MGT 6B4, Optimising Operations and Change 2020/21 1
5.1 Summary of assessment
The Individual Assessment for this module consists of two assessments. You will be paired
with a fellow student to undertake the second assignment.
Assessment 1 is focused on optimising the operations of a simulated business from the
perspective of a business leader who specifies the requirements for change. Within this
assessment Assignment 1 involves contextualizing and specifying this requirement for change,
including the need for change and the readiness for change, in the form of a written Leader’s
Programme Journal which should be critically supported through the application of
appropriate organizational change theory. This Journal is both uploaded to turn it in and
delivered to your paired student colleague to brief them for their assessment 2 task.
Assessment 2 is focused on you as the consultant change project manager responsible for
delivering a sustained change that addresses the need for organizational optimisation that your
fellow student has specified in assessment 1. Within this assessment you will deliver
Assignment 2 which will specify your change approach in the form of a written Consultant
Programme Journal, again critically supported through the application of appropriate
organizational change theory. This Journal is uploaded to turn it in.
The presentation simulation is a role play that supports Assessment 2. This involves two
reflective critical discussions between yourself and your paired student colleague about the
challenges you faced, firstly in your role as Organistional Leader in Assessment 1 and secondly
as Consultant Change Manager in assessment 2. Each discussion should take no longer than 4
mins, the conversation will be stopped after 8 mins. In the absence of a paired student, a
single student can talk directly to their tutor.
Assignment
Title
Weight
towards
final
grade %
Length Due
Date
Anticipated
Return
Date
1. Written
basis for
change
50% 2000
words
Week 6 Week 10
2. Consultant
report
and
presentation
simulation
40%
10%
1200
words
8 min
per pair
Week 11
Week 11 &
12
Week 13
5.2 Detailed description of assessment
5.2.1 Formative assessment Describe an organization in need of change. 300 -500 words
Week 3
MGT 6B4, Optimising Operations and Change 2020/21 2
Through research and cases studies discussed within the module synthesize a 300 word
description of a simulated organization or functional department (e.g. finance) in need of
change (can be real with a name change and a disclaimer). The description should include a
basic description of its market, ownership, competition and operations.
The description can be extended to include diagnosis of external drivers acting on the business
operations that may cause it to optimise operations through a significant transformation.
You can further extend your description to add a diagnostic assessment (upto 600 words) for
the need to change, using the tools we have explored in previous weeks
Print a copy off and bring to week 3 seminar where it will be critically reviewed by your paired
student colleague. You will reciprocate with a critical review of their organisation description
and optional change requirement.
This description will form a foundation for your Journal delivery in Assignment 1.
5.2.2 Assessment 1: Leadership Simulation and written basis for change with considerations
50% TMM individual submission (2000 words +- 10% maximum) Due week 6
Sunday 8th November at 23.59 (late submissions will be allowed up to the following
Wednesday and will be capped at 40%) .
Based upon the description of the organisation you have simulated in the formative
assessment 1 you will write an illustrated Leader’s Programme Journal from the perspective of
a leader of this organisation who has recognised the need for optimising its operations and are
therefore initiating a programme to achieve and sustain a correspondingly improved outcome
for the business. You will also assess the readiness of the organisation to undertake the change
associated with the proposed optimisation of its operations. Throughout your Journal you will
critically support your analysis with reference to theoretical structures and models based upon
discussions within the module and your own independent research.
A draft format for the Leader’s Programme Journal might include:
1. Introduction and description of the organisation – 300 words
If based on real company names and people should be renamed and add disclaimer
2. The internal or external driven needs for change – 600 words
Could be wk 2 -PESTEL then SWOT or Burke Litwin
3. The optimisation outcome to be achieved – 200 words
Needs to be efficiency cost cutting strategy as wk 3 delayering,
4. The readiness of the organisation to change – 600 words
Look at the force field analysis wk 4 then maybe the wk5 readiness method
5. Your readiness as a leader to lead change – 300 words
Reflect on your actions as Leader , critic against theory wk6, have you written a vision
statement (wk5) for the change in part 4?
