Assignment focus. Lecture 8

Transcription

1 Assignment focus Lecture 8

2 Assignment focus: Outcomes Review the content for your report: 1. Apply appropriate models to the organisation to critically analyse how systems and operations are currently managed. 25% 2. Apply the techniques of soft systems methodology to analyse the current issues in the organisation. Through this analysis summarise the main business requirements of the organisation. 25% 3. Explain how the organisation can improve quality management; business improvement and excellence in their systems and operations. 25% 4. Identify the relevant people and management issues that may arise in implementing your quality management; business improvement and excellence recommendations (in 3). 15% 5. Report Style and Academic Rigour Your report should be written in good business English and be well structured and presented. 10% Understand how to structure your report.

3 Difference between a Report and an Essay Report Essay Topic Purpose Focused on a problem/ organisation investigate, present and analyse information logically. Recommend action to solve a problem. is usually a question or a proposition. to articulate a wellargued response to the question or proposition. Reader Format and Style Client/manager Objective Clearly sectioned Lecturer Subjective, but shows academic grounding Uses bullet points Not sectioned as intensively

4 Report Structure (1) Title page What do you think goes on here? Executive Summary Written last, given first. Sums up the WHOLE report (not JUST structure) but what did the report find out? What recommendations were made? Contents page Table of Figures/Diagrams What is the report about? How was analysis undertaken? What is the structure of the following report?

5 Report Structure (2) Analysis of Current Systems and Operations (sections 1 &2) Use sub-sections and headings to structure your analysis Conclusion (draw together 1&2 into main points) Main issues raised and explained (sections 3&4 justify ideas based on analysis) Specific recommendations for the business Consideration of the people and management issues that may arise when your recommendations are implemented References/Bibliography Use the Harvard Systems ( Appendices

6 1. Systems and Operations Management Analysis and Evaluation Apply appropriate models to the organisation to critically analyse how systems and operations are currently managed. This may include (but is not limited to) applying and/or analysing: the input-process-output models; 4V s typology; business process mapping; the decision-making hierarchy; systems levels; the role of systems to support business processes and pareto analysis. 25% Tip. You need to bring this together in a report that flows well so you will highlight the main points you think are important from models/techniques you apply. Do NOT just present table after table use critical analysis

7 2. Systems and Operations Management Analysis and Evaluation Apply the techniques of soft systems methodology (rich picture building; root definitions; CATWOE analysis and/or conceptual models) to analyse the current issues in the organisation. Through this analysis summarise the main business requirements of the organisation. 25% Tip. Make sure you make the issues clear through your rich picture Use root definitions to identify solutions and CATWOE to understand the context Align these to SPECIFIC business requirements, focused on the case.

8 Linking Analysis (1 & 2) to (3&4) By the time you have completed sections 1 and 2 you may face analysis-paralysis! In effect, you will have analysed the organisation so much that you feel that the report is repeating itself etc. So, now go back and make the report clear so that the big issues stand out from some of the smaller concerns. If needs be, move some of your analysis to the appendices. However, where it is an essential part of justifying your recommendations, keep it in the main body so that the reader does not need to flick back and forth.

9 3. Systems and Operations Management Explain how the organisation can improve quality management; business improvement and excellence in their systems and operations. Your recommendations should be specific and focused on the organisation. 25% Tip. Make sure you consider operations processes and systems technology in your recommendations. Consider your previous analysis and make recommendations to improve their organisation. Do not generalise too much, i.e. do not just assert they need to do BPR - Which processes? How might the processes look after reengineering (TO BE process map)

10 4. Systems and Operations Management 4 Issues Identify the relevant people and management issues that may arise in implementing your quality management; business improvement and excellence recommendations (in 3). Explain how these issues could be managed. 15% Tip. Consider the implementation of your recommendations in the organisation what people and management issues may arise and how can you manage those issues? This section should draw on theories from your other management modules.

11 Report Style and Academic Rigour Your report should be written in good business English and be well structured and presented. It should be set out as a business report, including an executive summary; introduction and conclusion. It should be written as a report for the CEO of the business, not as if it is an assignment. Your report should clearly include the academic insight, i.e. the concepts and the supporting references involved, indicated in the report and listed in the references and bibliography. 10%

12 Writing a quality business report Be clear and concise difficult to do when you have a lot of analysis and a lot to say Focus on the client and report purpose, this will help you maintain clarity and conciseness Client is Jonathan Atokowa: when writing ask yourself the questions: is this important to him and the business?; am I presenting it clearly to him?; how does it add value to making the business case for the recommendations I make? Report purpose: Analyse the current systems and operations and make logical, justified recommendations based on the analysis.

13 Common mistakes made in the past Assignment questions not answered Assignment case (Atokowa) not used in the report/ not used enough making the report a theoretical piece of work, rather than an applied one Some sections answered thoroughly but others not answered at all Very little justification of the recommendations or link between the analysis and the recommendations Poor structure, layout or formatting Inappropriate writing style Not considering it as a report for a manager Using slang/text speak for example or u instead of you, Poor grammar and spelling check your work Incorrect or inadequate referencing

14 Sources for more resources on Report Writing learning Work on your assignment

15 Questions