CMI UNIT 502 : Principles of Developing, Managing and Leading Individuals and Teams to Achieve Success, Assessment Brief

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 502: Principles of Developing, Managing and Leading Individuals and Teams to Achieve Success.  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 502 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 502 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 the assessment Brief CMI 502

Assessment brief CMI 502 has been designed to enable learners to evidence their ability to lead individuals and teams to success. The assessment focuses on the theoretical and practical approaches to developing, leading, and managing teams as well as the knowledge and skills required to evaluate team capabilities, analyse recruitment processes, staff selection and learning and development activities.

On successful completion of the assessment, the manager will appreciate how individuals and teams can be supported, motivated and inspired to exceed expectations.

Assessment Task    

Assessment brief 502 features the following assessment tasks. Further detail is provided against each assessment task within the brief.

LO1 Understand approaches to developing, managing and leading teams

1.1 Evaluate the use of theoretical models for developing, managing and leading teams    Approx. 1750 words
1.2 Discuss practical approaches for effective team management and leadership
1.3 Analyse strategies for managing team leaders
1.4 Develop approaches to respond to the challenges of managing and leading multiple and remote teams

LO2 Understand approaches to achieving a balance of skills and experience in teams

2.1 Evaluate techniques for assessing current and future team capabilities and requirements    Approx. 1250 words
2.2 Analyse a process for recruiting team members
2.3 Assess the factors which impact on the selection of learning and development activities for individuals and teams
2.4 Examine the use of coaching and mentoring models to support team development

LO3 Know techniques for leading individuals and teams to achieve success   

3.1 Discuss methods used to monitor and manage individual and team performance
3.2 Evaluate good practice for enabling and supporting high performing teams    
3.3 Analyse motivational techniques used to create high performing teams

Task 1

You are required to write a report entitled ‘The approaches to developing, managing and leading teams’.

To complete the report you are required to:

• Evaluate the use of a minimum of TWO (2) theoretical models for developing, managing and leading teams (AC1.1)
• Discuss practical approaches for effective team management and leadership (AC1.2)
• Analyse strategies for managing team leaders (AC1.3)
• Develop approaches to respond to the challenges of managing and leading multiple and remote teams (AC1.4)
  Scenario
• You have been asked to manage a new department responsible for human resources and payroll.  This function had previously been outsourced to another organisation.
• A number of team members have been recruited from within the organisation to fulfil administrative and team leader roles, however, the team is not yet at full capacity.
• One of your first tasks is to assess the current and future capabilities of the team to identify vacancies for qualified staff.
• You then need to ensure team members are equipped with the knowledge and skills to work effectively in the department.
• You have been given approval from the senior management team to recruit team members, as well as a budget for targeted learning and development activities (including coaching and mentoring) to support the team to achieve its goals.

Task 2

Basing your response on the scenario given above or an organisation you know well or have researched, write a report entitled ‘Approaches to achieving a balance of skills and experience in a team’.

To complete the report you are required to:

• Evaluate techniques that can be used for assessing current and future capabilities and requirements of a team (AC2.1)
• Analyse a process for recruiting team members (AC2.2)
• Assess the factors which will impact on the learning and development activities selected for individuals and teams (AC2.3)
• Examine the use of coaching and mentoring models to support team development (AC2.4)

Guidance for completion of Task 2

The report should include subheadings.  You may choose to include tables and diagrams (as appropriate) to support your discussion.

• Your discussion should be underpinned with relevant theoretical principles.
• You are encouraged to consider the use of well-chosen examples from an organisation you know well or have researched.

Task 3a

From the list shown below, write an account discussing THREE (3) methods that can be used for monitoring and managing individual and team performance (AC3.1)

Task 3b

Using examples, write an account on the approaches and techniques that can be used to lead individuals and teams to success.  To complete the account:

• Evaluate good practice approaches which can be used for enabling and supporting high performing teams (AC3.2)
• Analyse motivational techniques that can be used to create high performing teams (AC3.3)

Guidance for completion of Tasks 3a and b

• The account should include sub headings.  You may choose to include tables and diagrams (as appropriate).
• You are encouraged to undertake independent research on theoretical principles/models and organisational frameworks and approaches for leading individuals and teams to success.
• You are encouraged to consider the use of well chosen examples from an organisation you know well or have researched.
• Refer to the indicative content for each assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification