Synthesise Relevant Change Theory

Assignment - Briefing Report

Assessment Type

Report

Description

The purpose of this assignment is to assess students' capacity to critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise relevant change theory in relation to a chosen case study company and present findings in written form.

For this assessment, students will take the role of an expert consultant on change management. After analysing the case organisation, findings will be presented in the form of a CEO briefing report on the chosen case study company. The chosen case study company must be pre-approved by the Course Coordinator or Teaching Assistant.

Weighting

30%

Length

2000 words

Assessment Criteria

Three assessment criteria will be used:

1.       Critical analysis, interpretation and evaluation of a change event, or events. 

2.       Reflection on the organisational change event (including in terms of

(i)            its leadership.

(ii)           its meeting the desired objectives of the change initiative; and

(iii)          in taking into consideration the human needs of the organisation's members)

3. Written presentation and structure, including academic referencing
Further details on Blackboard

Return Method

Online

Feedback Provided

SECTION

WHAT GOES IN IT?

WHY?

WORDS

NOTES

Header section

Recipient of report, the author of the report, anyone copied into the report, the date of the report and the subject matter of the report

To clarify the subject matter, main people involved  and focus of the report

Name, Date and Subject - Not counted in word limit.

Use one of the many report templates available in Microsoft word or similar source

Purpose and Background / Context

Concise statement of the purpose of the report which includes a theoretically-informed summary of what the reader needs to know in order to appreciate what is to be discussed in the following section

Assists the reader to identify what the report is about.  You are providing the reader with a logical organisation of the symptoms and causes of the less-than-optimal effectiveness within the organisation

Approx. 25%

This is your executive summary. Although theory informs the summary, reference to theory is needed but not examined in depth. It will essentially be a type of ‘presenting problem’ section in which the author undergoes a symptomatic and causative analysis in order to lead to the identification of core issues to be analysed in the next section

Central Issues

An analysis of the key issues to be brought to CEO’s attention, under separate sub-headings

Allows the reader to immediately identify issues and the relationship between them

Approx. 35%

Again, theory informs the analysis but no extensive coverage of theory is used in the actual writing. Don’t identify too many issues-Therefore, prioritise the issues and gauge which are most important to achieve the desired outcome

Consideration / way forward

Here you will provide advice on priority actions based on your prior assessment

You provide the reader with theoretically-informed way forward /recommendations etc

Approx. 25%

You put forward your argument to support your prioritisation.

Again, theory informs this advice.

Professionalism

Presented in readable form; structure; length; consistency;  referencing; appendices;

Ensure your submitted work is of a standard you would present to your boss if you want to make a good impression!

Approx 15%

See example report.

Criteria

FAIL 0-10

PASS

Satisfactory 11-15

CREDIT

Very good 16-20

DISTINCTION

Excellent 21-25

HIGH DISTINCTION

Outstanding 26-30

WEIGHTING

A significantly incomplete answer.

A partially complete answer.

A mostly complete answer.

A significantly complete answer.

A complete answer.

Effective executive summary of the background and context of the organisation

No relevant or poorly crafted summary significantly lacking in clarity and conciseness.

Partially relevant summary, with some clarity and conciseness.

Mostly relevant summary with mostly demonstrated clarity and conciseness.

Precise summary clearly and concisely developed.

Precise and insightful summary, clearly and concisely developed.

Wide and relevant research, critical analysis of organisational rationality and its impact on change management

No or very limited research and/or no irrelevant or very poor critical analysis, with largely missing analysis, synthesis and critique.

Some relevance but incomplete research and some critical analysis, involving some analysis, synthesis and critique.

Relevant and mostly complete research and correct critical analysis, involving reasonable analysis, synthesis and critique.

Well researched and almost complete critical analysis, involving exceptional analysis, synthesis and critique.

Exceptional research and precise and insightful and complete critical analysis, involving outstanding analysis, synthesis and critique.

Widely and relevantly researched, critical analysis of drivers of change, informed by theory

No or very limited research and/or no irrelevant or very poor critical analysis, with largely missing analysis, synthesis

and critique.

Some relevant research but incomplete and some critical analysis, involving some analysis, synthesis and critique.

Relevant and mostly complete research and correct critical analysis, involving reasonable analysis, synthesis and critique.

Well researched and almost complete critical analysis, involving exceptional analysis, synthesis and critique.

Exceptional research and precise and insightful and complete critical analysis, involving outstanding analysis, synthesis

and critique.

Applicable change models with justification

No, or very limited research and/or no irrelevant or very poor critical analysis, with largely missing analysis, synthesis and critique.

Some relevant but incomplete research and some critical analysis, involving some analysis, synthesis and critique.

Relevant and mostly complete research and correct critical analysis, involving reasonable analysis, synthesis and critique.

Well researched and almost complete critical analysis, involving exceptional analysis, synthesis and critique.

Exceptional research and precise and insightful and complete critical analysis, involving outstanding analysis, synthesis and critique.

Correct structure,

use of English grammar, cogency of argument and syntax, and academic referencing (compliant with APA 6th edn style)

Structure is lacking or very unclear; very poor use of grammar and syntax; and significantly incorrect referencing.

Some structure employed but with limited effectiveness; inconsistent use of Grammar and syntax; but a genuine attempt to reference, but many errors.

Reasonable structure; reasonably consistent use of grammar and syntax; and mostly correct referencing.

Clear structure; excellent use of grammar and syntax; and correct referencing.

Clear, logical and insightful structure; outstanding use of grammar and syntax; and complete and correct referencing.