CQUniversity Unit Profile.

Purpose:   This assessment develops your ability to analyse organisational change in a real-world context and apply change management theories. The report focuses on evaluating strategies and providing evidence-based, practical recommendations at the organisational (macro) level, while the reflection applies theory to support individual employees through change (micro level). Together, these tasks strengthen your analytical, applied, and reflective capabilities for effective HR and change management practice.

Task Description: Assume the role of a change management consultant and critically analyse the case study/news item provided on the Moodle site.

This assessment involves two components:

a) Business report - Based on your analysis, prepare a 2000-word business report. Your report should evaluate the organisation’s change strategies, key drivers of change, and human resource development/management approaches to managing resistance. Drawing on relevant theories, you are required to provide practical and feasible recommendations that consider cultural, time, and cost constraints.

b) Critical reflection - submit a 400–500 word critical reflection (not included in the report word count). Select one employee role within the organisation (e.g., frontline employee, middle manager, HR professional). Using the ADKAR model (Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, Reinforcement), critically reflect on how you, as a change agent, would support an individual in this role throughout the change process.

References:   The assessment must include a minimum of eight (8) relevant peer-reviewed journal articles, in addition to publicly available reports and organisational communications related to the selected organisation.

Important: This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as outlined in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS). Any misuse of, or failure to appropriately disclose, the use of AI tools will be treated as a breach of academic integrity. This assessment is aligned with Level 2 of the AIAS. Accordingly, AI tools may be used to support planning, idea development, and research. However, the final submission must clearly demonstrate the your own critical thinking and the development and refinement of these ideas.

Note: Please refer to the detailed 'Assessment Task Description' and the 'Marking Rubric' available in the unit Moodle site, prior to commencing this task.

Business Report Marking Criteria  (80%)

Analysis (15%) - Demonstrates depth and accuracy in analysing the case study/news item, including the organisation’s change strategies and context.

Theory (15%) - Effectively integrates relevant change management theories, demonstrating a strong theory–practice link.

Drivers of Change (10%) - Identifies and critically evaluates key internal and external drivers of change.

HRD/HRM Approaches (15%) - Provides a critical analysis of HRD/HRM strategies used to address resistance to change.

Recommendations (10%) - Presents practical, feasible (cost, time, cultural), and well-justified recommendations to improve change outcomes.

Research (5%) - Integrates at least the minimum required number of relevant peer-reviewed sources and high-quality organisational data.

Presentation (5%) - Demonstrates clear structure, coherent expression, and correct use of grammar, punctuation, and Australian English.

Referencing (5%) - Adheres strictly to APA 7 referencing conventions as outlined in the CQU APA Referencing Guide.

Critical Reflection Marking Criteria (20%)

Application of ADKAR (10%) - Demonstrates clear and appropriate application of all ADKAR stages (Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, Reinforcement), with a strong linkage to the selected role and organisational context.

Depth of Reflection (10%) - Demonstrates critical thinking by moving beyond description to reflection, with clear acknowledgement of real-world challenges, limitations, and complexities in supporting individual change.

Purpose

This assessment task gives you the opportunity to enhance your research, analysis, critical thinking and written communication skills, particularly in the areas of developing argument and report writing.

Task description

Students are required to form groups (two to three members in each group). Based on a case/news item provided to you on the unit Moodle site, each group is required to write a report and produce a recorded presentation (e.g. PowerPoint with voice over). Each member has to contribute to your group's report and presentation.

This assessment task involves multiple steps.

Step 1 - Registration of your group: It is a responsibility of students to communicate with fellow students and register as groups by the due date. More information on group registration process will be provided to you via the unit Moodle site.

Step 2 - Group Report and Presentation

• Part A - Group report - Your group is required to prepare a written report of 2000 words (+/- 10%, excluding reference list) to the executive team of the case-study organisation, addressing all key points provided to you in the assessment task description. You are also required to incorporate a minimum of twelve (12) relevant academic peer reviewed journal articles.
• Part B - Group presentation - Based on your report, your group has to prepare a 10-minute recorded presentation using an appropriate presentation tool (e.g., PowerPoint with voice over). Each member of the team has to present, and the respective presenter should be visible in the recording. You are encouraged to use innovative ways to effectively present the group's ideas to the Executive Management team of the case-study organisation. You are also required to incorporate appropriate references to support your key points. 

Step 3 - Self-evaluation, contribution analysis, and reflection:   Each student is required to complete and submit the confidential self-evaluation and contribution analysis document available on the unit Moodle site. The document also includes a brief reflection (250–300 words) on key learnings about change management, its practical application, and its relevance to your current and/or future career.

Penalties for late submission are applied according to the Policy.

Important: This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS). Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. This assessment corresponds with Level 2 of the AIAS. Accordingly, you may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. However, your final submission must demonstrate how you have developed and refined these ideas.

Assessment Item 2 - Marking Criteria for the Group Report and Group Presentation

• Registration (5%) - Timely registration of all group members on Moodle by the specified due date.
• Analysis (20%) - Demonstrates thorough knowledge and critical analysis of the change management issues within a well-developed business report.
• Theory (15%) - Provides a critical and integrated review of relevant academic literature, embedded effectively within the discussion (not presented as a separate section).
• Responses (15%) - Presents appropriate, well-supported, and evidence-based responses to the identified change management issues.
• Research (10%) - Demonstrates the use of relevant and credible academic literature. To achieve a pass, the minimum required number of relevant peer-reviewed journal articles must be included.
• Referencing (5%) - Adheres strictly to APA referencing conventions as outlined in the CQU APA Referencing Guide.
• Report Format (5%) - Demonstrates professionalism in report structure, with clear expression, and accurate grammar, punctuation, and spelling in Australian English. Meets the required word count of 2000 words (+/- 10%, excluding references).
• Presentation Format and Flow (10%) - Demonstrates a professional approach to presentation, including effective use of presentation tools, appropriate visual aids, and logical flow and coherence.
• Individual Presentation Skills (5%) - Demonstrates clear, confident, and engaging delivery.
• Contribution and Reflection (10%) - Provides a thoughtful self-evaluation and contribution analysis, along with a reflective component demonstrating learning and application of change management concepts.