MNG00724 – S1 2017 Human Resource Management ASSIGNMENT 3 Report (Business Case)Assignment 3: Requirements Length Group/ Individual Weighting Week/ Due 2,500 words +/- 10% Individual 30% Week 11, 8th May 9amTasks (see the Unit Information Guide) In constructing a Business Case for an HRM initiative, discuss the importance of cost-benefit analysis, Return on Investment (ROI) and short/long term evaluation. You may use examples from your own experience.Marking Rubric – Assignment 3 Marking Rubric MNG10724 – Assignment 3 – S1 2017 - Report (Business Case)– 30 marks (30% of the Unit Grade) High Distinction (85-100%) Distinction (75-84%) Credit (65-74%) Pass (50-64%) Fail (<50%) Grasp of unit concepts and applications (maximum 10 marks) Demonstrates a deep knowledge and a superior use of unit concepts and applications in addressing the main issues included in a Business Case. Demonstrates an ability to use unit concepts and applications in addressing the main issues included in a Business Case. A broader strategic level of understanding could have been provided. Demonstrates a sound knowledge of the unit concepts and issues in addressing the main issues included in a Business Case. Introduces concepts that are somewhat unrelated, which detracts from the major issues. Shows a basic knowledge of most of the unit concepts, and addresses key problems in addressing the main issues included in a Business Case. but does so in a somewhat superficial way Shows little understanding of the unit concepts, issues and problems in developing a Business Case. Omits discussion of significant parts of a Business Case. Analytical skills and critical analysis (maximum 10 marks) A sophisticated argument; logically structured and extremely well-supported with originality. Demonstrates superior analytical skills, and critical analysis of the issues involved in a Business Case. Logically organized, with key points/arguments, and key criteria for evaluating the issues in a Business Case. Critical Case Analysis is robust, demonstrating effective analytical skills. Well organized analysis; key arguments and key criteria for evaluating the issues in a Business Case are well identified, but with some gaps in the analytical process. A good attempt at analysis, with key points and key arguments demonstrating a basic grasp of the analytical processes. Analysis was poor and superficial and failed to demonstrate an understanding of the processes of critical analysis. Critical reflective Analysis (maximum 6 marks) Your reflective critical analysis displays a great depth of consideration and critical thought in your approach to the Business Case. There is an excellent evidence of personal learning and development in in constructing your responses for the Business Case. Your reflective critical analysis displays a significant consideration and critical thought in your approach to the Business Case. There is good evidence of personal learning and development in constructing your responses for the Business Case. Your critical reflective analysis demonstrates a good understanding and critical thought in your approach to the Business case. There is some evidence of personal learning and development in constructing your responses for the Business Case. Your critical reflective analysis demonstrates a satisfactory understanding and critical thought in your approach to the Business Case. There is limited evidence of personal learning and development in constructing your responses for the Business Case. Your critical reflective analysis is somewhat shallow and lacking in self-awareness in relation to the critical thought in your approach to the Business case. There is little evidence of personal learning and development in constructing your responses for the Business Case. Communication and format and research Skills (maximum 4 marks) Exceptionally well presented; written in a fluent and engaging style; exemplary referencing formatting. Assignment does not exceed word limit. Excellent research capabilities (8 journal articles). Higher-order writing skills are evident. Greater consistency will improve the overall quality of your work; good format and relevant appendices. Assignment does not exceed word limit. Good research capabilities (6 journal articles). Assignment structure is suitable; appendices are generally relevant; some spelling errors; format, vocabulary and sentence structure are generally good. Assignment does not exceed word limit. Above-average research capabilities (4 journal articles). Assignment structure is suitable but with some flaws; appendices need attention. Grammar, spelling, punctuation, writing and syntax need improvement. Assignment does exceed word limit. Average research capabilities (3 journal articles). The assignment is not professionally presented; writing is ineffective due to numerous spelling and/or grammatical errors; appendices overlong or not relevant. Assignment exceeds or does not meet word limit to a great extent. Inadequate research capabilities.Business Case Format Assignment cover sheet Title page (optional) Executive Summary Table of Contents 1. HRM Initiative 2. Cost-Benefit Analysis 3. Return on Investment (ROI) 4. Evaluation 5. Business Case Summary 6. Critical Reflective Analysis References Appendices (maximum three) Word Count (From points 1 to 6)Business Case Format Note: The Business Case format follows the guidelines provided in the PPT for Topic 8 but for the purposes of Assignment 3 a Critical Reflective Analysis is included which will summarise what you have learnt about a Business Case.Executive Summary ØThe Executive Summary should be written last, when the assignment is completed and should be less than one page. ØClear and Brief overview of the key points covered in the Assignment. ØNo references are required. Table of Contents • Should be included in a new page after the Executive Summary. • The Table of Contents below is a generic suggestion only TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary 2 1. HRM Initiative 4 2. Cost-Benefit Analysis 6 3. Return on Investment (ROI) 8 4. Evaluation 9 5. Business Case 10 6. Critical Reflective Analysis 12 References 13 Appendices 14HRM Initiative • Brief outline of the HRM initiative that you have chosen for your Business Case analysis • Examples of initiatives might be: – A major manager development program – Outsourcing specialist selection processes – Development of a Human Resource Information System – Establishing a supervisor mentoring program – etc.Building a Business Case Before proceeding further, ask yourself these questions • What is a Business Case? • Is it purely financial? • Steps towards building a Business Case • Key parameters for a Business Case considering human capital investment: Cost-benefit analysis, Return on Investment (ROI), Evaluation (to be explored in more detail in the next sections of the assignment) • How does Human Capital investment fit within the financial consideration?Cost-Benefit Analysis Cost-benefit analysis involves considering the positive outcomes (or benefits) in comparison to the costs. Supporting analysis should be provided in terms of a cost-benefit statement § The Investment – a summary of the