References
Optional Appendices – or use diagrams within the text
Marking Rubric follows next page
MGT 6B4, Optimising Operations and Change 2020/21 3
MGT 6B4, Optimising Operations and Change 2020/21 4
Marking Criteria
Marking Rubric Marks
allocated
to
criteria:
Coherence and structure of the overall report with regards to the diagnosis of
the drivers and need for optimisation in the simulated organisation
25%
Demonstrate regard to internal attitudes and readiness for change, including
reference to forces, power and politics, in the simulated organisation
25%
Demonstrate their understanding of a range of approaches to leading change
from both a theoretical and applied perspective.
25%
Demonstrated level of research (in terms of perceived use of relevant change
management theory)
15%
Presentation of the Journal 5%
Grammar , proper use of the Harvard System of referencing 5%
MGT 6B4, Optimising Operations and Change 2020/21 5
CRITERIA
0-10% 11-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89% 90-100%
drivers and
diagnosis of the
regards to the
overall report with
structure of the
Coherence and
need
organisation
the simulated
for optimisation in
25%
report
No relevance of the
to organisation
drivers and need
Partial relevance
to the diagnosis of
the organisation
relevance
Demonstrated
of
has
for optimisation
drivers and need
diagnosis of the
been met in
whilst
some areas
other
areas have not
diagnosis
relevance of
Demonstrated
of the
has been
optimisation needs
terms of drivers and
organisation in
met a
minimum level 6
standard. Basic
research.
Demonstrated
diagnosis of the
organisation in
and
terms of drivers
need for
optimisation has
leverag
good standard
been met to a
ing theory
from the module
diagnosis
Demonstrated
of the
been met
for optimisation has
of drivers and need
organisation in terms
to a very
good standard as
strategy. L
with the optimisation
evel 6
r
criticality and/or
esearch and
connections
diagnosis
Demonstrated
of the
strategy.
the optimisation
optimisation plus
and need for
terms of drivers
organisation in
has
standard
achieved a high
diagnosis
Demonstrated
of the
strategy
the optimisation
optimisation plus
need for
terms of drivers and
organisation in
has been
outstanding level
achieved to an
diagnosis
Demonstrated
of the
has been achieved to
optimisation strategy
optimisation plus the
drivers and need for
organisation in terms of
an
stand
exceptionally high
ard
regard
Demonstrate
to internal
change,
readiness for
attitudes and
including
politics,
forces, power and
reference to
in the
organisation
simulated
25%
criteria
basic ideas of this
understanding of the
assessment shows no
The content of the
, with no
issue
ability to define the
insight and shows no
change readiness
s. Lacks
research
The content of the
the
understanding of
very limited
assessment shows
basic ideas of
n o
this criteria, with
change
readiness insight
ability
and shows no
to define the
issues. Lacks
research
The content of the
and
internal attitudes
understanding of
a limited
assessment shows
change
readiness. Very
limited research
major ideas of
understanding of the
adequate
The content shows an
change
readiness, with
limited insight of the
issues of forces,
Limited level
power or politics.
6
synthesis
The presented
good
demonstrates a
content
assessment
of internal change
readiness with
insight to issues of
forces, power or
politics , leverages
modul
theory from the
e
good
demonstrates a very
The presented content
assessment of
change readiness with
good insight to the
issues of forces, power
or politics, with level 6
criticality, some good
connections.
Demonstrates an
excellent assessment
of the change
readiness with
strong insight of the
forces, power and
politics. Leveraging
module, wi
theory from the
th level 6
criticality and/or
and connections
excellent research
content demo
The presented
nstrates
assessment
an outstanding
of change
outstand
readiness with
ing insight of
politics at play.
the forces, power and
with
level 6 criticality
Connections
and/or research and
The change readiness
content is presentable in
in the field
or theoretical knowledge
and may extend practical
a professional context
of this
criteria. It displays an
evaluation
of understanding,
exceptionally high level
, insight, with
level 6 criticality and
connections
Demonstrated
perspective.
applied
theoretical and
from both a
leading change
approaches to
a range of
understanding of
25%
No insight nor ability
to lead nor application
of theory is
demonstrated or the
completely irrelevant.
connections are
understanding
very limited
of
leadership with no
demonstrated
theory
application of
Very little change
insight
leadership
, very basic
c
make
limited ability to
research, and very
onnections.
