only the development of improvement strategies but also their implementation, ongoing monitoring, and post-implementation evaluation.
Timeframe: The project will be conducted over a [specific duration, e.g., six-month] period, with specific milestones set for each phase of the project.
Resource Allocation: The project will take into account the availability of resources, including personnel, budget, and technology, ensuring that proposed solutions are feasible within existing constraints.
This project will be focused on delivering tangible improvements in operational efficiency, with a clear emphasis on sustainable and scalable outcomes.