All students will be allocated to a group by the Unit coordinator and this will normally not be negotiable. All students will be required to deliver two presentations across the term with accompanying powerpoint and executive summary.

This presentation is based on Henry Mintzberg’s concept of “organisational fit”, He proposes that organisations need to have the right structure for their external context and that the internal components, such as policies, culture and informal systems need to align with the structure. He suggests that many organisational problems can be attributed to organisations having the wrong structure and poor alignment rather than individual performance always being the primary cause.

For this presentation groups will assume the role of organisational consultants, external to the organisation, similar to consultants from companies such as KPMG, Ernst and Young etc. and focus on an organisation with which they are familiar. The group should assume that they are presenting to the organisation's CEO or Board to identifying the organisational context by using Bolman and Deal's four frames as the basis for analysis. Please note all groups must use the structural frame to classify the organisation’s structure, and then may select one of the remaining three frames, either HR, Political or Symbolic frame.

The objective of the presentation is to establish whether the organisation has the appropriate structure for its' context and whether the other system, (HR, Political or Symbolic /Organisational culture) is aligned with the structure. The group are to identify possible issues in the organisation and how these might be explained by the structural alignment or misalignment.

Supported recommendations are expected to be made. Each member of the group is required to contribute to the preparation and delivery of each of the presentations.

On campus students are also required to be in class for all presentations.

Each group will be allocated 15-20 minutes to deliver the presentation.

1. Ability to deliver concise, structured, and accurate analysis with introduction, main presentation and conclusion.

2. Ability to use key theories, concepts, and models to analyse an organisation.

3. Ability to meet professional standards in the use of audio visuals and verbal communication, and deliver the presentation within the time allocation.

4. Ability to prepare an Executive Summary that identifies key findings and recommendations using literature to support.

6. Ability to work in a collaborative and effective manner as a team.

The assessment rubric and an audio file detailing further information regarding this assessment will be available to download the Presentation Folder on the Moodle site.

The written assignment is an exploration of one (1) competency that students can self-select from the four "Managing Others" competencies examined in this unit. Students should select the competency that they wish to develop based on self analysis and reflection, which they believe will enhance their ability to manage others.

1. Empathy
2. Managing Teams and Groups
3. Managing Conflict
4. Developing others/Mentoring.

It is important to note that the exploration is not just a review of the topic. Rather students need to identify the conceptual, behavioural and attitudinal aspects that typify managers who have developed these competencies. The key authors associated with the input based competency movement such as Goleman, Mckee, Hielregal, Salovey and Mayer, Boyatzis etc. describe the behaviours that managers who have developed this competency exhibit. This is an important aspect of the report.  Students need to not only summarise the conceptual knowledge associated with the competency, but identify the specific behaviours that managers with this competency exhibit. Furthermore students need to identify evidence that their chosen competency leads to superior performance. This information then becomes the analytcial frame that is the basis for the reflective assignment and action plan.

This section should be between 1200-1500 words in length and cite a minimum of 12 quality academic sources. 

1. Clear definition and overview of the chosen competency, using the key authors such as Goleman, Boyatizis, Pedler etc

2. A concise summary of the conceptual knowledge of the chosen competency

3. A discussion of the behaviours exhibited by managers who have developed this competency.

4. Identification of at least two (2) sources of evidence that managers with this competency are more effective or demonstrate superior performance.

5. Breadth and quality of research, using a minimum of 12-16 academic sources.

The second presentation task will focus on a particular "managing others" issue that can include performance management, how individuals accept or resist change or whether managers have demonstrated good practice and followed appropriate procedures. Each group will be given a case study that details a particular scenario that the team is to analyse with appropriate reference to theories and models discussed in this unit. Students are expected to research similar cases available through employer sites, union sites and Fair Work (Australia) so that precedents can be used to support conclusions and or recommendations. The group will assume the role of organisational consultants, similar to consultants from companies such as KPMG, Ernst and Young etc., or as internal consultants from departments such as Legal, Governance or HR. The group should assume that they are presenting to the organisation's CEO or Board identifying any problems, processes, good or poor management practices and the implications for the organisation. Each member of the group is required to contribute to the preparation and delivery of each of the presentations. On campus, students are also required to be in class for all presentations.

A one page executive summary of key issues, reference list and copy of the powerpoint slides must be provided to the Unit facilitator before the presentation.

Please note these are the minimum requirements for this assignment. Students who only submit the minimum should not expect more than a minimum grade.

To assist students indicative rubrics and audio files for the assignment are available on the Moodle site

1. Ability to deliver concise, structured, and accurate analysis with introduction, main presentation and conclusion.

2. Ability to use key theories, concepts, and models to analyse the managing others issue.

3. Ability to source industry relevance standards, cases or legislation to support analysis and recommendations.

4. Ability to meet professional standards in the use of audio visuals and verbal communication, and deliver the presentation within the time allocation.

5. Ability to prepare a one page Executive Summary that details key findings and recommendations, with a reference list.

6. Ability to work in a collaborative and effective manner as a team.

The purpose of the assignment is to increase the student’s self-awareness by reflecting on their level of capability in the competency explored in assignment 2. Students are to complete at least three diagnostic tools specifically related to the chosen competency. Students must reflect on their level of competence by analysing at least one specific work related event from within the past 12 months, using the conceptual knowledge and behaviours identified in assignment 2, being those exhibited by managers who have developed this competency, as the basis of the analysis, contrasting these with the results of the diagnostic tools.

Based on the results of the self-analysis, students are to identify one learning or developmental need that will enhance their competence, and devise an action-learning contract that will address the issue. This means identifying a range of tasks, activities or learnings, that must be actionable and related to conceptual, behavioural or attitudinal competent of the chosen competency. Examples can include identifying further units at CQUniversity, short courses offered by other providers and professional bodies, reflective journals and or industry training. This section can be presented in either descriptive or in table form.

Please note these are the minimum requirements for this assignment. Students who only submit the minimum should not expect more than a minimum grade.

To assist students indicative rubrics and audio files for  the assignment are available on the Moodle site

Inclusion and understanding of a minimum of three relevant diagnostic tools distributed or completed in class. (Results sheet attached as appendicies)

Demonstration of self-analysis, including reflection on diagnostic results directly linked to examples of own behaviour and relevant conceptual and behavioural competency literature

Presentation of a development plan that identifies specific activities and appropriate time-frames for implementation.

Breadth and quality of research, using a minimum of 12-16 academic sources.