The aim of this assessment is for you to examine a strategic people management issue within a specific organisational context and recommend a solution. I want to encourage you to 'lift the level of analysis' and consider the issue from an organisational/macro level perspective, taking the strategic role of people in organisations into consideration. 

You are expected to identify a strategic people management issue; taking the specific organisational context into consideration and drawing on material covered in this course, recommend appropriate strategy(ies) to resolve the issue. This information is to be presented as a report for consideration by the senior management team of the chosen organisation. I describe the process in detail below:

1. Select a people management issue:(e.g., difficulty in retaining skilled employees, employees working in silos in different departments, low level of engagement among employees) that is prevalent in your organisation or in an organisation of your choice if you are not currently working. Please note that the issue must be of strategic importance (i.e., it is an issue that affects a large section or majority of the organisation and can impact organisation’s strategic goals). For example, employee turnover within just one small unit may not be relevant, however an overall culture of working in silos is likely to affect the achievement of organisational strategic goals. 

2. Research and find as much information on the issue and the organisational context. Collect data to examine the extent of the issue and how the issue is affecting the organisation’s strategic goals. If relevant, find background information to the issue. When you consider the relevant context, take both internal organisational context (e.g., organisation is in a growth phase) as well as external context (e.g., an industry-wide shortage of skilled employees) into consideration. 

3. Consider appropriate strategies to resolve the issue. Draw on course material and wider organisational behaviour and human resource management literature. Remember, people management issues are often ‘knotty’ problems that require a sophisticated response. From your list of potential strategies, narrow down to a few (no more than three) recommended strategies that you think are best suited to the particular problem context.

4. Compile your report.  Consider the audience for this report i.e., senior management group of your chosen organisation. Ensure that your report is a single cohesive document.  

Following sections are recommended for your report: 

· Executive Summary (approx. 500 words) - Provide a synopsis of the complete report by summarizing key sections of the report

· Introduction (approx. 100 words) - Briefly introduce the organisation and the issue

· Context (approx. 900 words) – Contextualize the issue by providing a detailed description of the issue, organisational and external context (if relevant). Support your description using a succinct summary of data and information you have gathered. Detailed information and data analysis details can be provided as an appendix

· Strategic Significance (approx. 500 words) - Explain the impact this issue could have on organisational or unit performance/growth/survival if the issue is not resolved. I strongly encourage you to 'lift the level of analysis' and examine strategic impact of the issue by linking the issue to specific strategic goals. Use both data you have gathered and relevant academic research to support your arguments

· Recommendations (approx.1000 words) – This section should be in two parts. First, describe people management strategy (strategies) that you recommend. Second, explain how each of these provide appropriate solution(s) to the issue within the particular organisational context. I encourage you to focus on 1-3 well-supported strategies and describe these in detail. Use relevant research to support your arguments

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