Executive Summary 150-word maximum summary of your report, including key recommendations.

Introduction Short (approximately 150 words) introduction to the report setting out what the aims and objectives of the report are, what the report will cover and why.

The importance of organisational creativity and innovation. Why is creative thinking difficult for many people?

Analysis Using third party sources (e.g. academic literature or practitioner-orientated material) for support, analyse the theoretical concept underpinning individual blocks to creative thinking and a critical evaluation of how structured techniques, or alternative approaches, might be used to enhance creative thinking.

You should make reference to any relevant models, and frameworks and provide evidence.(Approximately 700 words)

Conclusions This section should initially answer the report aim and objectives and draw together the main points from your analysis of literature.

It summarises what has been learned from undertaking this analysis. No new information should be presented in the conclusions. (Approximately 250 words)

Recommendations The recommendations for action should be linked to promoting and sustaining organisational creativity and innovation, or to enhancing the existing levels.

In other words, your recommendations should cover conceivable contingencies for promoting individual creativity and innovation at work.(Approximately 250 words)

Reference List A list of all sources cited directly in the text. Harvard style

Task:

In this unit we consider many alternative approaches and perspectives on how organisational creativity and innovation might be promoted or blocked in practice across multiple levels: individual, group and organisation. Assignment 1 is specifically concerned with promoting individual creativity as it contributes to the innovation process.

1. You are required to critically evaluate individual creativity in the context of your workplace, firstlythrough the identification of individual blocks that inhibit the process, and secondly you will need to consider which of the alternative approaches is most relevant in this context as an intervention designed to promote individual creativity and innovation.

2. You will then need to demonstrate a systematic understanding and critical appreciation of the process of creativity and innovation drawing on contemporary theories to support your evaluation and synthesis.

3. You will develop a plan to promote individual creative thinking in your work organisation with a view to enhancing innovation. You will need to include an in-depth literature review critically evaluating alternative contemporary perspectives in order to draw meaningful conclusions and develop feasible recommendations.

4. You will present your analysis and plan in report format of approximately 1500 words excluding references and appendices.

5. In the unlikely event that your work organisation prevents adequate analysis the UK Tutor can agree an alternative. You are not permitted to use a case study of your own choice unless approved in advance by the UK tutor. Use of an unapproved alternative case study will result in failure of the assignment.

You will need to demonstrate achievement of the Learning Outcomes for this unit.

On completion of this unit you should be able to:

1 Demonstrate a systematic understanding and critical appreciation of theories and models of creativity, innovation and change management in the context of contemporary organisations.

2 Synthesise individual and organisational theoretical perspectives to systematically promote the potential for creativity, innovation and change in practice.

To pass on this assessment, as an absolute minimum (40%) your work will need to meet the following threshold standards.

1 Demonstrate a critical knowledge and understanding of challenges and opportunities in promoting organisational creativity and innovation.
Synthesise alternative perspectives of influential contemporary theorists, contributors and models.

2 Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, abilities and approaches necessary to effectively orchestrate organisational systems to promote and sustain creativity, innovation and manage change.

Synthesise capability across multiple levels to add value and optimise creativity, innovation and organisational performance.