CMI Unit 601 Professional Management and Leadership Practice Assignment Brief

UNIT CMI 601 Assessment Brief: Professional Management and Leadership Practice

KEY INFORMATION FOR LEARNERS

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 601: Professional Management and Leadership Practice.  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 601 unit specifications 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 601 unit specification. Your tutor may signpost you to relevant resources. Additionally, you may access excellent online resources at Management Direct https://mde.managers.org.uk.
• If you are enrolled on the Trailblazer Apprenticeship programme you are encouraged to review the Apprenticeship Standard for the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship.

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.
• The evidence booklet must be saved as a word document (.doc or .docx) 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 6 in Professional Management and Leadership Practice syllabus.

INTRODUCING ASSESSMENT BRIEF CMI 601

Being equipped with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to manage and lead in a variety of organisational settings is essential if an individual and their organisation are to succeed.

Assessment brief CMI 601 has been designed to enable learners to evidence their understanding of how organisational context influences management and leadership practice. They will reflect on theoretical concepts and contemporary thinking which can be used to inform approaches to working practice.  Vitally, they will consider the knowledge, skills, values and beliefs which can transform management and leadership practice.

ASSESSMENT TASKS AND WORD COUNT

Assessment brief CMI 601 features the following assessment tasks. Further detail is provided against each assessment task within the brief.

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 6. The amount and volume of work for this unit should be broadly comparable to a word count of 3000-3500 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.

THE INFLUENCE OF ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT ON MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP PRACTICE

An application of relevant theoretical concepts and contemporary thinking is vital if managers and leaders are to not only achieve their aims and objectives, but to drive organisational strategy. The selection of management and leadership approaches, which have a positive impact in the workplace requires not only an understanding of the individuals and teams being managed, but an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the organisational context in which the individuals and teams operate within.

The aim of Task 1 is to evidence the learners understanding of how an organisations context influences management and leadership practice.

TASK 1 

You are required to write a report entitled:

‘The influence of organisational context on management and leadership practice with reference to theoretical concepts and contemporary thinking’

The report must discuss the influence of organisational context on management and leadership practice with reference to:

• a minimum of THREE (3) traditional theoretical concepts for management and leadership
• a minimum of THREE (3) contemporary thinking of management and leadership (AC1.1)

THE PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

Professional management and leadership practice is dependent on a high level of skill and expertise which can be learnt and developed over time.  To develop this successfully, professional managers and leaders need to critically reflect on the values and behaviours which underpin their practice. They must also focus on the knowledge and skills required to deliver successful organisational outcomes as well as understanding the strategies to communicate and lead others with impact.

SCENARIO A

The organisation you work for has a commitment to professional development and is spearheading the introduction of a leadership development programme. As part of the programme’s launch, you have been asked to develop a detailed profile for the professional manager and leader role which will introduce the apprentice to the requirements of the role in an engaging and compelling way. 

TASK 2 

There are TWO (2) options for completing Task 2.

Option 1

You are required to write a reflective account entitled:

‘The practices of professional management and leadership’

The reflective account must be based on your own professional practice and observed practice in an organisational context.  It must be presented in THREE (3) sections.

i. The values and behaviours which underpin professional management and leadership practice

You are required to critically reflect on a minimum of THREE (3) values and FIVE (5) behaviours which underpin professional management and leadership practice. (AC2.1)

ii. The essential knowledge and skills required for a professional manager and leader to deliver successful organisational outcomes

You are required to discuss the essential knowledge and skills required for a professional manager and leader to deliver successful outcomes for an organisation. (AC2.2)

iii. The use of communication to lead others with impact

You are required to critically appraise the use of communication to lead others with impact. (AC2.3)

OR

Option 2:

Basing your response on Scenario A, you are required to create a profile entitled:

‘The role of a professional manager and leader’

The profile must include well-chosen examples from an organisation you know well or have researched.  It must be presented in THREE (3) sections.

i. The values and behaviours which underpin professional management and leadership practice

You are required to critically reflect on a minimum of THREE (3) values and FIVE (5) behaviours which underpin professional management and leadership practice. (AC2.1)

ii. The essential knowledge and skills required for a professional manager and leader to deliver successful organisational outcomes

You are required to discuss the essential knowledge and skills required for a professional manager and leader to deliver successful organisational outcomes. (AC2.2)

iii. The use of communication to lead others with impact

You are required to critically appraise the use of communication to lead others with impact. (AC2.3)

ASSESSMENT GUIDANCE