MAN-40355 Achieving Excellence through Managing Operations Assessment 1 Brief | Keele University

MAN-40355 Assessment Brief 2025-2026

Assessment Details:

You are required to produce a 2,000-word report analysing how financial management contributes to achieving operational excellence within an organisation of your choice (or one agreed with your tutor). Your report should examine how financial decision-making, governance, and performance measurement influence the efficiency, agility, and sustainability of operations.

In your report, you should focus on the following key areas:

• Financial planning and resource allocation – How financial strategies enable operational success.
• Cost control and efficiency – The role of budgeting, cost management, and financial performance measures.
• Financial governance and risk management – The importance of compliance, financial controls, and strategic investment in maintaining operational excellence.
• Decision-making and integration – How financial insights inform operational improvements and align with broader organisational goals.

You should support your arguments with relevant theories, frameworks, case studies, and academic literature. Further detailed guidance will be provided during workshops and posted on the KLE.

Module Learning Outcomes: 

In this assessment, the following module learning outcomes will be assessed:

• ILO1: Synthesise financial, marketing, and operational strategies in order to contribute to achieving excellence in an organisation.
• ILO2: Evaluate financial management strategies, including financial governance, decision-making techniques, and regulatory requirements, within the broader context of achieving operational and strategic excellence.

Assessment Criteria:

This assessment will be marked using the University’s Generic Assessment Criteria. Link to the University’s Generic Assessment criteria with specific marking rubrics is as follows. Generic Assessment Criteria - Level 7 - June 2023.pdf (keele.ac.uk) 

Feedback to Students:

Feedback will be provided via Turnitin within 15 working days of submission. Written feedback will highlight strengths, areas for improvement, and feed-forward advice for future assessments.

Inclusive Practice:

This assessment has been designed to be inclusive by allowing you to select an organisation of your choice (or one relevant to your professional interests). You may also choose how you structure your report, as long as the required focus areas are addressed. Support will be provided through workshops, one-to-one tutorials, and access to a wide range of digital resources to ensure flexibility for diverse learning needs.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

All students can use assistive AI tools to check spelling, grammar and punctuation (i.e., use of in-built spell checkers) in all written assessments, excluding examinations and class tests, unless advised otherwise. Kindly refer to ‘Using GenAI in Assessment Scale’ annex within the Assessment and Feedback Code of Practice 

Academic Misconduct:

Academic misconduct is doing something that could give you an unfair advantage in an assessment.  It includes, but is not limited to, the following: plagiarism; collusion; contract cheating; cheating in an examination; falsification of data or sources; falsification of official documents or signatures. The University treats academic misconduct very seriously and penalties will be given for proven cases, including termination of studies in serious cases. It is therefore very important that you understand how to prepare and take assessments honestly. In order to assist you with this, there are various resources and help available both as part of your programme of study and also centrally. For more information, please visit: Keele University Academic and learning support 

Academic Skills Support: 

The Academic and Digital Skills team provides a range of additional online resources (e.g., study guides, Sways, Podcasts, workshops, etc) to help you with your academic work and assessments. You can find more information here. 

Additional information:

• The report should not exceed 2,000 words (excluding references, appendices, and tables).
• Use proper referencing style for all sources.
• The report must be submitted electronically via Turnitin on the KLE by the published deadline.
• You are encouraged to use real-world case examples and academic literature to strengthen your arguments.
• Drafting opportunities and formative feedback will be provided during workshops to support your progress.