DA6064 - Work-Based Project

You will learn through workshops, tutor guidance and feedback and independent directed and self-directed learning. Importantly, you will also learn at work, through reflecting on your experiences and applying your knowledge from the module to your practice in the workplace. The workshops will introduce you to theories and concepts and allow you to discuss with the tutors and your peers how these relate to your own work based experiences and practice. The workplace provides an opportunity for you to put your own knowledge and skills into practice and review your learning with your manager/mentor and your guidance tutor.

Your learning is supported by a Teaching and Learning Plan, offering guidance on reading to prepare for workshops and help with the completion of the assessment. Within this plan there are also suggested learning activities, which guide you in your independent learning. These activities allow you to reflect and evaluate your knowledge and skills and in this area.

Adopting this learning and assessment strategy, you will develop your knowledge and skills and apply this to your own role as practising/aspiring supervisors/first-line/owner managers, in order to think critically about your personal and organisational practice.

You will be allocated an individual work-based project supervisor with whom you will have access to face-to-face (or online if studying on a distance learning programme) tutorial support alongside your workplace supervisor (where appropriate).

You will develop your knowledge of research methods and ability to manage projects and conduct research, through developing practical skills in data collection and analysis (both qualitative and quantitative), as well as the completion and write-up the projects. The project focus, its specific aim(s) and the research method adopted will be unique to how you design your project.

The Teaching and Learning plan will provide a number of prompts and guidance to support you academically. Support will also include opportunities to gain feedback from workshop tutors, your guidance tutor and peers.

Your module is also supported by an e-learning portal, which houses all the module learning materials, workshop resources, interactive activities, assessment details and various other support facilities which are provided by the University.

In addition, in order to assist you in developing knowledge, you will have access to the University’s library facilities, including extensive electronic resources, eBooks and electronic academic journal articles.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

You will be expected to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge & Understanding:
Your knowledge of business, management and/or leadership, at least some of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of aspects of the discipline.
(MLO 1)

Your appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of the knowledge you produce through your research.(MLO 2)


Intellectual/Professional skills and abilities:
Your ability to apply your knowledge of business, management and/or leadership to appreciate the implications for organisational strategic performance (MLO 3)

Your ability to apply techniques of analysis and enquiry in the investigation of a business related issue. (MLO 4)


Personal Values attributes:
Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical issues associated with conducting research
(MLO 5)

Mapping to CMDA Outcomes/Assessment Criteria



Knowledge & Understanding:

1.1.1 Evaluate theories of organisational strategies and review own organisations strategy in the context of these

Skills – be able to:

1.4.1 Develop operational plan to include realistic, measurable targets and key performance indicators

1.4.2 Demonstrate effective delivery of operational plan

1.4.3 Identify and manage appropriate resources to deliver plan

1.4.4 Accurately monitor and measure outcomes and evaluate
results

1.5.1 Construct a range of detailed management reports and analyse and interpret these

1.6.1 Deliver successful outcomes demonstrating the effective use of wide support from a range of sources.

2.3.1 Exhibit the effective planning, organisation, and management of identified resources, demonstrating how this contributes to the achievement of project goals

2.4.1 Identify key project outcomes, developing and implementing plans to ensure that these are achieved

2.4.2 Monitor progress towards the achievement of project outcomes and produce reports that clearly demonstrate this

2.5.1 Select and apply a risk management model to project, identifying and monitoring risks and actions to mitigate
these

2.7.1 Demonstrate the successful use of project management tools.

5.3.1 Demonstrate the use of qualitative and quantitative analysis of information to identify service / organisational improvements and opportunities for innovation and growth

5.3.2 Analyse information and data to benchmark against others.

12.3.1 Demonstrate the use of evidence based tools to solve problems

12.3.2 Demonstrate the consistent use of critical analysis, synthesis and evaluation to support decision making

12.3.3 Use ethical approaches in problem solving and decision making.

Mapping to CMI Learning Outcomes

5006V1 Conducting a management project

1. Be able to identify and justify a management project

2. Be able to conduct research using sources and analyse data and options

3. Be able to make conclusions and recommendations that achieve the project aim

4. Be able to show and review the results of the project

5002V1 Information based decision making

1. Be able to identify and select sources of data and information

2. Be able to analyse and present information to support decision making

3. Be able to communicate information that supports decision making

5020V1 Introduction to management and leadership

1. Understand data and information and their use in meeting stakeholders’ needs

The assessment is in the form of a 10,000 word report. You will have the opportunity to receive formative feedback both from tutors and within peer groups. Furthermore you will be supported by a personal supervisor throughout the year, who will discuss your work with you on an on-going basis providing you with feedback on your ideas, approaches and progress.

(Addresses MLO’s 1-5)

None

None

This module is designed to enable you to develop your research skills as well as increasing your awareness of the workplace as a learning environment. Through selecting a topic of your choice and designing your research to suit the topic and organisational context, it is an opportunity for autonomy and the pursuing of topics and issues most relevant to your own interests and challenges faced by your organisation. Through this, you will gain insight into the organisational issue, whilst also developing an ability to critique and use evidence to further understand it.
This module has been designed to fit alongside your current role in your organisation and you will be encouraged to discuss this with your employer (if applicable) throughout the year. You will develop your employability and individual effectiveness, through developing your capacity for enquiry based research within a business setting, whilst also contributing to the organisation’s effectiveness.