Business Case for Implementing Communication and Collaboration Changes in Luton Town Residences

1 Demonstrate the following knowledge and understanding

·Recognise, understand and discuss the interaction between functional elements and understand the key drivers of operational management and understand the use of analysis, data and information in operational performance of organisations

2 Demonstrate the following skills and abilities

Work with others to achieve shared goals and apply problem solving techniques appropriately and with an appreciation of how communication, information technology and numeracy skills can help in the world of business.

What am I required to do in this assignment?

You start the research for the topic as a group exercise in Week 6 – once that week has completed you use your group research and discussions as the starting point for your individual submission in Week 7.

This assignment is deliberately set as a time limited activity and you have specific time to write it up. This is to replicate what happens in the workplace. It is supposed to be challenging – when you engage in the unit and learning materials and classroom activity you will have access to everything you need to complete this work.

What is expected:

Write a formal report, with headings, using your reading, research, learning and journal content as a starting point. We suggest writing the report in two parts:

Written based on your research findings so in 3rd person

Your report should present a Business Case for a project to implement communication and collaboration changes in the assigned Case Study (Luton Town Residences). It should demonstrate an understanding of business functions as well as an understanding of the key elements of the Project Life-Cycle and in particular the Business Case in the Define phase (of the 4 D’s model). Your Business Case must also show application of the Weighed Score-Card tool as well an appreciation of the importance and role of stakeholders to the project.

There should be clear evidence of reading about the topic beyond the areas discussed in class and include both academic sources to support your use of key models and concepts as well as credible non-academic sources to support your discussion and evaluation of potential projects to address the issues facing the Case Study company (Luton Town Residences). You must reference your sources both in-text and in a Reference List using the Harvard-UoB style (please see referencing resources on the LRWeb for further guidance if needed).

Your Report should include the following elements:

Demonstrate the following skills and abilities

Executive summary: Describe the key points from the report, including the most important findings and recommendations.

Introduction: Explain the purpose of your report and lay out the structure of the rest of your report.

Reasons: Describe the reasons for doing the project e.g. the business problem which you are trying to solve for the Case Study company (Luton Town Residences). Provide sufficient background and contextual information on the Case Study company to allow the reader to understand the rest of your report.

Business options: Describe the different options which have been considered and recommend an option. One option must always be the ‘Do nothing’ option. This option does not result in a project. Other options might be ‘Do the minimum we can’, ‘Do something else’ etc. You should try to provide enough information that the approvers of the business case will be able to judge which option gives the best value for money. You must use the Weighed Score-Card Model to present the business options.

Expected benefits: Describe the benefits of the recommended option, in measurable terms if possible. They can be both qualitative and quantitative and supported by credible citations.

Expected dis-benefits: Describe any dis-benefits. These are actual consequences of a successful project which are negative. If possible, quantify the dis-benefits and support with credible citations.

Timescale: Describe 2 timescales: the project timescale and the timescale over which the benefits will be realised.

Costs: Describe 2 costs: the project costs, and the ongoing operations and maintenance costs which will be incurred over the benefits realisation timescale.

Conclusion: This section should draw together the main points from your investigation/analysis. It summarises what has been learnt from undertaking this research. It should evaluate the options available to The Business Case and what would impede implementation (No new information should be included in the conclusion)

Your personal reflection is based on your learning experience. You should use specific reflective models and concepts to derive insights from your experiences rather than just recount or describe what you’ve done on the unit. You should use specific activities, exercises and experiences to evidence how you have developed and used key skills in the initial learning in the unit and in the analysis of the business case for this assignment.

You might include evidence and links to key skill development in the following areas:

·Communication (both verbal and written – evidenced by classroom discussion, presentations and report writing)

·Numeracy – (evidenced by examples of use of data and statistics in your seminar activities and this submission)

·ICT (evidenced using Microsoft Office programs during the unit)

·Problem Solving (evidenced by examples of analysis and information gathering, during the unit and in the submission of the assignment)

·Working with Others (evidenced by reflecting on your experience working in teams during the unit)

Do not include any elements that have been submitted or marked in previous submissions.

What do I need to do to pass? (Threshold Expectations from UIF)

·Show evidence of topic research using resources listed in the reading list

·Show understanding and basic application of at least one planning  tool and models discussed in the unit learning

·Write the report in a formal style using headings and Harvard referencing format

·Evidence reflection on learning related to the assignment task by adding online journals

How do I produce high quality work that merits a good grade?

We will be filling this section in together in class on Week 6 make sure you have downloaded/printed out the Assignment Brief and bring it to the session with you.

 The unit leader evaluates reports based on the following criteria:

·Introduction and summary of the case study business and assignment

·Evidence of understanding and application of relevant theories to current context, case evaluation and key findings

·Reflection on Learning in the Unit and during practice week

·Structure, presentation, referencing, spelling and grammar

How does assignment relate to what we are doing in scheduled sessions?

In this assessment you will be required to work in groups and independently. You will have the opportunity to analyse real business problems from all functional aspects and develop appropriate solutions. The assessment is designed to be challenging, enabling you to obtain a systematic understanding of the topics under investigation.

How will my assignment be marked?

Your assignment will be marked according to the threshold expectations and the criteria on the following page.

You can use them to evaluate your own work and consider your grade before you submit.