Adequate change
presented
approaches
leadership
, with little
level
research. Limited
insight and basic
6 analysis,
criticality
reflection and/or
Demonstrates a
good a pplication of
change leadership
approaches with
level 6 reflection
research.
appropriate
and/or
Demonstrates a very
good level of
approaches
leadership
application of change
, with level
6 reflection, some
insight and/or very
good research and
connections.
Demonstrates an
excellent application
approaches
of change leadership
with
level 6 reflection
criticality, research
and connections
Demonstrates an
approaches
leadership
application of change
outstanding
with
level 6 reflection,
research
criticality and
and
Connections
The application of change
leadership approaches is
presentable in a
professional context. It
high level of
displays an exceptionally
scope,
evaluation
understanding,
, insight, with
level 6 reflection,
connections
criticality and
theory)
management
relevant change
perceived use of
(in terms of
level of research
Demonstrated
15%
content
The presented
lacks
research
understanding and limited
content shows very
The presented
and lacks
research.
The presented
content very
connections
ability to make
and very limited
basic research,
adequate
content shows
The presented
but basic
research and
understanding
demonstrates
content
The presented
level
6 criticality and
research.
appropriate
The presented content
demonstrates level 6
connections.
good research and
criticality and very
excellent display
demonstrates an
content
The presented
of
connections
research and
inc
level 6 criticality
content
The presented
demonstrates
display of
an outstanding
research
and Connections inc
level 6 criticality
The presented research
professional context
is presentable in a
with
level 6 criticality and
connections
of referencing
Harvard System
proper use of the
Grammar ,
5%
grammar
Structure and
are
are
Acknowledgements
Bibliography and
inadequate.
completely
completely
inadequate.
grammar
Structure and
maybe
may be
Acknowledgements
Bibliography and
barely adequate.
barely
adequate
grammar
Structure and
are
ts
Acknowledgemen
Bibliography and
barely adequate.
are barely
adequate.
grammar
Structure and
are
Acknowledgements
Bibliography and
adequate.
are adequate.
grammar
Structure and
may be
developed.
appropriately
as with
Acknowledgements
Bibliography and
grammar
Structure and
is to a very
good standard.
standard.
are to a very good
Acknowledgements
Bibliography and
grammar
Structure and
are to an
standard.
are to an excellent
Acknowledgements
Bibliography and
excellent standard.
grammar
Structure and
is to an
standard.
are to an outstanding
Acknowledgements
Bibliography and
outstanding standard.
Structure and grammar is
standard.
exceptionally high
developed to an
Bibliography
standard.
exceptionally high
are developed to an
and Acknowledgements
5
clarity of the text
coherence and
Structure,
%
Writing
presentation of the
Structure and
is completely
inadequate.
Writing
presentation of the
Structure and
maybe
barely adequate.
the Writing
presentation of
Structure and
are
barely adequate.
Writing
presentation of the
Structure and
are adequate. Writing
presentation of the
Structure and
may be
developed.
appropriately
Writing
presentation of the
Structure and
is a very good
standard.
Structure and
Writing
presentation of the
to an
excellent standard.
Writing
presentation of the
Structure and
is to an
outstanding standard.
Writing
presentation of the
Structure and
is developed to
standard.
an exceptionally high
MGT 6B4, Optimising Operations and Change 2020/21 6
5.2.3 Assessment 2: Consultant’s Report and Simulation 50% TMM individual submission
(1200 words +- 10% maximum, simulation role discussion); Summative submission due
Sunday 13th December at 23.59 (late submissions will be allowed up to the following
Wednesday and will be capped at 40%) The simulation role play discussions will be run in
weeks 11 & 12.
Acting as a consultant change manager you will develop a plan to deliver and sustain the
optimisation of the operations of a simulated business as has been specified in the assignment
1 Leader’s Programme Journal of your student colleague. Referring to the specification of
requirements in your colleagues assignment 1 your Consultant Programme Journal will:
Introduce the organisation and proposed change; address the education of employees
(learning plan); the informing of pertinent stakeholders (communication plan); For each of
the above illustrative plans you will provide a written context that will leverage appropriate
change management theories and models that you have covered within the course or through
you own independent research. Finally, you will critic how you are to address the culture of the
simulated organisation in terms of its resistance to change. If the specification you have
received from student colleague in their assignment 1 is insufficient for your
needs you can extend the requirements as foundations for your plans.
