Unit 4: Management and Operations Assignment Brief

Assignment Title: Understanding and analysing business management and operations.

Introduction

This unit is designed to introduce students to the principles of management and leadership. They will understand the characteristics, behaviours and traits which support effective leadership and management. The unit will also introduce the concept of operations management. While they will learn the underpinning theories and frameworks, they will also be able to relate these to real-world examples, including how to make positive and effective contributions to their own organisations.

Edexcel Grading Criteria

This assignment/portfolio will be assessed according to the following grading criteria:

To attain a ‘PASS‘ grade, learners need to achieve all the ‘PASS‘ criteria.
To attain a ‘MERIT‘ grade, learners need to achieve all the ‘MERIT‘ criteria, along with all the ‘PASS’ criteria.
To attain a ‘DISTINCTION‘ grade, learners need to achieve all the ‘DISTINCTION’ criteria, along with all the ‘MERIT’ and PASS criteria.

Plagiarism and collusion

Any act of plagiarism and collusion will be seriously dealt with according to the City College Limited regulations. In this context the definition and scope of plagiarism are presented below:

information or inspiration. Even if the words are changed or sentences are put in a different order, the result is still plagiarism (Cortell 2003).

two or more parties. Additionally, collaboration entails the sharing of one person‘s work with others who submit either all or part of their coursework ―as their own.

Learning outcomes and assessment criteria:

Learning outcomes

Assessment criteria for Pass

Assessment criteria

for Merit

Assessment criteria for Distinction

LO1 Differentiate between the role of a leader and the function of a manager.

P1 Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager.

M1 Analyse and differentiate between the role of a leader and function of a manager by effectively applying a range of theories and concepts.

LO1 & 2

D1Critically analyse and evaluate the different theories and approaches to leadership in given contexts

LO2 Apply the role of a leader and the function of a manager in given contexts.

P2 Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in different situational contexts.

P3 Apply different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems leadership and contingency.

M2 Assess the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to situations within the work environment.

LO3 Demonstrate an appreciation of the role leaders and managers play in the operations and functions of an

organisation

P4 Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers play. P5 Explain the importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives.

M3 Evaluate how leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational management to successfully meet business objectives.

LO3 & 4

D2 Critically evaluate application of

operations

management and

factors that impact on the wider business environment.

LO4 Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between leadership and management in a contemporary business

environment

P6 Assess the factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management and decision-making by leaders and managers.

M4 Analyse how these different factors affect

the business environment and wider community.

Unit 4 Task 1 LO1 Leadership and Management Concepts – Individual written report (P1/M1)

The first element of the assignment is in the form of an individual written report. This should be written in a concise, formal business style using single spacing and font size 12. Please make use of headings, paragraphs and subsections as appropriate. All work must be supported with research and referenced using the Harvard referencing system. The recommended word limit for this task is 600 – 800 words.

The report should be based on your own organisation or one that you are familiar with. Your report should begin with an introduction to your chosen organisation and its management structure.

Going further the report Define and compare the roles and characteristics of both managers and leaders, highlighting the difference between management and leadership (P1).

Leaders paint a picture of what they see as possible and inspire and engage their people in turning that vision into reality. They think beyond what individuals do. They activate people to be part of something bigger. They know that high-functioning teams can accomplish a lot more working together than individuals working autonomously.

Managers focus on setting, measuring and achieving goals. They control situations to reach or exceed their objectives.

1.2 By applying a range of theories and concepts of leadership and management, analyse and differentiate between a leader’s roles and a manager’s functions (M1).

Task 2 LO2 (Applications of the role of a leader and function of a manager) (P2, P3, M2, D1)

This tasks will be submitted in the form of a report. This should be written in a concise, formal business style using single spacing and font size 12. Please make use of headings, paragraphs and subsections as appropriate. All work must be supported with research and referenced using the Harvard referencing system. The recommended word limit is 1000 – 1200 words.

2.1 Give examples of at least two different situational contexts and examine how the role of a leader and the function of a manager is applied in organisations (P2).

2.2 Explain how theories such as situational leadership, systems leadership and contingency apply to the organisation and how these have supported growth and sustainable performance (P3).

2.3 Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different management approaches to situations within the work environment of your selected organization (M2).

2.4 Within the context of your selected organisation as an example, critically analyse and evaluate the different theories and approaches to leadership discussed above in terms of their purposefulness and utility. Identify any leadership gaps and suggest which leadership approach would work better for the organisation and why (D1).

Task 3 LO3 (Leaders and Operations Management) (P4, P5, M3)

This task will be submitted in the form of a 10-minute individual PowerPoint presentation and 5 minutes allocated for questions. Presentation slides and speaker notes should be handed in at the time of the presentation. You are required to make effective use of PowerPoint slides with headings, paragraphs and subsections as appropriate. Your research should be referenced using the Harvard referencing system. The recommended word limit for this task is 700 – 1000 words, including speaker notes.

The presentation should be based on examples from a selected organisation of your choice or one that you are familiar with.

The presentation slides should cover the following areas:

3.1 An introduction to the key operations of your selected organisation.

3.2 Within the context of leadership and management, identify and explain the key approaches to operations management and the role which leaders and managers play (P4).

3.3 How operations management contributes in achieving organizational objectives? Explain with supported examples (P5).

3.4 With the help of suitable examples, evaluate the role of leaders and managers in improving efficiencies of operational management to successfully meet business objectives (M3).

Unit 4 Task 4 LO4 (Leadership and management in a contemporary business environment) (P6, M4, D2)

These tasks will be submitted in the form of a report. This should be written in a concise, formal business style using single spacing and font size 12. Please make use of headings, paragraphs and subsections as appropriate. All work must be supported with research and referenced using the Harvard referencing system. The recommended word limit for this task is 800 – 1000 words.

4.1 With the help of suitable examples, assess the factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management and decision-making by leaders and managers. (P6).

4.3 Analyse how different factors affect the business environment and wider community (M4).

4.3 Critically evaluate the key approaches used for managing operations in organisations and the associated roles played by managers and leaders (D2).

Learner Guidelines

Each unit will be graded as a Pass, Merit or Distinction. A Pass is awarded for the achievement of all outcomes against the specified assessment criteria based mostly on DESCRIPTIVE content. Merit and Distinction grades are awarded for higher-level achievement which includes degrees of CRITICAL THINKING, ANALYSIS & EVALUATION – these are higher level skills that you should work on over the period of your programme.

We aim to return all marked work within 4 weeks of submission.