UNIT CMI 701
Assessment Brief: Strategic Leadership
» KEY INFORMATION FOR LEARNERS
Overview of assessment tasks
Each task in this assessment brief has been developed to enable you to evidence achievement of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria for CMI 701: Strategic Leadership. Each of the assessment criteria must gain a pass outcome for you to successfully achieve the unit.
Preparation for the assessment
? Before you begin the assessment brief please read the CMI 701 unit specifications thoroughly as only the content related to the achievement of the assessment criteria will be assessed.
? Research the topics being assessed. Suggested reading/web resources are provided on the CMI 701 unit specification. Your tutor may signpost you to relevant resources. Additionally, you may access excellent online resources at ManagementDirect https://members.md.cmi.org.uk/
? If you are enrolled on the Trailblazer Apprenticeship programme you are encouraged to review the Senior Leader Master’s Degree Apprenticeship standard.
Completing the assessment brief
? The assessment brief contains a series of tasks which are clearly referenced to the relevant assessment criteria and indicative content.
? Refer to the Assessment Guidance Table at the end of the assessment brief which outlines the requirements for a Pass or Refer.
? Evidence must be provided in the evidence booklet. Additional work-based evidence such as plans or documentation (which has been referred to within the main text) should be included at the end of the booklet marked ‘Work Based Evidence’. Appendices are not a requirement of this assessment brief. If appendices are included these will not be marked or moderated by the CMI.
? Work based evidence must be accompanied by a supporting statement in the learner evidence box, to explain the link to the assessment criteria. Work based evidence (where required by the task) must not exceed SIX (6) pages. Files embedded in the booklet must not exceed 10MB.
? The evidence booklet must be completed in a professional manner (e.g. applying business conventions for writing formal reports) and by using Microsoft Word, Rich Text Format or another compatible software programme.
? An appropriate referencing system (such as Harvard Referencing) must be used to ensure the original source(s) of quotations or models can be verified.
? Finally, you must sign the Learner Authenticity statement (an electronic signature is accepted).
Learner support
For information regarding policies and procedures for assessment (e.g. special assessment arrangements, learner support, appeals, complaints, certification, confidentiality, plagiarism) you should contact your tutor or Centre manager and refer to the CMI Level 7 in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice.
» INTRODUCING ASSESSMENT BRIEF CMI 701
Being equipped with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to manage and lead in a variety of organisational settings is essential if an individual and their organisation are to succeed.
Assessment brief CMI 701 has been designed to enable learners to evidence their understanding of how the organisational context influences management and leadership practice. Leaders will reflect on theoretical concepts and contemporary thinking which can be used to inform approaches to working practice. Vitally, they will consider the knowledge, skills, values and beliefs which can transform management and leadership practice.
» ASSESSMENT TASKS AND WORD COUNT
Assessment brief CMI 701 features the following assessment tasks. Further detail is provided against each assessment task within the brief.
Assessment Task Learning outcomes covered by assessment method Assessment criteria Guideline word count
1 A written report entitled:
‘The role and context for strategic leadership.’ LO1 Understand the role and context for strategic leadership 1.1 Critically appraise the impact of organisational context on strategic leadership Approx.
1000 words
1.2 Critically appraise the role of the strategic leader to set and realise organisational goals
2a A written account entitled:
‘The leadership behaviours and skills required to deliver strategic goals.’ LO2 Understand the behaviours and skills for strategic leadership 2.1 Critically appraise the leadership behaviours and skills required to deliver strategic goals Approx.
2000 words
2b A reflective account entitled:
‘How the principles of strategic leadership can be applied to respond to complex organisational
challenges.’ 2.2 Critically reflect on how the principles of strategic leadership can be applied to respond to complex organisational challenges Approx.
1500 words
Guideline word count
The written word, however generated and recorded, is still expected to form the majority of assessable work produced by Learners at Level 7. The amount and volume of work for this unit should be broadly comparable to a word count of 4000 - 4500 words within a margin of +/-10%. The excessive use of word count is not grounds for referral, however the CMI reserve the right to return work to the Centre for editing and resubmission by the Learner.
The following are excluded from inclusion in word count, if used and not required by the assessment brief an introduction to a job role, organisation or department, index or contents pages, headings and sub headings, diagrams, charts and graphs, reference list or bibliography, reflective statement drawn from undertaking the assessment and how this has impacted on the learner’s work.
Please see the CMI Assessment Guidance Policy for further guidance.
» THE ROLE AND CONTEXT FOR STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
It is the role of the leader to work effectively within the organisational structure to deliver strategic outcomes. Roles are complex and no two roles are the same. One constant is the need for leaders to have a detailed understanding of business activities and the functions they perform.
