VALID THRU: 06-May-2024

Assignment Briefs 11-28-2022

What is the relevance of using performance management techniques for analysing historic and present performance of a business?

Comparative analysis and evaluation- Study of FTSE 250 UK PLCs

Programme

BSc (Hons) Business Management

Module Title

Financial Management and Decision Making

Module Code

BMP5006

Assessment Number

001

Assessment Type (and weighting)

Group presentation and report + individual reflection (50%)

Assessment Name

Comparative analysis and evaluation- Study of FTSE 250 UK PLCs

Assessment Submission Dates

Task 1	Pre-recorded group presentation	8^th November 2022, 17:00pm via Turnitin link 1
Task 2	Group report	8^th November 2022, 23.59pm via Turnitin Link 2
Task 3	Individual reflection	9^th November 2022, 23.59pm via Turnitin Link 3

Learning Outcomes Assessed:

LO4: Interpret cost and management accounting reports applying appropriate costing methods

Assessment Brief

Using financial and non-financial performance measures, analyse and evaluate the performance of a UK based FTSE250 company in comparison to a competitor in the same industry.

The companies must be registered in the UK and listed as a PLC on the London Stock Exchange. Companies selected must be agreed with your seminar tutor before any research is undertaken.

Task 1 (40%): Pre-recorded presentation (15 minutes)

Use a recording device and a medium such as Zoom or MS Teams to record your presentation and upload to Turnitin. The workload must be reasonably distributed between members and each member should cover a significant aspect of the presentation. Guided key areas to cover are:

Purpose of the presentation
Introduction to the company and its key competitor
Key performance indicators
Analysis of key performance figures using relevant techniques/models
Comparison between performances and a skilled evaluation of the underlying factors by reflecting on the industry and related external/internal environment factors of the business being reviewed.

Key questions to answer:

What is the relevance of using performance management techniques for analysing historic and present performance of a business?
In what ways does internal and external factor impact upon a business and how can an understanding of these factors lead to improve financial management and decision making?

Tips: If using Zoom or MS Teams - You can convene an online meeting with sharing of screen enabled for everyone to go through your individual slides and record the meeting.

If using a video recording software, each member could individually record their segments and you can delegate one person to collate the segments to a video presentation.

For performance measure indicators for financial information you can use ratio analysis and for non-financial information, balance scorecard or related models.

Task 2 (40%): Group Report Approx. 1,500 words

Cover page and table of contents (use a separate page for each)
Introduction – to the report and tasks
Methodology - including brief details of the aspect covered by each member showing workings clearly.
Observations and findings (The Presentation) – interpretation to the financial and non-financial information. This section could be linked to your presentation and draw in from the information and discussion you present.
Conclusions and Recommendations
Appendices list to attach presentation slides.
Academic references (matching Leap Online) – Refer to Harvard referencing guidelines – link https://www.bolton.ac.uk/leaponline/My-Academic-Development/My-Writing-Techniques/Referencing/Level-2/Harvard-Referencing.aspx

Task 3 (20%) This is an individual task. Approx. 300 words

For part of your personal development, you are expected to produce a self-reflective essay of around 300 words. This is not a report and can be written in first person in an essay format. You are required to use a reflective model such as Gibb’s reflective cycle or Kolb’s experiential learning cycle to aid in your self-reflection. Things you need to consider:

What did you do?
How would you describe your performance in the group task?
What is your evaluation of working in a group on this assignment?
What is the overall outcome of the tasks on this assignment in relation to your personal, academic and professional skills development?
Is there anything you would do differently if attempting a similar assignment in the future?

Submission Guidelines

There can be a maximum of 5 people in a group. There will be three Turnitin areas. As a group you can decide who will be responsible for uploading Tasks 1 and 2 on the Turnitin links provided on Moodle.

Link for Task 1- should be used only to submit your recorded presentation. Only 1 member of the group needs to submit on behalf of the group.
Link for task 2 - should be used to submit your report and presentation slides. Only 1 member of the group needs to submit on behalf of the group.
Link for task 3 - Every member of the group has to submit task 3 individually on the allocated Turnitin link.
Tasks 1 and 2 are to be submitted prior to the self-reflection. Check the deadlines on the front of this brief for dates and time. Interpret cost and management accounting reports applying appropriate costing methods

The assignment will be subject to the published penalty for any non-submission or non-attendance.

Being a group activity it is vital that you maintain effective communication with your group and seminar tutor.

Further submission guidelines can be found in section 12 of the module guide.