A draft format for the Consultant Programme Journal might include:
• Journal 1 Introduction – the organisation , need for change and required outcome –
200 words (inc strategy and vision)
• Journal 2 The education plan, model and justification 200 words ( inc learning
contracts, loop model and organisation learning)
• Journal 3 The stakeholder communication plan, model and justification – 300 words (
inc comm plan- stage messages and media)
• Journal 4 Critic of the challenges associated with overcoming cultural resistance to
change 500 words ( inc Change agency; kotter 8 step v emotional resistance)
References
Optional Appendices – NOTE: Complete Models can be placed in the text as diagrams
Note: this is a critical plan so there is no requirement for a conclusion
If you have not had a briefing from a colleague you should deliver assignment 2 in
respect of the Northwell implement case study which is available under weekly
materials on the Blackboard web site. You should confirm with you tutor in week
9 if you intend to do this.
Leader and Change manager simulation role play discussions in week 11 & 12
Student pairs will present in role plays acting as both leaders and change managers.
Leadership – you will spend up to 4 minutes critically discussing with your what you consider
to be the key aspects of your Leadership roles that led to your strategy, mission and readiness
assessment.
Change management – you will spend up to 4 minutes critically discussing with your pair
what you consider to be the key aspects of your roles as change managers that led to your
MGT 6B4, Optimising Operations and Change 2020/21 7
learning plan, communications plan, how organizational culture is addressed and monitoring
and measurement proposals in your report.
Marking Rubric Marks
allocated
to
criteria:
Implementing change learning plan 20%
Communications plan 20%
Highlight the middle managers role in dealing with the implications and
consequences of the results of a collision of change forces with organisational
culture.
30%
Demonstrated level of research (in terms of perceived use of relevant change
management theory)
15%
Reflective contribution during the two simulation role play discussions to extract
the maximum learning and benefit for self and others.
5%+ 5%
Grammar , proper use of the Harvard System of referencing 5%
MGT 6B4, Optimising Operations and Change 2020/21 8
CRITERIA
0-10% 11-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89% 90-100%
learning plan
change including
implementing
Planning and
20%
changes that
and timelines for the proposed operational
leverage illustrative plans of basic milestones
address the change need; nc
contingency
action plan e.g. gantt, resource register,
and the education of employees
( learning contracts, loop model and
organisation learning
basic ideas of th
understanding of the
assessment shows no
The content of the
ese
two criteria,
The content of the
the
understanding of
very limited
assessment shows
basic ideas of
this criteria with
no management
plan.
plan nor education
The content of
educ
employee
planning and
understanding of
shows a limited
the assessment
ation with
no management
education plan
plan nor
educ
plan and employee
change management
major ideas of
understanding of the
an adequate
The content shows
ation plan, with
limited plans.
synthesis
Limited level 5
Aa good change
and
education plan
and employee
management plan
leverages
theories from the
module
A very good change
leveraging
and education plan
management plan
multiple
theories from the
module with Level 5
criticality and
connections
An excellent change
leverages
and education plan
management plan
multiple
theories from the
beyond the module,
with level applied 5
criticality
An outstanding set
with
and education plans
management plans
of change
multiple
theories from the
beyond the module,
with applied level 5
criticality
The change plan and
education plan is
pro
presentable in a
fessional context. It
of understanding,
exceptionally high level
displays an
insight, with level 5
connections
criticality and
20
plan
Communications
%
inc comm plan
pertinent stakeholders
the informing of
–
stages and media
messages for different communication
stakeholder
criteria, with no
basic ideas of this
understanding of the
assessment shows no
The content of the
nor
critic of theories.
