Order this Assignment Now: £179

1.1 Analyse the environmental factors which influence change in organisations

»	KEY INFORMATION FOR LEARNERS

Each task in this assessment brief has been developed to enable you to evidence achievement of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria for CMI 514: Managing Change.  Each of the assessment criteria must gain a pass outcome for you to successfully achieve the unit.

Preparation for the assessment

• Before you begin the assessment brief please read the CMI 514 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 514 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

• The 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 the 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).

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.

»	INTRODUCING ASSESSMENT BRIEF CMI 514

Being equipped with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to manage change in a variety of organisational settings is essential if an individual and their organisation are to succeed. Assessment brief CMI 514 has been designed to enable learners to evidence their ability to evaluate types and reasons for change within organisations and be able to select and apply change models in different organisational settings. Learners will demonstrate their understanding of not only how to manage change and achieve set objectives, but to do so in a professional manner with open and honest communication throughout the entire process. 

»	ASSESSMENT TASKS AND WORD COUNT

Assessment brief 514 features the following assessment tasks. Further detail is provided against each assessment task within the brief.

	Assessment Task	Learning outcomes covered by assessment method	Assessment criteria	Guideline word count
1	Write a report entitled: The reasons for change in  organisations	LO1 Understand the reasons for change in organisations	1.1 Analyse the environmental factors which influence change in organisations	Approx. 850 words
			1.2 Analyse the internal factors that drive the need for change in organisations
			1.3 Examine the potential impact of change in organisations
2	Write a report entitled: An evaluation of change approaches and models	LO 2 Understand approaches to change management	2.1 Evaluate the use of theoretical models for managing change	Approx. 850 words
			2.2 Analyse the role of leadership in gaining the commitment of others to change
			2.3 Specify reasons for engaging with stakeholders throughout the change management process
3	Write a proposal for: Initiating change in an organisational setting	LO3 Understand how to initiate, plan and manage change in an organisation	3.1 Specify the rationale for initiating change within an organisation	Approx. 1100 words
			3.2 Develop a plan for change within an organisation
			3.3 Examine tools for implementing and monitoring change
4	Write a proposal for: Developing a communications plan and change strategy for  an organisation	LO3 Understand how to initiate, plan and manage change in an organisation	3.4 Recommend approaches to overcome risks and barriers to change	Approx. 1200 words
			3.5 Develop strategies for communicating planned change to stakeholders
			3.6 Assess practical methods to support individuals throughout the change management process
			3.7 Analyse methods for monitoring and measuring the impact of planned change
			3.8 Discuss approaches to embed and sustain planned change in an organisation

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

»	MANAGING CHANGE IN ORGANISATIONS

Understanding the principles of managing change within an organisational context is dependent on many factors. Managers need to have a thorough understanding of the dynamic nature of an organisation’s internal environment and drivers, as well as an understanding of the external business drivers that can impact organisations and drive the need for change.

»

TASK 1

You are required to write a report entitled ‘The reasons for change in organisations’.  This must be presented in TWO (2) sections.

1. The factors which influence change in organisations

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

1. Analyse the environmental factors which influence change in organisations (AC1.1)
2. Analyse the internal factors that drive the need for change in organisations (AC1.2)

B. Potential impact of change in organisations

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

1. Use examples to examine the potential impact of change in organisations (AC1.3)

Guidance for completion of Task 1

Within the report you should include sub headings.  You may choose to include tables and diagrams (as appropriate) to support your discussion. Your discussion should be underpinned with relevant theoretical principles. You may base your response on your own experience of managing change in organisations or use good practice examples from organisations you know well or have researched. It is important to note that this task asks you to consider the management of change in organisations (plural). Please refer to the indicative content for each assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification.

»	APPROACHES TO CHANGE MANAGEMENT

Selecting an appropriate approach to managing change in an organisation is a key management and leadership skill, particularly in the 21^st century where diversity and international or global operations are commonplace.

»

TASK 2

You are required to write a report entitled ‘Approaches to change management’. This must be presented in TWO (2) sections.

A. Models of change management

To complete this section of the report you are required to evaluate the use of TWO (2) theoretical models of change management (AC2.1)

B. An analysis of the role of leadership in gaining commitment to change

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

1. Use examples to analyse the role of leadership in gaining the commitment of others to change (AC2.2)
2. Specify reasons for engaging with stakeholders throughout the change management process (AC2.3)

Guidance for completion of Task 2

In preparation to complete this task, take time to reflect on the organisational context/setting in which organisational change is being planned and conducted You may base your response on your own experience of managing change in organisations or use good practice examples from organisations you know well or have researched. Your discussion should be underpinned with relevant theoretical principles. Refer to the indicative content for each assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification.

»	INITIATING AND PLANNING CHANGE IN AN ORGANISATION

In order to manage change to achieve the intended impact, it is essential that the manager understands the rationale for the change and is able to agree a plan for implementing and monitoring change in an organisation.

»

SCENARIO

DKM&X is a large industrial company that manufactures tools and equipment.  The company operates on a shift system and is fully operational six days of the week. 450 staff are based at its UK headquarters.  The company has various departments including a design shop, distribution centre, workshop, administrative and management offices, canteen and reception. The site is currently being expanded to increase production and contractors are actively re-developing the offices whilst business continues as usual. The timeline for completing the expansion of the site is looming and there is a great deal of concern that the deadline for completion will not be met. You lead a team within the distribution centre which consists of full time and part time staff with different working patterns.  A key part of your role is to manage the implementation of new operational safe working practices.  This also requires the introduction of new job roles for some of your team.

