Preparation for the assessment

Each task in this assessment brief has been developed to enable you to evidence achievement of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria for CMI 501: Principles of Management and Leadership in an Organisational Context. Each of the assessment criteria must gain a pass outcome for you to successfully achieve the unit.

• Before you begin the assessment brief please read the CMI 501 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 501 unit specification. Your tutor may signpost you to relevant resources. Additionally, you may access excellent online resources at ManagementDirect https://members.md.cmi.org.uk. Please note that if you have a customised site the link will differ, please contact your Centre for clarification.
• If you are enrolled on the Trailblazer Apprenticeship programme you are encouraged to review the Apprenticeship Standard for Operations/Departmental Manager.

Completing the assessment brief

• This 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 this 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 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). CMI 501: Principles of Management and Leadership in an Organisational Context.

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 5 in Management and Leadership syllabus. CMI 501: Principles of Management and Leadership in an Organisational Context.

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 501 has been designed to enable learners to evidence their ability to understand the impact of an organisations structure and governance on management and leadership. Learners will evidence how theoretical models, management and leadership approaches and styles can be applied in work settings. They will review the knowledge, skills and behaviours to be effective in the role and propose how a culture of mutual trust, respect and support can be developed in teams. CMI 501: Principles of Management and Leadership in an Organisational Context.

Assessment brief 501 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 5. 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. Please see the CMI Assessment Guidance Policy for further guidance. CMI 501: Principles of Management and Leadership in an Organisational Context.

Understanding the principles of management and leadership within an organisational context is dependent on many factors. Managers need to have a thorough understanding of an organisation’s internal environment (such as its legal status, structure, management roles, mission and vision and values and ethics). These factors influence organisational governance and management decision making. Once this is understood managers then need to be able to apply relevant leadership and management theories to different contexts and situations.

A manager who has an in-depth understanding of the principles of management and leadership will have the knowledge to lead and manage individuals, teams and projects in a variety of organisational settings.

You are required to write a report entitled ‘The principles of management and leadership within an organisational context’. This must be presented in TWO (2) sections.

A. The factors which impact on an organisation’s internal environment

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

1. Examine how the legal status of an organisation impacts on the way it is governed (AC1.1)
2. Examine how different organisational structures impact on management roles (AC1.3)
3. Analyse the purpose of an organisation’s mission and vision statements (AC1.2)
4. Discuss the impact of organisational values and ethics on management decision making (AC1.4)

B. The application of management and leadership theories in an organisational context

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

1. Evaluate the relationship between management and leadership (AC2.1)
2. Analyse how the use of different management and leadership styles impact on individuals and teams (AC2.2)
3. Discuss the influence of culture and values on the selection of management and leadership styles (AC2.3)
4. Examine how management and leadership styles can be adapted in different situations (AC2.4)

What makes a truly effective manager? Extensive research has been undertaken to identify the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by a manager to be effective in the role. When the requirements of a leader and manager are formally stipulated (e.g. within national occupational standards/apprenticeship standards and role specifications) this enables the performance of individual managers to be appraised. It also sets the standard for those aspiring to enter the management and leadership profession.

As part of the organisation’s strategy to develop a talent management programme, you are required to create a profile of a manager who has operational or departmental responsibilities. The aim of the profile is to present the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to be effective in the management and leadership role.

To complete the profile you are required to:

1. Assess the essential knowledge and skills required for a management and leadership role (AC3.1)
2. Evaluate factors which impact on the selection of communication techniques required to be effective in a management and leadership role (AC3.2)
3. Analyse the core behaviours required to be effective in a management and leadership role (AC3.3)

The application of knowledge, skills and behaviours can enable a manager to build a culture of mutual trust, respect and support with others. The approach taken by the manager to achieve this goal is dependent on having an in-depth understanding of the organisation, individuals and teams that are managed. CMI 501: Principles of Management and Leadership in an Organisational Context.

Basing your response on the scenario or an organisation you know well or have researched:

Write a proposal which outlines how you would develop an approach for building a culture of mutual trust, respect and support with teams and individuals. (AC3.4)