Unit Assessment: CHRM Business Issues and the Contexts of Human Resources Unit Type: Core 5CHR Assessment Code: NAB No 5CHR IHR102001 (QCF) Background to Unit Human resources (HR) professionals need to understand key developments in the business and external contexts within which HR operates. This unit enables learners to identify and review the business and external contextual factors affecting organisations and to assess the impacts of these factors on the HR function. The unit also examines HR’s role in strategy formulation and implementation. The unit is designed to encourage learners to adopt a critical perspective of these contexts and to provide workable organisational and HR solutions to address them. Learning outcomes 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. Assessment criteria Learning outcomes The learner will: Assessment criteria The learner 1 Understand the key contemporary can: business issues and main external factors affecting different organisations and the impact on HR. 1.1 Assess a range of different factors which impact on an organisation’s business and its HR function. 2. Understand how organisational and HR strategies and practices are shaped and developed 2.1 Analyse the forces shaping the HR agenda. 2.2 Compare different tools for analysing the business environment. 2.3 Explain the key stages in strategy formulation and implementation and the role of HR. 2.4 Examine HR’s contribution to business ethics and accountability. Ref: 5CHR IHR102001 (QCF) NAB July 2016 Edn QCF unit ref K/507/82123. Know how to identify and respond to changes in the business environment 3.1 Evaluate business performance and the role of HR in business planning and the change management agenda. 3.2 Assess and utilise different sources of business and contextual data for planning purposes. Your task You have been asked by your CIPD Branch to lead a discussion at one of its events on ‘The evolving role of HR in the contemporary business world’. You have been asked to produce a paper for inclusion in the delegate pack. In your paper, you should include the following:  An analysis of some of the key forces which shape the HR agenda e.g. models of the HR function, HR strategies, insights and solutions to support business performance, business ethics and accountability. (AC2.1)  Compare different tools for analysing the business environment e.g. SWOT, PESTLE, Porter’s 5 Forces etc. (AC 2.2)  Assess a range of different factors which impact on an organisation’s business and its HR function. You should include examples of external and internal factors to illustrate the different types of impact. (AC1.1)  Summarise the key stages in strategy formulation and implementation with reference to a model from the literature. You should also refer to the role of HR in each of the stages and in particular, highlight HR’s contribution to business ethics and accountability. (AC 2.3 and 2.4)  Give some examples of how business performance can be evaluated, making reference to traditional and modern indicators. You should make particular reference to the role of HR in business planning and change management with some examples to illustrate HR’s key role. (AC 3.1)  Explain how different sources of business and contextual data can be assessed and utilised for planning purposes e.g. internal information within the organisation including HR metrics, industry information e.g. trends in HR, competitive information, government information. (AC 3.2) Evidence to be produced/required A written paper of approximately 3,300 words in total. You should 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 correctly and a bibliography provided where appropriate (these should be excluded from the word count). Ref: 5CHR IHR102001 (QCF) NAB July 2016 Edn QCF unit ref K/507/8212Guidance about the assessment:  do make sure you refer to the assessment criteria (AC) above so you do not miss anything out in your answer. Sometimes one question will cover more than one AC, make sure you cover all the requirements in your answer, and make this clear in your heading;  we strongly advise that you read the Assessment Guidance sheet provided (focus on the assessment criteria relevant for this assessment), in your pack, and/or on the VLE. This helps with the context of the assignment itself. The two documents work together to clarify what is required;  you need to refer to best practice and relevant legislation where appropriate, and include reference to appropriate literature sources to demonstrate your wider reading;  when referencing your research and wider reading, remember to include a reference list of your sources and a Bibliography attached to your work (not included in the word count). Guidance on how to do this can be found on the VLE. Knowing how to reference correctly is a useful skill for those at this level, and moving to higher qualifications. Failure to produce perfect referencing will not on its own lead to a Refer or Fail, but it is taken into account when reviewing for a Pass mark. Submission deadlines Submission Checklist  3300 word assessment  Updated PDP and reflective summary of your performance against the plan Ref: 5CHR IHR102001 (QCF) NAB July 2016 Edn QCF unit ref K/507/8212