Minimum Secondary Research Source Requirements:

Level HE5 - It is expected that the Reference List will contain between ten and fifteen sources. As a MINIMUM the Reference List should include two refereed academic journals and four academic books

Specific Assessment Criteria:

First class (70% and above):

Students will provide an integrated appraisal using a broad range of performance measures, demonstrating excellent critical reasoning skills. Focused and justified recommendations will be made as to how weaknesses identified in the review may be overcome. Extensive research demonstrating use of a wide range of current secondary research sources will be evident. Academic style and referencing will be excellent.

Second class (50-69%):

Students will provide a comprehensive appraisal using a range of measures, demonstrating critical reasoning skills. Justified recommendations will be made as to how weaknesses identified may be overcome, and performance improved. Research demonstrating use of a wide range of current secondary research sources will be evident. Academic style and referencing will be good.

Third class (40-49%):

Students will provide a satisfactory appraisal making use of isolated measures, demonstrating critical reasoning skills. Considered recommendations will be made as to how weaknesses identified may be overcome, and performance improved. Research demonstrating use of a range of current secondary research sources will be evident. Academic style and referencing will be fair.

Fail (39% and below): Students who do not meet the requirements of a third class grade will not successfully complete the assessment activity.

The General Assessment Criteria HE5 applies in addition to marking guide above.

Relevance

Learning outcomes must be met for an overall pass

Knowledge and Understanding

Analysis, Creativity and Problem-Solving

Self-awareness and Reflection

Research/

Referencing

Written English

Presentation and Structure

Class I
(Exceptional Quality)

85% - 100%

Work is directly relevant and expertly addresses the requirements of the brief.

Learning outcomes are met.

Demonstrates an exceptional breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding of theory and practice beyond the threshold expectation for the level.

Demonstrates sophisticated conceptual understanding of specialised areas.

Presents a perceptive synthesis and critical evaluation of findings’ drawing on a broad range of relevant sources in order to draw clear, systematic, justified conclusions.

Provides a critical insight and interprets complex matters and ideas comprehensively.

Demonstrates creative flair and a high level of originality.

Demonstrates exceptional problem- solving skills and initiative.

Provides insightful reflection and critical self-awareness in relation to the outcomes of own work and personal responsibility.

A wide range of contemporary and relevant reference sources selected and drawn upon.

Sources cited accurately in both the body of text and in the Reference List/ Bibliography. Interpret cost and management accounting reports applying appropriate costing methods

Writing style is clear and appropriate to the requirements of the assessment. An exceptionally well written answer with competent spelling, grammar and punctuation. For example, paragraphs are well structured and include linking and signposting. Sentences are complete and different types are used.

A wide range of appropriate vocabulary is used.

The presentational style and layout are correct for the type of assignment.

Evidence of planning and logically structured.

Where relevant, effective inclusion of, and reference to, figures, tables and images.

Class I
(Excellent Quality)

70% - 84%

Work is relevant and comprehensively addresses the requirements of the brief.

Learning outcomes are met.

Demonstrates an excellent breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding of theory and practice for this level.

Demonstrates in-depth understanding of key areas in different contexts.

Presents an excellent appraisal of findings through the critical analysis of information sources.

Draws clear, systematic, justified and perceptive conclusions.

Demonstrates creative flair, a high level of originality and initiative.

Demonstrates a critical understanding of problem-solving approaches and applies excellent problem-solving skills.

Provides excellent reflection and self-awareness in relation to the outcomes of own work and personal responsibility.

A wide range of relevant reference sources selected and drawn upon.

Sources cited accurately in both the body of text and in the Reference List/ Bibliography.

Writing style is clear and appropriate to the requirements of the assessment. An excellently well written answer with competent, spelling, grammar and punctuation. For example, paragraphs are well structured and include linking and signposting. Sentences are complete and different types are used.

A wide range of appropriate vocabulary is used.

The presentational style and layout are correct for the type of assignment.

Evidence of planning and logically structured

Where relevant, effective inclusion of, and reference to, figures, tables and images.

Class II/i
(Very Good Quality)

60% - 69%

Work is relevant and addresses most of the requirements of the brief.

Learning outcomes are met.

Demonstrates a thorough breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding of theory and practice for this level.

Demonstrates very good understanding of key areas in different contexts.

Presents a perceptive appraisal of findings through the critical analysis of information.

Draws clear, justified and thoughtful conclusions.

Demonstrates a very good level of creativity and originality.

Demonstrates a critical understanding of problem-solving approaches and applies strong problem-solving skills.

Provides very good reflection and self-awareness in relation to the outcomes of own work and personal responsibility, as required by the assessment.

A range of appropriate reference sources selected and drawn upon.

Sources cited accurately in the main both the body of text and in the Reference List/Bibliography.