The content of the
the
understanding of
very limited
assessment shows
basic ideas of
this criteria with
no stakeholder
critic of theories.
communication nor
The content of the
communication
stakeholder
understanding of
a limited
assessment shows
.
with no comms
theories
plan nor critic of
communication
stakeholder
major ideas of
understanding of the
adequate
The content shows an
, with
limited plan. Limited
level 5 synthesis
Demonstrates a
good assessment
of stakeholder
with
communication
plan,
from the module
leverages theory
Demonstrates a very
good assessment of
stages and,
different project
plan inc media and
communication with
pertinent stakeholder
leverages
theory with level 5
criticality
An excellent
assessment of
pertinent stakeholder
beyond
leverages theory from
project stages and,
plan inc media,
communication with
the module ,
with level 5 criticality
An outstanding
assessment of
project stag
plan inc media,
communication with
stakeholder
pertinent
es and,
leverages external
theory
The communication plan
understanding,
high level of
displays an exceptionally
professional context It
is presentable in a
insight,
and connections
with level 5 criticality
Dealing with the
culture.
with organisation
change forces
collision of
consequences of
implications and
25%
No insight nor
is demonstrated
application of theory
or the
completely irrelevant.
connections are
understanding
very limited
of
change
orgainsational
managing
with no
d
theory
application of
emonstrated
Very little change
insight
management
, very basic
c
make
limited ability to
research, and very
onnections.
presented
approaches
management
Adequate change
, with little
level 5
research. Limited
insight and basic
analysis,
resistance
organisational
management and
change
good application of
Demonstrates a
with
and/or
level 5 reflection
research.
Demonstrates a very
good level change
org
management in an
anisational context
with level 5 reflection,
some insight and/or
and connections
very good research
.
Demonstrates an
excellent application
of change
context
organisational
management in an
with level 5
reflection, research
and connections
Demonstrates an
context
in an organisational
change management
application of
outstanding
with level 5
reflection, research
and Connections
The application of
change management is
presentable in a
professional context. It
hig
displays an exceptionally
h level of scope,
evaluation
understanding,
, insight,
(in terms of
level of research
Demonstrated
use
theory)
change mgt
of relevant
15%
content
The presented
lacks
research
understanding and limited
content shows very
The presented
and lacks
research.
The presented
content very
connections
ability to make
and very limited
basic research,
adequate
content shows
The presented
but basic
research and
understanding
demonstrates
content
The presented
level
a p
5 criticality and
propriate
research.
The presented content
demonstrates level 5
connections.
good research and
criticality and very
excellent display
demonstrates an
content
The presented
of
connections
research and
inc
level 5 criticality
of
outstanding display
demonstrates an
content
The presented
research and
Connections inc
level 5 criticality
The presented research
professional context
is presentable in a
with
connections
level 5 criticality and
5%
of referencing
Harvard System
proper use of the
Grammar ,
grammar
Structure and
are
are
Acknowledgements
Bibliography and
inadequate.
completely
completely
inadequate.
grammar
Structure and
maybe
may be
Acknowledgements
Bibliography and
barely adequate.
barely
adequate
grammar
Structure and
are
ts
Acknowledgemen
Bibliography and
barely adequate.
are barely
adequate.
grammar
Structure and
are
Acknowledgements
Bibliography and
adequate.
are adequate.
Structure and
grammar may be
developed.
appropriately
as with
Acknowledgements
Bibliography and
grammar
Structure and
is to a very
good standard.
standard.
are to a very good
Acknowledgements
Bibliography and
grammar
Structure and
are to an
standard.
are to an excellent
Acknowledgements
Bibliography and
excellent standard.
grammar
Structure and
is to an
standard.
are to an outstanding
Acknowledgements
Bibliography and
standard.
outstanding
Structure and grammar is
standard.
exceptionally high
developed to an
Bibliography
standard.
exceptionally high
are developed to an
and Acknowledgements
and others.
and benefit for self
maximum learning
to extract the
simulation role play
skills during the
Argumentative
Critical
5% = 5%
• Role play is
inadequate.
completely
•
dull/clumsy.
Hasty,
Time
management is
inadequate.
completely
adequate.
Role play is barely
Time
management is
barely adequate. management
Time
barely adequate.
Role play may be
may
adequate.
be barely
Time management
barely adequate.
Role play may be
adequate.
may be barely
developed.
appropriately
Role Play may be
Time
management may
developed.
be appropriately
good standard.
developed to a very
Role Play may be
Time
management is a very
good standard.
