Higher Nationals

Assignment Brief – BTEC (RQF)

Higher National Certificate in Business

Student Name/ID Number

Unit Number and Title Unit 4 Management and Operations

Academic Year 2017-18

Unit Assessor Richard Harrison

Assignment Title Leadership and Management Concepts

Issue Date 2nd February 2018

Submission Date Thursday, 29th March 2018, 16:00

IV Name Teresa Bennett

Date 17th January 2018

Submission Format:

The submission is in the form of an individual written report. This should be written in a concise,
formal business style using single spacing and font size 12. You are required to make use of
headings, paragraphs and sub sections as appropriate, and all work must be supported with
research and referenced using Harvard referencing system. Please also provide a bibliography
using the Harvard referencing system.

The recommended word limit for Part A is 2,000-2,500 words, although you will not be penalised
for exceeding the total word limit. As evidence for Part B, you will need to submit your
PowerPoint presentation slides (with notes) and any other handouts you use in your
presentation.

Unit Learning Outcomes:

PART A.
• L01 Differentiate between the role of a leader and the function of a manager.
• L02 Apply the role of a leader and the function of a manager in given contexts.

PART B.
• L03 Demonstrate an appreciation of the role leaders and managers play in the operations
function of an organisation.
• L04 Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between leadership and
management in a contemporary business environment

Pearson Education 2016, Higher Education Qualifications, Assignment Brief

 Assignment Brief and Guidance:

PART A: Report

You will need to produce a report for the senior leadership team that includes the following:

1. An introduction to the organisation and the management structure.

2. Definition and roles of both managers and leaders, highlighting the differences between
management and leadership.

3. The different roles of management and leadership in application to different organisational

situations, supported by theories and concepts.

4. How theories such as ‘chaos theory’ and ‘management by objectives’ apply to the
organisation and how these have support growth and sustainable performance.

5. Conclusions on how managers and leaders have made an impact on the organisation and
recommendations for future improvements.

Pearson Education 2016, Higher Education Qualifications, Assignment Brief

 PART B: Presentation

Since reporting on the role of management and leadership within your organisation as the HR
Manager, the CEO and founder have now asked you to feedback on best approaches and
practices with regards to operations management.

This will take the form of a 15 minute presentation to the leadership team that will address how
the leadership and management team can improve overall operations within the company.

To assist with this, you will need to investigate external business factors that impact upon
operational management and the decisions the management team makes.

The presentation slides should cover the following areas:

• An introduction to the key operations of the organisation.

• Details of each of the key functions, identifying the roles and responsibilities of managers in
the key operational functions.

• Explanation of the key operational approaches to operational management and their value.

• An evaluation of the impact of external business environment factors that affect decision-
making by leaders and managers.

• How operations efficiencies can be improved to successfully meet business objectives using
appropriate management and leadership approaches.

• Conclusions and supported recommendations for future improvements to be taken by the

organisation.

Resources:

Access HN Global for additional resources support and reading for this unit. For further guidance
and support on report writing please refer to the Study Skills Unit on HN Global
(www.highernationals.com).

Suggestions:

It is recommended that you use your own place of work (if appropriate). Alternatively, you may
choose another organisation as an example for this assignment.

Pearson Education 2016, Higher Education Qualifications, Assignment Brief

 Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Learning Outcome Pass Merit Distinction

L01 Differentiate P1 Define and M1 Analyse and D1 Critically analyse
between the role of a compare the different differentiate between and evaluate the
leader and the roles and the role of a leader and different theories and
function of a characteristics of a function of a manager approaches to
manager. leader and a manager by effectively applying leadership in given
a range of theories and contexts.
concepts.
L02 Apply the role of P2 Examine examples M2 Assess and
a leader and the of how the role of a evaluate the strengths
function of a leader and the function and weaknesses of
manager in given of a manager apply in different approaches to
contexts. different situational situations within the
contexts work environment.

P3 Apply different
theories and models of
approach, including
situational leadership,
systems leadership,
and contingency.
L03 Demonstrate an P4 Explain the key M3 Evaluate how D2 Critically evaluate
appreciation of the approaches to leaders and application of
role leaders and operations managers can operations
managers play in the management and the improve efficiencies of management and
operations function role that leaders and operational factors that impact on
of an organisation. managers play. management to the wider business
successfully meet environment.
P5 Explain the business objectives.
importance and value
of operations
management in
achieving business
objectives.

L04 Demonstrate an P6 Assess the factors M4 Analyse how

understanding of the within the business these different factors
relationship between environment that affect the business
leadership and impact upon environment and
management in a operational wider community.
contemporary management and
business decision-making by
environment. leaders and
management.

Pearson Education 2016, Higher Education Qualifications, Assignment Brief