MGT502 Optimising Operations and Change A2

5.1 Summary of assessment

The Individual Assessment for this module consists of two assessments. You will be paired with a fellow student to undertake the second assignment.

Assessment 1 is focused on optimising the operations of a simulated business from the perspective of a business leader who specifies the requirements for change. Within this assessment Assignment 1 involves analysing, contextualizing and specifying this requirement for change, including the need for change and the readiness for change, in the form of a written report which should be reflectively supported through the application of appropriate organizational change theory. This report is both uploaded to turn it in and delivered to your paired student colleague to brief them for their assessment 2 task.

Assessment 2 is focused on you as the consultant change project manager responsible for delivering a sustained change that addresses the need for organizational optimisation that your fellow student has specified in assessment 1. Within this assessment you will deliver Assignment 2 which will specify your change approach in the form of a written report, again reflectively supported through the application of appropriate organizational change theory. This report is uploaded to turn it in and provided to your paired student colleague and your seminar tutor to prepare them for the simulation role play.

Assessment 3 . The presentation simulation is a role play that supports Assessment 2. This involves two reflective discussions between yourself and your paired student colleague about the challenges you faced, firstly in your role as Organisational Leader in Assessment 1 and secondly as Consultant Change Manager in assessment 2. Each discussion should take no longer than 8 mins, the conversation will be stopped after 15 mins. In the absence of a paired student, a single student can talk directly to their tutor.

5.2 Detailed description of assessment

5.2.1 Formative assessment – In your Reflective Journal describe an organization in need of change. 300 -500 words Week 3

Through research and cases studies discussed within the module synthesize a 300 -500 word description of a simulated organization or functional department (e.g. finance) in need of change (can be real with a name change and a disclaimer). The description should include a basic description of its market, ownership, competition and operations.

The description can be extended to include diagnosis of external drivers acting on the business operations that may cause it to optimise operations through a significant transformation.

You can further extend your description to add a diagnostic analysis (upto 800 words) for the need to change, using the tools we have explored in previous weeks

You can further extend your description to add a proposed operational outcome (upto 300 words) arise from the diagnostic analysis, using the tools we have explored in previous weeks

Print a copy off and bring to week 3 seminar where it will be critically reviewed by your paired student colleague. You will reciprocate with a critical review of their organisation description and optional change requirement.

This description could form a foundation for your Assignment 1.

5.2.2 Assessment 1: Written basis for change with considerations

45% TMM individual submission (2500 words +- 10% maximum) Due week 6 Sunday 6th March at 23.59 (late submissions will be allowed up to the following Wednesday and will be capped at 40%) .

Based upon the description of the organisation you have simulated in the formative assessment 1 you will write an illustrated report from the perspective of a leader of this organisation (for example you are the new CEO) who has recognised the need for optimising its operations and are initiating a project to achieve and sustain a correspondingly improved outcome for the business. You will also assess the readiness of the organisation to undertake the change associated with the proposed optimisation of its operations. Throughout your report you will reflectively support your analysis with reference to theoretical structures and models that are based upon discussions within the module and your own independent research.

A draft format for the report might include:

1. Introduction and description of the organisation – 400 words

If based on real companies names and people should be renamed and add disclaimer

1. Analysis of internal or external driven needs for change - 800 words

Could be wk 2 -pestle and swot or burke litwin

1. The optimisation outcome to be achieved - 300 words

Needs to be efficiency cost cutting strategy as wk 3 delayering,

1. The readiness of the organisation to change - 600 words

Look at the force field analysis then maybe the wk3 readiness method

1. Your readiness as a leader to lead change - 400 words

Look at your preparedness, have you written a vision statement wk4 for the change?

References

Optional Appendices

Marking Rubric follows next page