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OTHM L5 Extended Diploma in Business Management Spec Assignments 02 2022-2
OTHM L5 Extended Diploma in Business Management Spec Assignments 02 2022-2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Any further unit-specific assessment criteria, such as number of words, should be clearly stated in each individual assignment brief.
No counterarguments or
alternative frames of
reference are generated
or considered.
Qualification Structure
The OTHM Level 5 Extended Diploma in Business Management qualification consists of 12
mandatory units, 240 credits, 2400 hours Total Qualification Time (TQT) and the
recommended Guided Learning Hours (GLH) for this qualification is a minimum of 1200 hours.
To achieve the OTHM Level 5 Extended Diploma in Business Management, learners must
achieve 240 credits, of which 120 credits are at Level 4 (6 units) and 120 credits are at Level
5 (6 units).
Before commencing an assessment, the Assessor should take care to ensure each learner
understands:
It is important that centres develop an effective delivery method to teaching and learning that
supports the progression and stretch of learners through the level 4 and 5 units of the OTHM
Level 5 Extended Diploma qualifications.
Assessors are expected to assess evidence submitted by learners to determine that the work
is suitable in meeting the assessment criteria and provide learners with appropriate feedback.
Centre assessors mark the assignments against the predefined learning outcomes and
assessment criteria in the specification.
To achieve this unit, learners must achieve the learning outcomes and meet the standards
specified by all assessment criteria for the unit.
For the units Finance and Accounting and Management Accounting and Decision
Making, learners will need to be supplied with a range of financial statements / accounts
for a business. These can be downloaded by the tutor from the Internet.
It is necessary to track and record learner achievement throughout the delivery period of the
OTHM Extended Level 5 Diploma and this should not be left until the end of the course.
This will include regular review of learner work through formative and summative assessment
and internal quality assurance at planned intervals during the programme:
• before decisions have been made on any unit
• sampling evidence once one or two of the units or assignments are completed
Tracking learner progress, recording the achievement of each learner per criteria on a unit-
by-unit basis ensures:
• the assessment evidence is clearly measured against national standards
• learner progress is accurately tracked
• the assessment process can be reliably verified
• evidence is valid, authentic and reliable for the safety of certification
• identification of which assessments are outstanding
• internal verification is timely
• samples for standards verification and other external audits can be made available as
required
• up to date, securely stored assessment records help to minimise the risk of
assessment malpractice and potential issues; maintaining the integrity of the
qualification.
Tutors/Assessors should provide learners with formative and summative feedback to aid
development during their studies.
used during the learning process used at the end of the learning process
evaluates achievement against learning
provides feedback on learning-in-process
outcomes and assessment criteria
dialogue-based, ungraded graded Pass / Refer
Assessor Authentication
Every member of staff involved in the internal verification of controlled assessment must
ensure that each piece of assessed work can be authenticated with confidence as being the
work of the learner who submits it. The assessor and IQA must sign a declaration after the
work has been completed confirming that the work was completed under the required
conditions.
● The tasks will cover all learning outcomes and assessment criteria within the unit. The
tasks are necessary to map and claim knowledge and competence.
● You are expected to include citations and references in your academic work and you
should follow the Harvard referencing style.
● The Indicative Content in the specification is not prescriptive or exhaustive but is intended
to provide helpful guidance to teachers and learners, with the key areas that will be
covered within the unit and relating to the kinds of evidence that should be provided for
each assessment objective specific to the unit learning outcomes
● Learners are expected to adhere to the word count, provided as a range within the question
text. A 10% leeway either side of this range is permitted before the assessor is instructed
to stop reading any further.
● There is no formal time limit for the completion of the tasks, besides that of the validity of
assessment materials.
● As well as the content your tutor/assessor will be scrutinising the following aspects:
● Learners who fail to achieve the required Pass mark are permitted to re-sit after having
sufficient teaching and additional study time.
Unit Aims
Engaging in academic research and writing will help students to interpret and evaluate sources
of information and evidence before becoming involved engaging in the production of evidence
based, logical, arguments. The aim of this unit is, therefore, to support the exploration of key
topics which form part of the academic research and writing process so that students will be
able to achieve greater success and recognition in their studies.
Scenario
The tasks for this unit have been designed to establish your understanding of academic
research and writing through an exploration of key concepts and terminology. As a result,
the evidence produced by successfully completing the tasks will provide your tutor with an
indication that you have the required academic skills to succeed on your learning journey
and beyond.
Task 1 of 4
Unit Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria
LO1 1. Understand the concept and purpose of academic
1.1, 1.2,1.3
research and writing.
Assignment Brief and Guidance
To demonstrate you understand the fundamental academic principles which will support you
through your studies, you are to conduct an investigation into the topic of academic research
and writing.
Task 2 of 4
Unit Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria
LO 3 Know how to conduct academic research. 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
Critical thinking as a concept and as a process, the different critical thinking skills required
to be an effective academic researcher and writer, the importance of critical thinking in
academia and in other contexts and how to apply techniques to evaluate an academic
argument.
Task 3 of 4
Unit Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria
LO 2 Know how to conduct academic research. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3
Using your knowledge of critical thinking, you are to critique a research paper given to you
by your tutor.
