Task 1: Assessing information and knowledge needs

1.1 Discuss the range of decisions that could be taken by NHS England and Management.

1.2 Examine the information and knowledge needed to ensure effective decision taking based on operations and issues in the scenario.

1.3 Assess internal and external sources of information and understanding based on the scenario

Task 2: Stakeholders, Personal networking and Decision-making process

2.1 Identify both internal and external key stakeholders of NHS England who should be involved in the decision-making process in the issue highlighted in the scenario.

2.2 Explain how NHS England can make contact with their internal and external stakeholders, whilst developing business relationships.

2.3 Explain how NHS England can involve the identified stakeholders in the decision-making process, as appropriate.

2.4 In your capacity as a consultant, design strategies for improving personal networking and involvement of stakeholders in the decision-making process based on the scenario and, justify your recommendations for improvement.

Task 3: Communication Processes in an Organisation

Scenario for Task 3:

In this task, you will need to select and analyse the communication processes within a familiar organisation. This could be a workplace, a past employer or a previously researched company. In your selection of the organisation, make sure you will have access to both internal and external communication processes adopted by that organisation. This organisation should have a website that can be cited within your work. In your work, find effective ways of communicating your research to your colleagues and lecturers. In particular, you recognise that effective communication helps to improve relationships at work and other social situations by deepening your connections to stakeholders and improving teamwork, decision-making and problem solving for the success of an organisation.

3.1 Report on existing processes of communication that you have researched and observed in your selected organisation:

(i) Between management and employees
(ii) Between the organisation and its customers

3.2 Design ways to improve the appropriateness of the communication processes that you have identified in AC3.1 above.

3.3 Explain how the improvements to the ways IT systems (that you have suggested above in 3.2) can be implemented to ensure greater integration of systems of communication within the organisation.

3.4 Based on Scenario for Task 3, create a personal plan to improve your own communication skills, reflecting on the effectiveness of such a plan.

Use the following guidelines to help you in preparing and creating an effective personal communication development plan:

(i) List four communication skills relevant to your role (These may be classified under verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills).

(ii) Identify two strengths in your communication skills, and describe how each will enable you to be more effective in your role.

(iii) Identify two weaknesses in your communication skills and describe how each weakness can be improved.

(iv) Create your own Action Plan using a SMART Objective technique:

(v) Produce a Self-Reflective Summary

Task 4: Improving Access to Systems of Information and Knowledge

Scenario for Task 4:

You are an Information Systems development specialist working for a Knowledge Management company in London. You have been hired by a college to produce information systems that could be used by registry, students and lecturers in supporting their teaching and learning. Propose information systems that will help the college improve the collection, formatting, storage and dissemination of information and knowledge. Suggest possible ways of improving access to these vital resources. Based on the Scenario for Task 4, you are expected to:

4.1 Report on existing approaches to the collection, formatting, storage and dissemination of information and knowledge to support the teaching and learning at the College.

4.2 Carry out appropriate changes to improve the collection, formatting, storage and dissemination of information and knowledge involving the teaching and learning at the University.

4.3 Suggest one possible way (strategy) which you think can be used more effectively to improve access to information and knowledge for all internal and external stakeholders.

Possible stakeholders may include students, lecturers, management, employees and other external agencies associated with the college. Include some possible benefits of increasing access to information and knowledge for all staff and students in support of teaching and learning at the college.