5CHR Assessment Brief

 

 

You will be able to:

1. Understand the key contemporary business issues and main external factors affecting different organisations and the impact on HR.
2. Understand how organisational and HR strategies and practices are shaped and developed.
3. Know how to identify and respond to changes in the business environment.

 

How will I be assessed?

 

A report of 4000 words (+/- 10%)

Remember to relate academic concepts, theories and professional practice to the way organisations operate, in a critical and informed way, and with reference to key texts, articles and other publications and by using organisational examples for illustration. All reference sources should be acknowledged using Harvard-style referencing, and a bibliography provided where appropriate (these should be excluded from the word count).

 

2.1:  Analyse various internal forces which can shape the HR agenda

 

• Briefly Introduce your organisation and its HR function (how is HR delivered, what are their priorities?)
• Analyse how TWO different HR models impact on the HR agenda of your organisation (explain key features of the model and contrast both to your organisation’s)

* You could look outside your own organisation if you have difficulty applying both models*

 

• Analyse 2 internal factors that impact your HR agenda for example; culture, organisation structure, business objectives, management structure, Ownership, Stakeholder Demands) and explain their impact

 

Analysis of models

• Ulrich model – three legged stool

  shared service centres (self-service), business partners and centres of expertise

larger organisations, HR specialists to support the managers to deliver business   strategy.  What do these legs do?  How can they help the business improve e.g.   reduced repetition and operating costs?

• Compare to HR outsourcing

  e.g. payroll or expertise or training – shapes HR  – cost/access to experts –   problems with this?

 

Internal factors

• Culture

nationalities and diversity/norms – impact HR policies.

• Structure

growing/declining business – restructure – most cost effective way?

• Stakeholders

increase performance – ROI – HR – focus team and improve performance

 

1: Assess a range of different factors which impact on an organisation’s business and its HR function.

 

• Identify and explain three external factors; for example: limits to immigration (Political), interest rates (Economic), ageing population (Socio-cultural), artificial intelligence (Technological) GDPR (Legal), increase of green policies (Environmental)

*if you discuss BREXIT be specific*

 

• Explain how these factors impact both:

– your organisation AND

– your HR function

 

Recommended layout/structure:

• 1 sub-heading per factor, provide a minimum of 2 paragraphs per factor covering the impact on your organisation and the impact on your HR function

You could produce a PESTLE analysis to provide a basis and support for this which should be placed in your appendices*

 

2.2 Compare two different tools for analysing the business environment.

 

• Identify two different analytical tools used for environmental analysis (i.e. SWOT, PESTLE, Porter’s 5 Forces)
• Briefly describe each of the models’ features, advantages and disadvantages
• Explain similarities and differences

 

You MUST provide a discussion underneath your table demonstrating comparison   of your chosen tools

 

2.3: Explain the key stages in strategy formulation and implementation and the role of HR

 

• Summarise and explain the key stages of strategy formulation and implementation using a theory (i.e. CIPD 7 Step Approach or 5 step approach which can both be found on the VLC)
• Discuss the role of HR at each stage e.g. Policy, advice, training etc.

 

2.4: Examine HR’s contribution to business ethics and accountability

 

• You could start by providing a definition of ethics and accountability
• You must explain how the HR function contributes to business ethics AND accountability

  Ethics : CIPD’s Code of conduct , Fair and transparent   processes,   confidentiality etc. (1-2 paragraphs)

  Accountability: Monitor, Whistle blowing, Policies and discipline (1 – 2   paragraphs)

• You could illustrate and underpin your answer with an explanation of your organisation

 

3.1: Evaluate business performance and the role of HR in business planning and the change management agenda

• You must present a table to outline financial AND non financial indicators of how business can be evaluated – you MUST provide two examples for each
• You must provide a discussion linking the methods to the evaluation of business performance, i.e. how effective are these methods to evaluate the performance of the business? What are they telling you about how the business is performing?

For example;  ROI – measure training and development associated with   increased sales revenue or how induction reduced turnover and therefore   improved retention rates and reduced HR costs.

 

3.1 Evaluate business performance and the role of HR in business planning and the change management agenda

• Explain the role of HR in business planning (i.e. Walton & Burgoyne)

For example; what role does HR play?  Look at the 7 steps and choose one level e.g. HR is involved at planning at level 4 e.g. HR strategy to implement corporate strategy – HRBP ensures that HR agenda mirrors business objectives

• Explain the role of HR in change management
• Consider an example of change, apply to a change management model (Kotter or Lewin) and discuss the role of HR at the different stages

 

3.2 Assess and utilise sources of business and contextual data for planning purposes.

• Use a table to present two external and two internal sources of information
• Assess both business and external sources
• Discuss how business (internal) and contextual (external) data/information can be used for planning purposes
• You could apply examples of data used in your organisation

 

Tips

• Disregard the term – report
• Brief introduction – what is the purpose of the assessment?
• Know your action/command words
• Use headings and subheadings with the corresponding assessment criterion – follow the order in the slides
• Utilise tables and appendices effectively
• Stay within word count

 

Cover Page

2.1:  Analyse various internal forces which can shape the HR agenda

• Briefly Introduce your organisation and its HR function (how is HR is delivered, what are their priorities?) (1 paragraph)
• Analyse how TWO different HR models impact on the HR agenda of your organisation (explain key features of the model and contrast both to your organisation’s) (1 paragraph each model)

  *HR Models; Ulrich, Michigan, Harvard – check the VLC*

• Identify 2 internal factors that impact your HR agenda (i.e. culture, organisation structure, business objectives) and explain their impact (two sub headings, 1 for each internal factor)

1.1: Assess a range of different factors which impact on an      organisation’s business and its HR function.