investment required by the proposal § The Savings/Productivity/Profit – a summary of the savings or profits generated by the proposal Notes: (1) you will need to use your experience or imagination here. (2) provide a reference(s) for cost-benefit analysis processes.Return on Investment (ROI) For this assignment we suggest that you estimate a Return on Investment of X% over one year. You will NOT need to do detailed calculations. However, for those with the necessary expertise a well developed ROI proposal will be welcomed. Note: (1) provide a reference(s) to support your points about the ROI.Evaluation • Your evaluation plan is a very important part of your Business Case. You will need to provide an evaluation process, including both short-term and long-term evaluation criteria. • Example of an Evaluation Plan for monthly workshops for six months: monthly workshop evaluation. At the end of the program an evaluation of program impact (e.g. improved productivity, improved customer satisfaction, reduced absenteeism, etc.) • Remember that evaluating HR initiatives, such as talent acquisition, supervisor/manager development etc. usually is a longer term process. Note: (1) provide a reference(s) to support your points about Evaluation.Business Case • Summarise the outcomes of your Business Case Analysis and your conclusions/recommendations about the chosen HRM initiative. • Remember that you do not need to provide detailed, number-based working of the case. But you should indicate the grounds on which the initiative should proceed. Critical Reflective Analysis q The reflection is written in first person language q The Critical Reflective Analysis will summarise what you have learnt through writing about a Business Case, including the puzzles you have confronted and the insights you have developed. Critical Reflective Analysis applies both at the task level and at the personal development level. You need to comment on both levels. q The questions below will may help you to focus your reflection: ü What difficulties did you face in writing about a Business Case? ü How did you solve the difficulties? ü What major lessons did you learn about the process? • References are not required Suggestion: 200 words approximatelyReferences Ø List all references included in the body of the assignment. • Your “Bibliography” (all the stuff you have read) should not be included in an academic assignment. All references included in the Reference List MUST be used in the body of the assignment and you will be assessed on your ability to use the references to support your discussion/argument. • In academic assignments, it is better to use references from academic journals. You can use any of the articles available in this unit (eReadings, PPTs). The Study Guide and the textbook may be quoted but will not count in the list of references.Appendices Ø List all appendices mentioned in the body of the assignment. • “Tables” or “Figures” should not be included in the body of the report. They should be included as appendices. • Please analyse carefully the appendices you include to ensure that they are really relevant to your assignment. (Maximum 3 appendices of no more than one page each). • Note: In a real Business Case or a Report, relevant tables and Figures are usually provided at relevant points. However, for this assignment, Tables and Figures are used as Appendices in order to maximise the important stuff, which is your thought processes. Planning your assignment • Roughly outline the issues addressed in the tasks. This will help you to decide which reading you need to do. • Discuss your issues with your lecturer, other students, friends and with the librarian/academic skills development. • Analyse all the issues that you have identified: think about possible solutions to the problems, drawing on books/scholarly publications.Important points (1) • Double space; page numbers • Font size 12 - Times New Roman or Arial • Spell check • Referencing: Harvard referencing style (Southern Cross School of Business and Tourism) • Word count: 2,500 words +/- 10% not including tables or references – Please include the word count in the cover page. • Assignments will be submitted using Turnitin • Upload your assignment as “.doc” (or Mac equivalent) not PDFImportant Points (2) • In academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports) you are not required to do a literature review, but to carefully select relevant references to support your argument(s). Note that, however, when we write a paper for a scholarly journal or when we write a chapter for a thesis we do need to do a literature review to support our theoretical arguments. In doing this, we use a number of references together that emphasise the same issue - e.g. Effective training has a positive impact on individual performance (Author A 2009; Author B 2010; Author C 2001). You should not do this. That is, do not tack a large number of references on the end of a sentence or paragraph. Remember: the purpose of an academic assignment is different from the purpose of a scholarly paper or thesis.Important Points (3) In most academic assignments you are expected to use a formal writing style and write in the third person. Avoid using dot points/bullets. See below a note from Monash University: • ‘Bullets free the writer from having to indicate relationships, order, sequence, and all those other methods we use to expand our ideas in the development of an argument. We thus restrict ourselves when we use bullets…If you are constantly writing in point form, you are not expanding, explaining, making complex links, or indicating relationships as you can in ordinary prose.’Rules Relating to Awards - PLAGIARISM • Rule 3 Section 18 – Academic Misconduct Including Plagiarism as contained in the SCU Policy Library. You need to understand the penalties that apply for plagiarism and agree to be bound by these rules. The work you submit electronically must be entirely your own work. http://policies.scu.edu.au/view.current.php?id=00140#s18Extension Policy • Extension must be requested at least 24 hours before the assessment item is due and will not be automatically granted; • the request, including reasons, must be received in writing (email) by the unit assessor with a copy to your lecturer/tutor; • extensions within 24 hours of submission or following the submission deadline will not be granted (unless supported by a doctor’s certificate); • exceptional circumstances will be considered on a case by case basis by the Unit Assessor; • extensions will be for a maximum of 48 hours (longer extensions supported by a doctor’s certificate or exceptional circumstances will be considered on a case by case basis). • A penalty of 5% of the total available marks will accrue for each 24-hour period that an assessment item is submitted late. Therefore an assessment item worth 20 marks will have 1 mark deducted for every 24-hour period and at the end of 10 days will receive 0 marks.Useful Resources • SCU Library resources online • Assignment Navigator: This site provides advice, resources and strategies to help you successfully complete your assignments http://www.scu.edu.au/assignment-navigator/GOOD LUCK!!