Writing style is clear and appropriate to the requirements of the assessment. A very well written answer with competent spelling, grammar and punctuation. For example, paragraphs are well structured and include linking and signposting. Sentences are complete and different types are used.

A range of appropriate vocabulary is used.

The presentational style and layout are correct for the type of assignment.

Evidence of planning and logically structured in the main.

Where relevant, effective inclusion of, and reference to, figures, tables and images.

Relevance

Learning outcomes must be met for an overall pass

Knowledge and Understanding

Analysis, Creativity and Problem-Solving

Self-awareness and Reflection

Research/

Referencing

Written English

Presentation and Structure

Class II/ii
(Good Quality)

50% - 59%

Work addresses key requirements of the brief. Some irrelevant content.

Learning outcomes are met.

Demonstrates a sound breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding of theory and practice for this level.

Demonstrates sound understanding of key areas in different contexts.

Presents a logical

appraisal of findings through the critical analysis of information.

Draws clear and justified conclusions.

Demonstrates creativity and originality.

Demonstrates a critical understanding of problem-solving approaches and applies effective problem-solving skills.

Provides valid reflection and self-awareness in relation to the outcomes of own work and personal responsibility, as required by the assessment.

Relevant reference sources selected and drawn upon.

Most sources accurately cited both the body of text and in the Reference List/Bibliography.

Writing style is mostly appropriate to the requirements of the assessment Grammar, spelling and punctuation are generally competent and minor lapses do not pose difficulty for the reader.

Paragraphs are structured and include some linking and signposting. Sentences are complete.

A range of appropriate vocabulary is used.

The presentational style and layout are correct for the type of assignment.

Logically structured in the most part.

Inclusion of figures, tables and images but not all relevant or referred to.

Class III
(Satisfactory Quality)

40% - 49%

Work addresses the requirements of the brief, although superficially in places. Some irrelevant content.

Learning outcomes are met.

Demonstrates a sufficient breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding of theory and practice for this level.

Demonstrates understanding of a range of key areas in different contexts.

Presents valid appraisal of findings in parts following a critical appraisal of information.

Interprets a number of matters and ideas but with some descriptive passages evident which lack clear purpose.

Demonstrates creativity and originality in places.

Demonstrates a critical understanding of problem-solving approaches and applies sufficient problem- solving skills.

Provides some reflection and self-awareness in relation to the outcomes of own work and personal responsibility, as required by the assessment.

Some relevant reference sources selected and drawn upon.

Some weaknesses in referencing technique.

Writing style is occasionally not appropriate for the assessment.

Grammar, spelling and punctuation are generally competent, but may pose minor difficultiesfor the reader. Some paragraphs may lack structure, and there is limited linking and signposting.

Some appropriate vocabulary is used

The presentational style and layout are largely correct for the type of assignment.

Adequately structured.

Inclusion of some figures, tables and images but not all clear, relevant and/or referred to.

Borderline

Fail
35% - 39%

Work addresses some of the requirements of the brief. Irrelevant and superficial content.

One or more learning outcomes have not been met.

Demonstrates a lack of knowledge and understanding of theory and practice for this level. Demonstrates insufficient understanding of a range of areas in different contexts.

Presents a descriptive overview of findings following some analysis of information.

Some passages lack clear purpose.

Demonstrates scant creativity or originality.

Demonstrates a lack of critical understanding of problem-solving approaches and insufficient problem- solving skills.

Provides limited reflection and self-awareness in relation to the outcomes of own work and personal responsibility, when required.

Sources selected are limited and/or lack relevance.

Poor referencing technique employed.

Writing style is unclear and does not match the requirements of the assessment in question.

Deficiencies in spelling, grammar and punctuation makes reading difficult and arguments unclear in places. Paragraphs are poorly structured.

For the type of assignment the presentational style, layout and/or structure are lacking.

Inclusion of figures, tables and images but not clear, relevant and/or referred to.

Fail

Work does not address the requirements of the brief. Irrelevant and superficial content.

One or more learning outcomes have not been met.

Demonstrates inadequate knowledge and understanding of theory and practice for this level.

Demonstrates insufficient understanding of relevant areas.

Presents a descriptive overview of findings with little consideration of the quality of information drawn upon.

Demonstrates little or no creativity.

Demonstrates a lack of understanding of problem-solving approaches and limited problem- solving skills.

Provides inadequate reflection and self-awareness in relation to the outcomes of own work and personal responsibility, when required.

An absence of academic and relevant sources selected and drawn upon.

Poor referencing technique employed.

Writing style is unclear and does not match the requirements of the assessment in question.

Deficiencies in spelling, grammar and punctuation makes reading difficult and arguments unclear. Unstructured paragraphs.