Fundamentals of Governance: Parliament and Government

Understanding and Demonstrating Assessment

CriteriaFacilitator: Tony Cash

Session Outline Structuring a piece of work for

assessment (generic overview and principles)

Demonstrating all assessment criteria in your two assignments

Discussion of how to bring governance content into these structures.

Generic Criteria

Demonstrate:• knowledge, understanding and skills• ability to apply knowledge, understanding

and skills in a workplace context• all specific criteria required(We will explore CMI specific criteria in more

detail)

What Makes a Good Assignment?

• What do you think makes a good written assignment?

Demonstrating UnderstandingWe demonstrate understanding by showing

we can APPLY the theory and concepts to improve RESULTS/ OUTCOMES in the work context

Generic PrinciplesDemonstrate:• WHAT you know/ did / needs to be

done(knowledge and skills)• HOW you did it / how it should be done

(methodology and demonstrating understanding)

• OUTCOME you are aiming for/ have achieved / will achieve

CMI Criteria• In addition to the specific assessment criteria in each

unit, the learner’s work must be: – accurate, current and authentic– relevant in depth and breadth and must also show the

learner’s:• clear grasp of concepts • ability to link theory to practice, and• ability to communicate clearly in the relevant

discipline at the expected level for the qualification

Structure: ExampleTitle page Contents and appendices Acknowledgements Glossary of terms and abbreviations Statement of terms of reference Executive summary Introduction and background Main body of the investigation / project Conclusions Recommendations AppendicesBibliography

Some ThoughtsTo get started it may help to:• Write down all ideas, then structure later

Then:• Check ideas cover all criteria• Edit repeatedly!

Assignment 1: Meeting Stakeholder and Quality Needs

(NB SUMMARY – See full guidance)The scenario for this assignment is that your organisation

has been asked to produce a report for a government initiative to improve standards of governance in government departments.

In particular the report should focus on:• Best practice in stakeholder engagement and how this

compares to current practices where you are.• The quality of governance where you are and how this

compares to best practice.• Recommendations for improvements.

(3,000 words max)

Assignment 1: Meeting Stakeholder and Quality

Needs1.1 Determine organisational stakeholders and

their expectations1.2 Discuss methods of meeting stakeholder

expectations or requirements1.3 Identify methods of communicating

stakeholders’ requirements with team members

1.4 Explain processes for updating information on stakeholder requirements

Assignment 1 ctd.2.1 Discuss the meaning of quality to an

organisation2.2 Identify and apply organisational quality

policies and procedures2.3 Determine how to encourage staff to

contribute ideas to improving quality2.4 Conduct a quality audit and make

recommendations for improvement

Assignment 1 ctd3.1 Discuss the concept of and need for

continuous improvement3.2 Assess work activities and identify areas

for improvement3.3 Encourage staff to contribute ideas for

continual improvement

Assignment 2: Conducting a Management Project

[NB Summary – see full guidance]• You have been tasked to draw up an action plan in order

to project manage the implementation of a new approach to governance in your organisation.

• You need to produce a report that:– explains and justifies the scope of the project– explains the options you are considering for improving

governance– makes conclusions and recommendations. – explains how the project will be implemented and how you will

determine if it has been successful. – what resources will be required for implementation of the project.

(3,000 word max)

Assignment 2: Conducting a Management Project

1.1 Determine a management area for investigation that has an implication for a work-related area

1.2 Identify the aim, scope and objective of the project

1.3 Justify the aim and objective of the project

Assignment 2 ctd2.1 Identify sources of data and information

for the project2.2 Analyse the data and information for

options or alternatives that meet the project aim

2.3 Determine an option or alternative that meets the project aim

Assignment 2 ctd3.1 Evaluate the research to make

conclusions3.2 Recommend a course of action to meet

the project aim3.3 Assess the impact of the project

recommendations

Assignment 2 ctd4.1 Determine the medium to be used to

show the results4.2 Produce the results of the project4.3 Discuss the impact of the project on the

work-related area.

Discussion: Governance Criteria

Discuss examples that use governance issues for the various criteria

Any Questions?• Any aspects of assessment process you

want to ask about?

Action PlanningReview of:• What you have learnt from today• How specifically you will apply it

Stakeholder Issues• Define (who are they? Priorities?)• Determine their expectations and

concerns (communication)• Decide what to do with stakeholder views

(e.g. sharing with others in your organisation, letting stakeholders know what has happened)

• Decide systems for updating information (monitoring ongoing stakeholder views)

Quality: Examples of Issues• Definition of quality for a particular

organisation/ context• Measurement (e.g. reliability, efficiency,

productivity etc)• Process improvement and problem solving• Mechanisms for corrective action• Implementation and communications plan• Helping all people involved take ownership

of quality issues

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Lessons from Project Work

• Clear timetable and milestones• Clear outcomes and deliverables• Accountability• Good communication with stakeholders• Be “joined up” internally and externally• Resources identified and allocated• Risk analysis• Contingency planning.

Rational Decision-Making Overview

1. Define the decision to be made2. Establish the objectives3. Classify and define musts and wants4. Generate alternatives5. Consider alternatives against your

requirements6. Test the alternatives against musts7. Score the alternatives against wants8. Consider results