• Identify and explain 3 external factors. For example: limits to immigration (P), interest rates (E), ageing population (S), artificial intelligence (T) GDPR (L), increase of green policies (E) – if you discuss BREXIT, be specific (3 sub headings, one for each factor)
• Explain how these factors impact both:

1.your organisation (1 paragraph per factor)

2.your HR function (1 paragraph per factor)

*You could produce a PESTLE to provide a basis for this and other criteria = appendix*

 

2.2 Compare two different tools for analysing the business environment.

• Identify two different analytical tools used for environmental analysis (i.e. SWOT, PESTLE, Porter’s 5 Forces) (1 paragraph explain which you have chosen and why)
• Briefly describe each of the models’ features, advantages and disadvantages (this could be presented in a table but must contain detail)
• Explain similarities and differences (provide narrative underneath your table ensuring comparison) (2 paragraphs)

 

2.3: Explain the key stages in strategy formulation and implementation and the role of HR

• Summarise and explain the key stages of strategy formulation and implementation using a theory (i.e. CIPD 7 Step Approach from VLC) you could insert a flow chart/diagram but you MUST provide an explanation of each stage
• Discuss the role of HR at each stage e.g. Policy, advice, training etc. (this could be done along side the above or separately underneath) – ensure you are relating to the HR role – good place to utilise working examples

2.4: Examine HR’s contribution to business ethics and accountability

• You could start by defining ethics and accountability
• You must explain how the HR function contributes to business ethics AND accountability

– Ethics : CIPD’s Code of conduct , Fair and transparent processes, confidentiality etc. (1-2   paragraphs)

– Accountability: Monitor, Whistle blowing, Policies and discipline (1-2 paragraphs)

• You could illustrate your answer with an explanation of your organisation/working examples

 

3.1: Evaluate business performance and the role of HR in business planning and the change management agenda (part a)

• You must present a table to outline financial AND non-financial indicators of how business can be evaluated (two methods for each)
• You must provide a discussion linking the methods to the evaluation of business performance

1.how effective are these methods to evaluate the performance of the business?  (1 paragraph per method)

2.What are they telling you about how the business is performing? (1 paragraph per method)

3.1 Evaluate business performance and the role of HR in business planning and the change management agenda (part b)

• Explain the role of HR in planning (i.e. Walton & Burgoyne) (1-2 paragraphs)
• Explain the role of HR in change management (1-2 paragraphs)
• Consider an example of change, apply 1 change management model (Kotter or Lewin) and discuss the role of HR at the different stages

*this is a good place to include working examples*

3.2 Assess and utilise sources of business and contextual data for planning purposes.

• Use a table to present two external and two internal sources of information
• Underneath the table provide a discussion assessing both business and external sources
• Discuss how business (internal) and contextual (external) data/information can be used for planning purposes

 

Reference Page

Bibliography

Appendices

 

Useful Links

 

HR Models:

https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/strategy/hr/operating-models

https://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/article-details/is-the-ulrich-model-still-valid

https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/fundamentals/people/hr/shared-services-factsheet

https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/fundamentals/people/hr/business-partnering-factsheet

https://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/news/articles/hr-must-more-outward-looking-dave-ulrich-love-hr-conference

 

Analytical tools:

https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/strategy/organisational-development/pestle-analysis-factsheet

https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_09.htm

https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/041015/whats-difference-between-porters-5-forces-and-pestle-analysis.asp

https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_05.htm

https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/strategy/organisational-development/swot-analysis-factsheet

https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_08.htm

 

Ethics and Accountability:

https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/culture/ethics/role-hr-factsheet

https://www.changeboard.com/article-details/16969/ethics-in-hr-the-role-of-accountability/

https://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/article-details/what-is-hrs-role-in-ethics-1

 

Business Performance and HR

https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/strategy/hr

https://www.hrdconnect.com/2017/05/17/what-is-hrs-role-in-enhancing-business-performance/

https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/whats-the-role-of-hr-in-successful-business-transformation/

 

Change

https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newPPM_94.htm

https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/strategy/change/management-factsheet

https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newPPM_82.htm

 

Source:  https://www.avadolearning.com/academies/people/cipd-hr-courses/cipd-level-5-diploma-in-hr/

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Also See: CIPD Level 7 Assignments

 

5CHR Assignment Example