LO1Understand the scope and context of strategic change

Overview of assessment tasks

Each task in this assessment brief has been developed to enable you to evidence achievement of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria for CMI 705: Leading Strategic Change. Each of the assessment criteria must gain a pass outcome for you to successfully achieve the unit.

Preparation for the assessment

• Before you begin the assessment brief please read the CMI 705 unit specifications thoroughly as only the content related to the achievement of the assessment criteria will be assessed.
• Research the topics being assessed. Suggested reading/web resources are provided on the CMI 705 unit specification. Your tutor may signpost you to relevant resources. Additionally, you may access excellent online resources at ManagementDirect https://members.md.cmi.org.uk/.
• If you are enrolled on the Trailblazer Apprenticeship programme you are encouraged to review the Senior Leader Master’s Degree Apprenticeship standard.
• The assessment brief contains a series of tasks which are clearly referenced to the relevant assessment criteria and indicative content.
• Refer to the Assessment Guidance Table at the end of the assessment brief which outlines the requirements for a Pass or Refer.
• Evidence must be provided in the evidence booklet. Additional work-based evidence such as plans or documentation (which has been referred to within the main text) should be included at the end of the booklet marked ‘Work Based Evidence’. Appendices are not a requirement of this assessment brief. If appendices are included these will not be marked or moderated by the CMI.
• Work based evidence must be accompanied by a supporting statement in the learner evidence box, to explain the link to the assessment criteria. Work based evidence (where required by the task) must not exceed SIX (6) pages. Files embedded in the booklet must not exceed 10MB.
• The evidence booklet must be completed in a professional manner (e.g. applying business conventions for writing formal reports) and by using Microsoft Word, Rich Text Format or another compatible software programme.
• An appropriate referencing system (such as Harvard Referencing) must be used to ensure the original source(s) of quotations or models can be verified.
• Finally, you must sign the Learner Authenticity statement (an electronic signature is accepted).

Completing the assessment brief

Learner support

For information regarding policies and procedures for assessment (e.g. special assessment arrangements, learner support, appeals, complaints, certification, confidentiality, plagiarism) you should contact your tutor or Centre manager and refer to the CMI Level 7 in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice.

For organisations to remain competitive, reactive to the needs and expectations of stakeholders and respond effectively to changing national and international markets, leaders must be able to navigate the organisations they lead effectively through strategic change.

Assessment brief CMI 705 has been designed to enable leaders to evidence their understanding of the scope, context and complexity of leading strategic change. They will evidence their understanding of the application of analytical techniques and creative problem-solving for change, and apply theories and models for leading change. The unit culminates in the requirement for leaders to develop a proposal to lead a strategic change.

Assessment brief CMI 705 features the following assessment tasks. Further detail is provided against each assessment task within the brief.

Guideline word count

The written word, however generated and recorded, is still expected to form the majority of assessable work produced by Learners at Level 7. The amount and volume of work for this unit should be broadly comparable to a word count of 4000 - 4500 words within a margin of +/-10%. The excessive use of word count is not grounds for referral, however the CMI reserve the right to return work to the Centre for editing and resubmission by the Learner.

The following are excluded from inclusion in word count, if used and not required by the assessment brief an introduction to a job role, organisation or department, index or contents pages, headings and sub headings, diagrams, charts and graphs, reference list or bibliography, reflective statement drawn from undertaking the assessment and how this has impacted on the learner’s work.

Please see the CMI Assessment Guidance Policy for further guidance.

Strategic change is essential if an organisation is to remain competitive, react to the needs and expectations of stakeholders and respond to changing national and international markets.

The aim of Task 1 is to enable leaders to evidence their understanding of the scope, context and drivers for organisational change. They will appraise the complexity of leading strategic change and how the application of theories and models can guide their approach to its management.

You are required to write a report entitled:

‘The scope and context of strategic change.’

The report must include well-chosen examples and reference to theory. It must be presented in THREE (3) sections:

i. The scope, context and drivers for organisational change

You are required to discuss the scope, context and drivers for organisational change (AC1.1)

ii. The complexities of leading strategic change

You are required to critically appraise a minimum of THREE (3) complexities of leading strategic change (AC1.2)

iii. Theories and models for leading and managing strategic change

You are required to critically evaluate a minimum of THREE (3) theories and models for leading and managing strategic change (AC1.3)

Leaders must be able to navigate an organisation through strategic change.

The aim of Task 2 is for leaders to propose a strategy for leading strategic change. They will reflect on how approaches to leadership can be applied to successfully deliver the strategy.

For a strategic change of your own choosing, you are required to develop a proposal entitled:

‘Leading strategic change.’

The proposal must be presented in TWO (2) sections:

i. Proposal for leading strategic change (AC2.1)

You are required to develop a proposal for leading strategic change which will include:

• An outline of the proposed strategic change
• Aims and objectives of strategic change
• Alignment of strategic change to the strategic goals of the organisation
• Tools and techniques to deliver strategic change
• Potential impact and consequences of strategic change
• Communication strategy to support and disseminate strategic change

ii. Leadership approaches to deliver the strategic change (AC2.2)

You are required to reflect on how approaches to leadership can be applied to deliver the strategy for change.