Time management
excellent standard.
developed to an
Role Play may be
standard.
to an excellent
standard.
outstanding
developed to an
Role Play is
Time
management to an
excellent standard.
standar
an exceptionally high
Role Play is developed to
d. Lively/good
Time management
effective/inclusive
flow/
to an
excellent standard.
MGT 6B4, Optimising Operations and Change 2020/21 9
5.3 Common Assessment Scale
The scale consists of eight different numeric bands (0-8) with their matching descriptors of
students’ performance. In order to award a final mark, first a numeric band will be given to the
assessed piece, according to the descriptors that suit each piece of work. After this process, and
following the conversion table below, academics will decide the most suitable percentage
within the range proposed for the band awarded.
Bands Generic descriptors
8
• All learning outcomes and task specifications have been achieved to an exceptionally high standard
(according to the level of study).
• The outcome of the assessment task is presentable in a professional context and may extend
practical or theoretical knowledge in the field. It displays an exceptionally high level of
understanding, evaluation, insight, analysis, reflection and/or criticality (according to the level of
study), and connections are developed both within and beyond the task set.
• The work’s organisation, structure and presentation are developed to an exceptionally high
standard.
7
• All learning outcomes and task specifications have been achieved to an outstanding standard
(according to the level of study).
• The outcome of the assessment demonstrates an outstanding display of understanding, exploration,
evaluation, insight, analysis, reflection, criticality and/or research (according to the level of study).
Connections are developed both within and beyond the task set.
• The work’s organisation, structure and presentation are developed to an outstanding standard.
6
• All learning outcomes and task specifications have been achieved to high standard (according to the
level of study).
• The outcome of the assessment demonstrates an excellent display of understanding, exploration,
evaluation, insight analysis, reflection, criticality and/or research (according to the level of study),
and connections are developed both within and beyond the task set.
• The work’s organisation, structure and presentation may be developed to an excellent standard.
5
• All learning outcomes have been achieved at a good and some to a very good standard (according to
the level of study).
• The outcome of the assessment demonstrates a very good level of understanding, exploration,
evaluation, analysis, reflection, criticality, some insight and/or very good research (according to the
level of study), and connections are established within the task set, and in some cases reaching
beyond.
• The work’s organisation, structure and presentation may be developed to a very good standard.
4
• Most learning outcomes have been met at a good standard (according to the level of study).
• The outcome of the assessment demonstrates a good understanding, exploration, evaluation,
analysis, and some reflection, criticality and/or appropriate research. (According to the level of
study)
• The work’s organisation, structure and presentation may be appropriately developed.
3
• All learning outcomes have been met to a minimum satisfactory standard (according to the level of
study).
• The outcome of the assessment shows an adequate understanding, of major ideas, with little insight
and basic research. Limited level of analysis, reflection and/or criticality (according to the level of
MGT 6B4, Optimising Operations and Change 2020/21 10
study).
• The outcome of the task shows ability to paraphrase concepts and theories, with limited ability to
make connections.
• The work may be disorganised, and the structure and presentation may be barely adequate.
2
• Most learning outcomes have almost been met, whilst the rest have not (according to the level of
study).
• The outcome of the assessment shows a limited understanding of major ideas, with little insight,
very basic research, and very limited ability to make connections. No analysis, reflection and/or
criticality (according to the level of study)
• The work may be disorganised, and the structure and presentation may be barely adequate.
1
• The majority of the learning outcomes have not been met (according to the Level). The outcome of
the assessment task is incomplete, flawed, very limited and/or presents significant inaccuracies.
• The outcome of the assessment shows very limited understanding with no insight, and very limited
ability to make connections within basic ideas in the field, very fragmented. Lacks research. No
analysis, reflection or criticality (according to the level of study)
• The work is disorganised, and unstructured. Presentation is barely adequate.
0
• None of the learning outcomes have been met. The task has not been addressed by the student, or
there is no assessable task.
• The outcome of the assessment shows no understanding of basic ideas, with no insight and shows
no ability to make connections within basic ideas in the field, or the connections are completely
irrelevant. Lacks research. No understanding, analysis, reflection nor criticality.
• The work completely lacks organisation and structure. Presentation is completely inadequate.
