Management and Leadership
Information Based Decision Making
Instructions:
You are required to prepare five short written statements and a brief reflection statement demonstrating your knowledge and understanding of how data that supports decision making is used, presented and communicated. You are encouraged to include examples from your work area or from an organisation with which you are familiar.
Your assignment should be between 2,500 to 3,000 words. You should make appropriate use of tables, graphs, diagrams, Gantt charts and flowcharts and you must reference any sources you have used to complete this assignment listing reference journals, books, web sites. Your assignment must include a bibliography.
Part 1: By completing this unit, you should now be able to identify and select sources of data and information (Learning Outcome 1)
- Examine and provide examples of the differences between data and information, including both quantitative and qualitative examples.
- Evaluate at least three different sources of management data and information, preparing a table to evaluate the benefits and possible limitations of each source of information in terms of its usefulness in helping managers to make sound business decisions.
- Discuss the selection criteria you would apply to ensure the quality and integrity of the data and information you use for management decision making. Provide reasons for each selection criterion.
Illustrate your answers with examples from your own workplace where possible.
(Indicative word count: 600 - 700)
Assessment Criteria:
Examine the nature of data and information
Evaluate relevant sources of data and information
Discuss the criteria for selection of data and information
Part 2: By completing this unit, you should now be able to identify and select sources of data and information (Learning Outcome 1 continued)
- Write a summary to demonstrate your understanding of current legislation regarding the collection, use and storage of data and information. Describe the responsibilities this places on organisations and their employees to protect individuals and maintain integrity of data. Use practical examples to show how the terms of the legislation apply to your business operations.
(Indicative word count: 250- 350)
Assessment Criteria:
Identity the legal requirements relating to the collection, use and storage of data and information
Part 3: By completing this unit, you should now be able to analyse and present information to support decision making (Learning Outcome 2)
- Evaluate at least three different decision making models and provide examples of business situations when it would be appropriate to use each of these. Show how you have used one of these models in the context of a business scenario of your choice, or use a live example if possible. Explain why you chose the model in your example and why others were rejected.
Illustrate your answers with examples from your own workplace where possible.
(Indicative word count: 400 - 550)
Assessment Criteria:
Evaluate the decision making models which are used to support decision making
Part 4: By completing this unit, you should now be able to analyse and present information to support decision making (Learning Outcome 2 continued)
- Identify at least two different job roles within an organisation which could be involved in analysing information and making decisions.
- Evaluate three different formats in which decisions may be presented to aid understanding, explaining the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Illustrate your answers with examples from your own workplace where possible.
(Indicative word count: 550 - 600)
Assessment Criteria:
Identify those to be involved in analysing information and decision making
Evaluate methods of presenting decisions made
Part 5: By completing this unit, you should now be able to communicate the results of information analysis and decisions (Learning Outcome 3)
- Evaluate communications theory using work based examples to compare and contrast the mix of communications channels you could use to advise colleagues and other stakeholders of decisions made following analysis of management information.
- Discuss how you would plan and implement your chosen communication method(s).
- Evaluate the outcomes of the communication(s) identifying improvement opportunities.
Illustrate your answers with examples from your own workplace where possible.
(Indicative word count: 700 - 800)
Assessment Criteria:
Evaluate methods of communicating decisions
Discuss the processes for implementing a communications method
Evaluate the implementation of a communication method
Reflective Statement
Describe how you believe the knowledge and understanding you have gained from completing this unit will help you to improve the effectiveness of your decision-making in the future.
(Indicative word count: 250 - 300)
Final Checklist
Before submitting this assignment for assessment check that you have completed the following:
1. Correctly referenced sources used within the assignment.
2. Included a bibliography.
3. Answered all the questions and completed the Reflective Statement.
4. Checked spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Assessment Guidance:
1. To pass the assignment, students must gain a ‘pass' in each of the Learning Outcomes must be assessed using the assessment criteria as a framework/context for the learning outcomes
2. Students must use the assignment template which ensures each part of the assignment is directly linked to a specific Learning Outcome
3. Students need to demonstrate that they understand and can relate their learning to the roles of managers and leaders
4. Assignments should be based on the student's own research, investigation and analysis and where possible link to work based examples and performance
5. Assignments should be between 2,500 and 3,000 words
6. Students should make appropriate use of tables, graphs, diagrams and charts (these do not contribute to the word count)
7. Students must ensure that reference sources such as books, journal articles, reports and websites are fully referenced: the assignment must include a reference list and bibliography
8. The assignment MUST NOT contain plagiarism
9. Students should produce a reflective statement of no more than 300 words, describing the value and knowledge gained from undertaking this assignment/unit. (N.B. The reflective statement is not assessed, however it must be completed as it encourages students to review the value and application of their learning)
10. Students can submit one draft of the assignment for feedback by an assessor prior to final submission
11. Assessors should use the following guidance to determine the assignment grade.