UNIT CMI 501: Assessment Brief: Principles of Management and Leadership in an
Organisational Context
» 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 501: Principles of Management and Leadership in an
Organisational Context. 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 501 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 501 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
• 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
• This 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 this 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.
CMI 501 Page 2 of 7 Version 1
» INTRODUCING ASSESSMENT BRIEF CMI 501
Being equipped with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to manage and lead in a variety of organisational
settings is essential if an individual and their organisation are to succeed.
Assessment brief CMI 501 has been designed to enable learners to evidence their ability to understand the impact
of an organisations structure and governance on management and leadership. Learners will evidence how
theoretical models, management and leadership approaches and styles can be applied in work settings. They will
review the knowledge, skills and behaviours to be effective in the role and propose how a culture of mutual trust,
respect and support can be developed in teams.
» ASSESSMENT TASKS AND WORD COUNT
Assessment brief 501 features the following assessment tasks. Further detail is provided against each assessment
task within the brief.
Assessment Task Learning outcomes
covered by assessment
method
Assessment criteria Guideline word
count
1 A written report entitled: The principles of management and leadership within an organisational
context
The written word, however generated and recorded, is still expected to form the majority of assessable work
produced by Learners at Level 5. The amount and volume of work for this unit should be broadly comparable to a
word count of 3500-4000 words within a margin of +/-10%. The excessive use of word count is not grounds for
referral, however the CMI reserve the right to return work to the Centre for editing and resubmission by the
Learner.
The following are excluded from inclusion in word count, if used and not required by the assessment brief: an
introduction to a job role, organisation or department; index or contents pages; headings and sub headings;
diagrams, charts and graphs; reference list or bibliography; reflective statement drawn from undertaking the
assignment and how this has impacted on the learner’s work. Please see the CMI Assessment Guidance Policy for
further guidance.
»
THE PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP WITHIN AN
ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT
Understanding the principles of management and leadership within an organisational context is dependent on
many factors. Managers need to have a thorough understanding of an organisation’s internal environment (such as
its legal status, structure, management roles, mission and vision and values and ethics). These factors influence
organisational governance and management decision making. Once this is understood managers then need to be
able to apply relevant leadership and management theories to different contexts and situations.
A manager who has an in-depth understanding of the principles of management and leadership will have the
knowledge to lead and manage individuals, teams and projects in a variety of organisational settings.
» TASK 1
You are required to write a report entitled ‘The principles of management and leadership within an organisational
context’. This must be presented in TWO (2) sections.
A. The factors which impact on an organisation’s internal environment
To complete this section of the report you are required to:
i. Examine how the legal status of an organisation impacts on the way it is governed (AC1.1)
ii. Examine how different organisational structures impact on management roles (AC1.3)
iii. Analyse the purpose of an organisation’s mission and vision statements (AC1.2)
iv. Discuss the impact of organisational values and ethics on management decision making (AC1.4)
B. The application of management and leadership theories in an organisational context
To complete this section of the report, you are required to:
i. Evaluate the relationship between management and leadership (AC2.1)
ii. Analyse how the use of different management and leadership styles impact on individuals and teams
(AC2.2)
iii. Discuss the influence of culture and values on the selection of management and leadership styles (AC2.3)
iv. Examine how management and leadership styles can be adapted in different situations (AC2.4)
Guidance for completion of Task 1
• The report should include sub headings. You may choose to include tables and diagrams (as appropriate) to
support your discussion.
• Your discussion should be underpinned with relevant theoretical principles.
• You may include good practice examples from an organisation you know well or have researched.
• Please refer to the indicative content for each assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification.
»
THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS TO BE EFFECTIVE IN A
MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP ROLE
What makes a truly effective manager? Extensive research has been undertaken to identify the knowledge, skills
and behaviours required by a manager to be effective in the role. When the requirements of a leader and manager
are formally stipulated (e.g. within national occupational standards/apprenticeship standards and role
specifications) this enables the performance of individual managers to be appraised. It also sets the standard for
those aspiring to enter the management and leadership profession.
» TASK 2
As part of the organisation’s strategy to develop a talent management programme, you are required to create a
profile of a manager who has operational or departmental responsibilities. The aim of the profile is to present the
knowledge, skills and behaviours required to be effective in the management and leadership role.
To complete the profile you are required to:
i. Assess the essential knowledge and skills required for a management and leadership role (AC3.1)
ii. Evaluate factors which impact on the selection of communication techniques required to be effective
in a management and leadership role (AC3.2)
iii. Analyse the core behaviours required to be effective in a management and leadership role (AC3.3)
Guidance for completion of Task 2
• Consider how the profile of a manager will be presented. You may present the profile in a format of your choice
(i.e. narrative, table, report, or article).
• In preparation to complete this task, take time to reflect on the knowledge, skills and behaviours that are the
hallmark of an effective manager. Consider your own management experience or the experience of being
managed by others.
• Undertake independent research on the knowledge and skills required for managers and leaders operating at this
level within different occupational areas or types of organisation.
• You are not required to include every knowledge, skill, and behaviour and communication technique in the
profile of a manager you develop. You should focus on those you feel are essential to the role.
• The profile must include sub headings. You may choose to include tables and diagrams (as appropriate) to
support your discussion.
• Refer to the indicative content for each assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification.
» BUILDING A CULTURE OF MUTUAL TRUST, RESPECT AND SUPPORT WITH TEAMS
The application of knowledge, skills and behaviours can enable a manager to build a culture of mutual trust,
respect and support with others. The approach taken by the manager to achieve this goal is dependent on having
an in-depth understanding of the organisation, individuals and teams that are managed.
» SCENARIO
A staff welfare survey has been undertaken in your organisation. Whilst staff were pleased by the range of staff
benefits that were offered to them, the survey highlighted the following areas for concern:
i. Respondents felt there was a lack of trust and respect between themselves and management.
ii. Inappropriate speech and behaviour was failing to be recognised or managed effectively.
iii. Support given by managers was inconsistent. Concerns were raised about the level of micro-management
used when they felt “competently able to get on with the job”.
iv. Respondents complained of a lack of support in their work role in relation to information sharing, problem
solving, and encouragement to pursue development/career opportunities.
v. Not all respondents felt able to raise personal or work concerns or issues with their manager.
A quality improvement group has been formed to review these findings. You have been asked to develop an
approach for building a culture of mutual trust, respect and support with teams and individuals which will be used as
a basis of discussion at the next meeting.
» TASK 3
Basing your response on the scenario or an organisation you know well or have researched:
Write a proposal which outlines how you would develop an approach for building a culture of mutual trust,
respect and support with teams and individuals. (AC3.4)
Guidance for completion of Task 3
• Choose the basis your proposal. This may be based on the scenario given above or a team from an organisation
you know well or have researched.
• The proposal may be presented in a format of your choice (i.e. narrative, report, table).
• You are encouraged to consider the use of good practice examples from an organisation you know well or have
researched.
• You may include reference to relevant theoretical principles/models/frameworks as appropriate.
• Please refer to the indicative content for each assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification.
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