Introduction

Your knowledge and understanding of the material covered in this specialist unit will be assessed by the submission of an assessment.

You will write four answers of approximately 1000 words to the questions posed and submit them together in a single document. This constitutes your assessment for this unit. The total word count for the assessment will therefore be 4000 words, plus or minus 10%. The bibliography, list of references and essential appendixes (if applicable) are not included in the total word count – but the latter must be kept to a minimum across all assessments.

You must demonstrate within the submitted evidence (through headings and sub-headings) which learning outcomes and assessment criteria have been cited. We are unable to moderate your work if this is not included.

As this is an Advanced Diploma, it is important that you are able to demonstrate not only good knowledge and understanding of the material associated with each learning outcome, but also the ability to develop an original argument and justify it persuasively with reference to wider reading. Examples of approaches taken in a range of organisations are also an effective means by which to justify your arguments.

The six main criteria that CIPD requires centres to use when marking the assignments are outlined below, but it may be that not all these criteria are present in every question.

(1) focus

(2) depth and breadth of understanding

(3) strategic application and professional advice

(4) research and wider reading

(5) persuasiveness and originality

(6) presentation and language

Assessment questions

There is considerable evidence that management and leadership capability are paramount to organisational performance. Considering the social, economic and digital upheaval that we have all to some extent experienced over the last few years, the Learning and Skills at Work Survey 2021 concludes that if learning is to positively impact business performance, it must get much closer to the business. As such, the L&D strategy should be aligned with the business priorities and be clear about the way learning adds value to the organisation. The survey reports that the need for learning and development is greater than ever putting the L&D professional in the spotlight. CIPD (2021).

In view of this you recognise the need to review the development of managers and leaders, updating your knowledge in this area, as a way of contributing to your organisation’s success. To demonstrate this capability, you are required to answer the following questions, fully justifying all points and recommendations made.

Question 1 (AC 1.2 & 1.3)

Critically analyse with two different organisational examples, to what extent the structure and culture of an organisation can impact the role of managers and leaders and how this can influence their learning and development needs.

Question 2 (AC 2.2 & 2.3)

Critically evaluate informal as opposed to formal learning interventions, that can be used to develop managers and leaders, recommending one formal and one informal technique that could be used to develop specific managerial and leadership competencies within your organisation or one with which you are familiar.

Question 3 (AC 3.2 & 3.3)

Critically evaluate two evaluation models that could be used to measure the impact of leadership and management development within your organisation, or one with which you are familiar, considering the challenges associated with impact measurement.

Question 4 (AC 4.3 & 4.4)

Critically analyse what additional competencies are required for managers working internationally, discussing the challenges that might arise when delivering leadership and management development across cultural and geographical boundaries.

Marking Grid

Learners will receive a Pass, Merit, Distinction or Refer/Fail result at unit level.

Assessors must provide a mark from 1 to 4 for each Learning Outcome in the unit. Assessors should use the generic grade descriptor grid as guidance so they can provide comprehensive feedback that is developmental for learners. Please be aware that not all of the generic grade descriptors will be present in every learning outcome for all the assignments, so assessors must use their discretion in making grading decisions.

To pass the unit assessment learners must achieve a 2 (Pass) or above for each of the learning outcomes.

The overall mark achieved will dictate the Grade the learner receives for the Unit, provided NONE of the learning outcomes have been failed or referred. A detailed marking grid will be released once the 4 questions are published.