The aim of Task 1 is for leaders to evidence an understanding of the role and context for strategic leadership.
» TASK 1
You are required to write a report entitled:
‘The role and context for strategic leadership’
The report must include well chosen examples, and make reference to an organisation you know well or have researched. To complete the report, you are required to critically appraise:
? the impact of organisational context on strategic leadership (AC1.1)
? the role of the strategic leader to set and realise organisational goals (AC1.2)
Guidance for completion of Task 1
? The report must be based on an organisation you know well or have researched.
? The report must include well-chosen examples which illustrate the influence of organisational context on leadership practice.
? The report should include subheadings.
? Your report must be underpinned with relevant theoretical concepts.
? Please refer to the indicative content for the assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification.
» THE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS FOR STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
Strategic leaders must be able to utilise behaviours and skills to achieve objectives in a well-considered way. The aim of this task is for leaders to evidence their understanding of the leadership behaviours and skills required to deliver strategic goals. Leaders will also be given the opportunity to reflect on how the principles of strategic leadership can be applied to respond to complex organisational challenges.
» TASK 2A
With reference to well-chosen examples and the use of theory, you are required to write an account entitled:
‘The leadership behaviours and skills required to deliver strategic goals.’
The written account must critically appraise the leadership behaviours and skills required to deliver strategic goals (AC2.1).
Guidance for completion of Task 2a
? The written account must include reference to theoretical concepts and well-chosen examples.
? The completed assessment must include subheadings.
? You are not required to include every behaviour and skill. You should focus on those you feel are essential to the role.
? In preparation to complete the written account, take time to reflect on the skills and behaviours that are the hallmark of an effective leader. Consider your own leadership experience or the experience of being led by others. Undertake independent research on the skills and behaviours required for leaders operating at this level within different occupational areas or types of organisation.
? Refer to the indicative content for each assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification.
» TASK 2B
You are required to write a reflective account entitled:
‘How the principles of strategic leadership can be applied to respond to complex organisational challenges.’ The reflective account must:
? Outline TWO (2) different complex organisational challenges (selected from the table below or from your own experience).
? Critically reflect on the how the principles of strategic leadership can be applied to respond to each complex organisational challenge. (AC2.2)
Examples of complex organisational challenges related to the internal and external environment:
? Organisational change
? Threat of new competitor
? Diminishing resources
? Changes in customer requirements (changing customer demands and trends)
? Technological change
? Global markets
? Performance targets
? Shifting population
? Loss or gain of a major client
? Legal and regulatory change
? Political change
? Litigation
? Toxic cultures (e.g. bullying, sexism, me first attitudes, hostility, infighting)
? Impact of social change (e.g. #MeToo movement/campaign, mental health and wellbeing campaigns, LGBTQ+)
Guidance for completion of Task 2b
? The reflective account must include reference to theoretical concepts and well-chosen examples.
? The completed assessment must include subheadings.
? Give consideration to the complex organisational challenges selected to ensure these will facilitate the use of different leadership approaches.
? The challenges may be based on hypothetical or actual challenges within an organisation you know well or have researched.
? Consider how to present the reflective account - this may be presented as an extract from a reflective journal or written as a narrative or report.
? Refer to the indicative content for each of the assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification.


» ASSESSMENT GUIDANCE
Refer Pass
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? The submission is incomplete
Tasks are incomplete
Not all assessment criteria have been met
No examples are used or the examples given do not match the requirements of the assessment criteria Evidence is
Unclear
Technically incorrect or inaccurate
Biased
Unprofessional language
Poorly structured and presented
Ideas are under-developed
Lacks sufficient detail to show understanding of the topic
The application of different perspectives, approaches or schools of thought is unclear or inappropriate
Little or no evaluation of evidence has taken place
The ability to make judgments and solve complex problems has not been evidenced
Evidence is not directly attributable to the learner
External sources of information are not acknowledged
Work based evidence or artefacts (e.g. planning documents or presentation slides) do not meet the requirements of the assessment criteria and
are not current (within 5 years) ?
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? All tasks have been completed
All assessment criteria have been met Examples given are well chosen and match the requirements of the assessment criteria Evidence is
Well written and presented
Contains a breadth of examples
Accurate
Current (e.g. use of up to date legislation)
Authentic
Inclusive
Coherent
Credible
Technically correct
Evidence shows understanding and application of different perspectives, approaches or schools of thought and the reasoning behind them.
Evidence shows the learners ability to evaluate evidence and solve problems to achieve set outcomes.
Evidence used from external sources has been correctly referenced
Evidence is directly attributable to the learner
Work based evidence or artefacts (e.g. planning documents or presentation slides) match the requirements of the assessment criteria and are current (within 5 years)