UNIT CMI 605 Assessment Brief: Innovation and Change

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 605: Innovation and Change. 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 605 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 605 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/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fdefault.aspx.
• 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).

INTRODUCING ASSESSMENT BRIEF CMI 605

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 605 has been designed to enable learners to understand innovation and change within organisational contexts. It explores the rationale for innovation and change, such as the impact of technology and digitalisation. Most importantly it focuses on the know how’s, values and behaviours that will ultimately equip the professional leader and manager to drive innovation and change successfully.

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 3500-4000 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.

INNOVATION AND CHANGE

Understanding innovation and change within organisational contexts is an essential requirement for the professional manager and leader. The key to this understanding is having an appreciation of the reasons for innovation and change within different organisational contexts and the types of management approaches, behaviours and values which support its delivery.

Task 1 has been developed to enable learners to evidence their understanding of innovation and change within an organisational context.

TASK 1

There are TWO (2) options for completing Task 1. You may write a report OR a reflective account entitled:

‘Innovation and change within an organisational context’

The report or reflective account should focus on well-chosen examples of innovation and change within an organisation you know well or have researched. The report or reflective account must include reference to theories and models. It must be presented in THREE (3) sections.

1a. The rationale for innovation and change

To complete this section, you are required to explore the rationale for innovation and change within an organisation you know well or have researched. (AC1.1)

1b. Management and leadership approaches, behaviours and values required to drive innovation and change

To completed this section, you are required to investigate the management and leadership approaches, behaviours and values required to drive the innovation and change as outlined in 1a. (AC1.2)

Your response must include:

• A minimum of THREE (3) management and leadership approaches to drive innovation and change
• A minimum of FOUR (4) behaviours and values essential for a manger and leader to drive innovation and change.

1c. Approaches to change and innovation

To complete this section of the report, you are required to critically appraise:

1. A minimum of THREE (3) approaches to change with reference to traditional and contemporary thinking. (AC1.3)
2. A minimum of TWO (2) approaches to innovation with reference to theoretical concepts. (AC1.4)

Important note: Your response must include reference to tradition and contemporary models. The models should be contextualised and should not simply described or replicated.

Guidance for completion of Task 1

• The report or reflective account should include subheadings. You may choose to include tables and diagrams (as appropriate) to support your discussion.
• Your report or reflective account should be underpinned with relevant theoretical concepts
• You may include well-chosen examples from an organisation you know well or have researched.
• Please refer to the indicative content for each assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification.

TASK 2

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

Option 1: 

You are required to produce a management report entitled:

‘Innovation and change within an organisational context’
The management report must be based on a programme of innovation and change within an organisation you know well or have researched. It must be presented in THREE (3) sections.

2a. The opportunity for innovation and change

You are required to research and evaluate an opportunity for innovation and change. (AC2.1)

2b. Implementation strategy and plan to manage the innovation and change process

You are required to formulate an implementation strategy and plan to manage the innovation and change process.(AC2.2)

2c. Approaches to review the impact of innovation and change

To complete this section of the report, you are required to recommend a minimum of FOUR (4) approaches to reviewing the impact of innovation and change (AC2.3).

Please Note: It is not sufficient just to describe a model, tool or technique. Some critical reflection on the relevance of a model, tool or technique in an organisational context is required.

Option 2

You are required to produce a proposal for a client of your choice outlined in the scenario above entitled:

‘A proposal for innovation and change’

The proposal must be presented in THREE (3) sections.

2a. The opportunity for innovation and change

You are required to research and evaluate an opportunity for innovation and change. (AC2.1)

2b. Implementation strategy and plan to manage the innovation and change process

You are required to formulate an implementation strategy and plan to manage the innovation and change process.(AC2.2)2c. Approaches to review the impact of innovation and change

To complete this section of the report, you are required to recommend a minimum of FOUR (4) approaches to reviewing the impact of innovation and change (AC2.3).

Guidance for completion of Task 2

• You must outline the context for the management report or proposal completed.
• The report or proposal should include sub headings. You may choose to include tables and diagrams (as appropriate) to support your discussion.
• The report or proposal should be underpinned with relevant theoretical concepts and models
• You may include good practice examples from an organisation you know well or have researched.
• Refer to the indicative content for each assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification.