ASSESSMENT
1.1 Summary
Submission deadline: 11 May, 15.00
Weighting: 100% of module marks, This is an individual submission.
Word count: Approx. 1700 and appendices
The word count on the module specification is a maximum figure. It is reduced for this assignment to compensate for the work involved in preparing the appendix.
Learning Outcomes Evidenced by this assignment: 1 to 6
Submission procedure: Submission should be through Turnitin. No hard copy submission will be accepted.
Return of feedback and marked work:Your marked assignment and individual feedback will be made available through Turnitin
1.2 Structure of the assignment
There is one coursework to be submitted for this component. It has two parts:
Part A (Report) and Part B (Appendix).
1.3 Details of the assessment task
Part A: Report (60%)
Choose three of the presentations that you will have given in seminars. Use the theory demonstrated in these to assess the sustainability of the organisation* and demonstrate how the use of IT can help maximise performance.
(*The organisation will be different to the organisations covered in the seminars. The list of organisations for the coursework will be provided by the module leader and it will be posted on the module site through ‘Announcement Section’.)
The following assignment instructions provide a more detailed explanation of the requirements for the report submission.
Details of the task
This part of the assignment requires you to:
a) Assess existing practice using operational planning, operations theory, concepts and tools.
b) Compare the operations with best practice.
c) Suggest a reason for your findings.
d) Identify how IT helps, or could help deliver efficient operations.
During the semester, you should have created and discussed a range of formative and summative presentations that include an explanation of theory.
You are not expected to describe the theory a second time. You are expected to use it. Your research should focus on establishing the nature of operations in your chosen case study.
You are now in a position to complete the written part of your submission: The body of your assessment should focus on reapplying those tools and theories to your chosen organisation in order to establish the extent it demonstrates
good practice.
A suggested structure for your report:
If you choose to structure the main body of your work in a different way, make sure you provide similar coverage of the material.
Introduction : (Approx. 175 words)
- Introduce the key topics of the report (This will include the organisation concerned, it’s key operational plan & activities and how stakeholders and their requirements are identified by the organisation).
A common error is for students to think this relates to the historical development of the issue when its past often has little relevance to current situations. This background material should make the purpose of the report relevant. You may find it appropriate even at this early stage to use theoretical concepts. - Explain the purpose of the report. This should be phrased in the terms you would expect to use if the report was to be handed as a professional consultancy report to the organisation concerned and other readers.
- Outline the structure of your response.
- Define any key terms (this might have been achieved in “1” above).
- Be engaging and professional. By this, you should try to avoid the trap of starting the report with the words “in this report I am going to …” or similar.
Main Body: (Approx. 1350 words)
Keep the headings informative, and remember that “main body” is not appropriate.
Section 1: Outline the product and service including delivery, quality standards, and supply chain, an associated process and the usage of ICT. You should aim at only including description that you will rely on to substantiate your analysis.
Section 2: Analysis of the organisation:
• Using diagnostic tools (Ex. Performance Measures-QSDFC, Quality audit, service scape, etc)
• Comparing with theory
Show the extent that the operation is demonstrating good practice.
• Indicate Good practice and/or
• Indicate where there is room for continuous improvement and change / the operation deviates from the theoretical
model of good practice.
Section 3: Explain your findings:
• If your analysis suggests that the organisation is only demonstrating good practice, your analysis will need to be
thorough and this section will not be needed.
• If your analysis suggests that the operation deviates from good practice / theoretical models, then this section should explain reasons for this.
Conclusion: (Approx.175 words)
This should:
1. Briefly refer back to your task
2. Summarise the key issues raised in sections 1 – 3 the main body.
3. Summarise your findings
It should not:
1. Contain any information that has not been discussed in the main body,
2. Summarise the topics covered – e.g. “this report reviewed the operations undertaken and identified where improvements can be made.” without summarising the actual content (a common mistake).
3. Contain any recommendations.
The recommended format, referencing and use of quotations for Part A.
Your work should be word processed in accordance with the following:
- Font size 12, using a Arial or Calibri or Times New Roman font.
- Line spacing of 1.5 be used. Distribute the text evenly between the margins (Justify).
- The page orientation should be ‘portrait’ (large diagrams and tables can be in landscape orientation if that enables them to fit on fewer pages)
- Margins on both sides of the page should be no less than 2 cm.
- Pages should be numbered.
- Your name should not appear on the script. – just student number (in some cases where your asked to provide certificates / evidence with you name on this usual rule does not apply)
- Your student number should be included on every page.
- Care should be taken with grammar and spelling and Harvard Style referencing shown Cite Them Right must be followed. https://www.citethemrightonline.com/
- Provide your word count at the end of the report.
- If you prepare a good answer, you will probably find the word limit quite tight:
✓ Do make sure that you make sure that all your content is relevant.
✓ Do not repeat anything that is covered in your seminar presentations.
✓ Remember: You are not just presenting information. You should try to persuade your reader that you are right.
Part B: Appendix (40%)
For this assessment, your “appendix” will be as important as the written report and will attract 40% of the marks. The best two presentations that you have crated and discussed in the seminars will make up the 25% of the appendix whereas LinkedIn Learning Certificate/Badges will contribute the remaining 15% of the appendix.
25% Marks for Seminar Presentations:
This part of your work will be marked using the mark awarded at the point of presenting the material in your seminar and submitted to Turnitin by the stipulated date. – if you intend to submit the work without alteration. You will need to list the presentations you intend to refer to on the front sheet.
15% Marks for Professional Learning Certificate/Badges
This part of your work will be based on learning ‘certificate/badges’. A learning badge is a certificate that a person will get when an institution validates the accomplishment of a learning activity such as workshop, conferences, social work or any educational strategy. The badges to be learned and earned are in alignment with this component’s learning and engagement. The Badges would be earned from the LinkedIn Learning platforms.
