DM3005-Work-Based Project: Organisational Change

Module Provider: Henley Business School
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Dr Stephen Simister

Email: stephen.simister@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module requires students to identify and design a change intervention in the workplace that can make a difference to the organisation.  Through a work-based project, students will draw on learning from the entire programme, to gain a better understanding of their organisation, its context and its ability to embrace change effectively with its context include that of complexity, ambiguity and uncertainty.  The project will require students to assess an element of organisational effectiveness that requires change and design an appropriate change intervention.  Students will apply qualitative and/or quantitative research and approaches to change management and evaluation.  It is expected that students will draw on relevant content from several modules to support the change intervention.

Aims:

In this module a systematic knowledge of management will be deployed to allow students to consider organisational change.  Throughout the programme, they have been exposed to the complexity, ambiguity and uncertainty that underpin many management situations.  Instead of looking at modules in silos, there is an opportunity for students to consider the interplay between various modules.

The module aims to prepare students to:

1. Identify current situations that could be improved by utilising material from the programme.


2. Plan an organisational change intervention.


3. Apply relevant quantitative and/or qualitative research techniques.


4. Identify and suggest ways to manage the impact of change on individuals.


5. Evaluate the effectiveness of change programmes.


6. Apply knowledge and awareness of how a change intervention moves through key stages of planning, design, development, deployment and evaluation.


7. Develop the skills that students need to undertake and evaluate the processes of planning, organisation and management of resources in order to manage organisational change.


8. Apply key change outcomes, develop and implement plans and monitor progress, and provide evaluation reports to measure the progress and impact of the change initiative.


9. Utilise project management tools to initiate, lead and drive planned change within the organisation, identifying barriers/challenges and how to overcome them.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module the student will be able:

1. To identify and justify a change management project that promotes effective change in the workplace.


2. To conduct research using relevant sources and analyse data and options.


3. To create a robust argument supporting conclusions.


4. To make conclusions and recommendations that achieve the project aim.


5. To show and review their engagement on the project and to reflect on their own and their organisation's practice.

Additional outcomes:

Students should demonstrate how they have:

1. Taken responsibility for each step of the project process.


2. Ensure full engagement with all relevant stakeholders in a professional and inclusive manner.


3. Demonstrated adaptability and agility to changing organisational needs.


4. Demonstrated sensitivity towards the impact of change on individuals.


5. Developed their credentials as effective leaders of organisational change.


6. Reflected on their impact on organisational change and the impact of change on them.

Outline content:

Students will identify an opportunity for a change intervention in the workplace, to propose the information they will need to gather and plan how this can be collected.   This will be agreed with the organisation.  They will also identify theory and models that will inform their analysis.  They will demonstrate their understanding of how to implement and evaluate the change against agreed benchmarks, to appraise the impact and effectiveness of the intervention on the organisation.  They will be required to report their findings.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module content is delivered through a combination of taught sessions, supported by key reading from texts and other sources, practical activities for each topic with group and cohort discussion. In addition, on-line support material will also be provided.  The student will be required to prepare a reflective commentary on their personal learning and implications for future practice.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	14
Project Supervision	36
Work-based learning	50
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	50
Carry-out research project	250
Total hours by term	400	0	0
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

There are no examinations for this module.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

An individual written project of 10,000 words.  To be submitted once module study is complete.

Formative assessment methods:

Will be embedded in the supervisory activities.  Formative feedback will be provided on a project proposal.

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

The assignment must achieve a minimum mark of 40% to achieve a pass.

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of the same assignment based on formative feedback.  One re-submission allowed, capped at 40%.  Resubmission period is in accordance with the arrangements laid out in the programme guide issued to each student.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 8 April 2019