»

TASK 3

Basing your response on the above scenario, your own experience of managing change in an organisation or on well-chosen examples of managing change in an organisation you know well or have researched:

Write a proposal entitled ‘Initiating and managing change in an organisation’.  This must be presented in TWO (2) sections:

A.  The rationale and plan for initiating change in an organisation

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

1. Specify the rationale for initiating change within an organisation (AC3.1)
2. Develop a plan for change within an organisation (AC3.2)

B. Tools and methods for implementing and monitoring change

To complete this section of the proposal you are required to use examples to:

1. Examine tools used by organisations for implementing and monitoring change (AC3.3)

Guidance for completion of Task 3

In preparation to complete this task, take time to reflect on the organisational context/setting in which organisational change is being planned and conducted You may base your response on your own experience of managing change in organisations or use good practice examples from organisations you know well or have researched. Your discussion should be underpinned with relevant theoretical principles. Please refer to the indicative content for each assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification.

»	MANAGING CHANGE IN AN ORGANISATION

Having an appropriate and effective change communications strategy is an essential part of managing change in an organisation. Essential elements of managing change include knowing how to support people through the change process, approaches to use to embed and sustain the planned change as well as the ability to recognise and respond to risks and barriers to change. 1.1 Analyse the environmental factors which influence change in organisations

»

TASK 4

Basing your response on the scenario on page 5, your own experience of managing change in an organisation or on well-chosen examples of managing change in an organisation you know well or have researched:

You are required to write a proposal entitled ‘Managing change in an organisation’.  This proposal must be presented in THREE (3) sections.

A. Approaches to communicating and sustaining change in an organisation

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

1. Develop strategies for communicating planned change to stakeholders (AC3.5)
2. Assess practical methods to support individuals throughout the change management process (AC3.6)
3. Discuss approaches to embed and sustain planned change in an organisation (AC3.8)

B. Overcoming risks and barriers to change

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

1. Recommend approaches to overcome risks and barriers to change (AC3.4)

C. Monitoring and measuring the impact of change in an organisation

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

Analyse methods used for monitoring and measuring the impact of planned change (AC3.7)

Guidance for completion of Task 4

In preparation to complete this task, take time to reflect on the organisational context/setting in which organisational change is being planned and conducted You may base your response on your own experience of managing change in organisations or use good practice examples from organisations you know well or have researched. Your discussion should be underpinned with relevant theoretical principles. Please refer to the indicative content for each assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification.

»	ASSESSMENT GUIDANCE

Refer

Pass

The submission is incomplete Tasks are incomplete Not all assessment criteria have been met No examples are used or the examples given do not match the requirements of the assessment criteria Evidence is Unclear Technically incorrect or inaccurate Biased Unprofessional language Poorly structured and presented Ideas are under-developed Lacks sufficient detail to show understanding of the topic The application of different perspectives, approaches or schools of thought is unclear or inappropriate Little or no evaluation of evidence has taken place The ability to make judgments and solve complex problems has not been evidenced Evidence is not directly attributable to the learner External sources of information are not acknowledged Work based evidence or artefacts (e.g. planning documents or presentation slides) do not meet the requirements of the assessment criteria and are not current (within 5 years) All tasks have been completed All assessment criteria have been met Examples given are well chosen and match the requirements of the assessment criteria Evidence is Well written and presented Contains a breadth of examples Accurate Current (e.g. use of up to date legislation) Authentic Inclusive Coherent Credible Technically correct Evidence shows understanding and application of different perspectives, approaches or schools of thought and the reasoning behind them. Evidence shows the learners ability to evaluate evidence and solve problems to achieve set outcomes. Evidence used from external sources has been correctly referenced Evidence is directly attributable to the learner Work based evidence or artefacts (e.g. planning documents or presentation slides) match the requirements of the assessment criteria and are current (within 5 years)

LO1 Understand the reasons for change in organisations

1.1 Analyse the environmental factors which influence change in organisations

Section 1: The Factors Which Influence Change in Organisations

Organisations operate within a dynamic landscape shaped by various external and internal factors. Understanding these factors is crucial for managing and implementing change effectively. This section delves into the environmental and internal factors that drive organisational change.

1.1 Environmental Factors Influencing Change

Environmental factors encompass the external forces and conditions that impact an organisation’s operations and strategic decisions. These factors often necessitate change to maintain competitiveness and adaptability. The key environmental factors influencing change include:

1.1.1 Economic Conditions

Economic fluctuations, such as recessions, inflation, or changes in interest rates, can significantly affect an organisation`s performance. For instance, during an economic downturn, organisations may need to implement cost-cutting measures, restructure operations, or shift strategies to sustain profitability. Conversely, economic booms might drive organisations to expand their operations or invest in new ventures.

1.1.2 Technological Advancements

The rapid pace of technological innovation demands that organisations continuously adapt to stay competitive. Advances in technology can lead to the development of new products, changes in production processes, or alterations in business models. Organisations must embrace technological change to enhance efficiency, improve customer experiences, and maintain relevance in the market.

1.1.3 Regulatory and Legal Changes

Changes in laws and regulations can compel organisations to alter their practices. Compliance with new regulations, such as environmental laws, data protection standards, or employment legislation, often requires organisational adjustments. Failure to adapt to these changes can result in legal penalties, financial losses, or damage to reputation.

1.1.4 Socio-Cultural Trends

Shifts in societal values and consumer preferences can influence organisational change. For example, growing environmental consciousness among consumers may drive organisations to adopt more sustainable practices. Similarly, changes in demographic trends, such as an ageing population or increasing diversity, may prompt organisations to modify their products, services, or workplace policies.

1.1.5 Competitive Pressures

The competitive landscape forces organisations to continually reassess their strategies and operations. Competitors’ actions, such as new product launches, pricing strategies, or market entry, can pressure organisations to innovate or refine their approaches. To maintain a competitive edge, organisations must be agile and responsive to changes in the competitive environment.