You are also required to identify and use other evidence which will support, or not, the;
• use of the sources of information by the author (or authors).
• reliability and validity of the research process used during the production of the
paper.
• quality of the primary and secondary research introduced in the research paper.
Task 4 of 4
Unit Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria
LO 4 Understand how to construct a reliable and valid academic
4.1, 4.2, 4.3
argument.
Assignment Brief and Guidance
You are required to prepare a presentation about an academic argument in which you
investigate a topic of your choosing. Learners should think about specific interests or topics
which could support their further study or intended career path.
You are to use this topic to develop an argument structure based on inductive reasoning,
deductive reasoning, or both.
Your choice of structure and reasoning approach must be justified and supported by
appropriate citations.
You are to indicate the key components of your argument and why you consider it to be
reliable and valid.
Unit Aims
Even though businesses are different in many ways, they do have some common features
and are influenced by similar factors. This unit’s aim is to provide learners with the
underpinning knowledge to contextualise and examine the fundamental factors which
influence how a business operates within the context of its internal and external environment.
Task 1 of 3
Unit Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria
LO 1 Know about different types of businesses. 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 1.4
Using an organisation you are familiar with, write an essay in which you:
• establish the business sector in which it operates having first considered the different
types of business sectors.
• establish the type of business and its legal structure having first considered the
different types and legal structures available to a business.
• consider how the business’ type and structure relates to the sector and markets in
which it operates.
Task 2 of 3
Unit Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria
LO 2 Understand the relationships between business functions. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4
Using the same organisation for Task 1, write an essay in which you:
• consider the different functions of the business.
• explain how these functions work together to achieve the business’ aims,
• produce an organisation structure of the business showing the relationships between
these functions,
• consider why the business is structured in this way based on the size and importance
of its different functions.
Task 3 of 3
Unit Learning Outcomes Assessment Criteria
LO 3 Be able to measure a business’s internal environment. 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
Using the same organisation you used for Task 1 and Task 2, write an essay in which you:
• consider the concepts of a business’ internal and external environments.
• consider importance of measuring a business’ internal and external environment.
• use appropriate techniques to analyse the business’ internal and external
environment.
Once the environmental analysis has taken place you are to consider the impact of these
environments on the ability of the business to conduct its operations and achieve its goals.
Unit Aims
The effectiveness of a business’s approach to communication can often be critical to the
achievement of strategic and operational objectives. The ways in which a business connects
with its internal and external stakeholders, and overcomes different barriers to communication,
will determine its short and long-term success. The aim of this unit is, therefore, to provide
learners with the fundamental knowledge and skills to engage in meaningful and appropriate
communication irrespective of the context in which the communication is located.
Task 1 of 3
Unit Learning Outcomes Assessment Criteria
LO 1 Understand the concept and purpose of communication in
1.1, 1.2, 1.3
a business context.
LO 2 Be able to effectively communicate in a business context. 2.1
Using an organisation you are familiar with, write an essay in which you,
• explain what is meant by the term ‘business communication.’
• compare different stages of a communication model.
• discuss why effective communication is important to a business.
• explain different elements of communication.
Task 2 of 3
Unit Learning Outcomes Assessment Criteria
LO 3 Understand how a business communicates internally. 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
Using an organisation you are familiar with, write an essay in which you;
• consider the differences between internal and external communication.
• consider ways in which the business communicates internally and externally.
• use an appropriate technique to analyse the business’ internal and external
stakeholders with a focus on stakeholder communication.
Once the stakeholder analysis has taken place you are to consider the potential barriers to
effective communication which the business may face and how these barriers could be
overcome to ensure stakeholder communication is efficient and effective.
Task 3 of 3
Unit Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria
LO 2 Be able to effectively communicate in a business context. 2.2, 2.3
Unit Aims
Having and effective finance and accounting function will not only help secure the financial
strength of a business but will also support managers to develop and implement a business
strategy. The aim of this unit is, therefore, to develop, in learners, the theoretical and applied
knowledge to prepare, interpret and adjust financial statements alongside the preparation of
budgets.
Task 1 of 3
Unit Learning Outcomes Assessment Criteria
LO 1 Know about the context and purpose of finance and
1.1, 1.2, 1.3
accounting
LO 2 Be able to prepare financial statements for different types of
2.1
businesses.
LO 4 Be able to prepare a budget. 4.1
Task 2 of 3
Unit Learning Outcomes Assessment Criteria
LO 2 Be able to prepare financial statements for different types of
2.2, 2.3, 2.4
businesses.
LO 3 Be able to interpret financial statements. 3.1, 3.2
Learners will need to be supplied with a range of financial statements / accounts. These can
be downloaded by the tutor from the Internet. This will allow the learner the opportunity to
analyse and evaluate the required formats, concepts and legal requirements.
The set of financial statements / accounts supplied to the learners should be one for a sole
trader and one for a partnership.
Part A:
Using the financial information your tutor has provided, you are required to:
• prepare financial statements for a sole trader
• prepare financial statements for a partnership
• apply techniques to make adjustments to the financial statements for either the sole
trader or partnership accounts
Part B:
Using the adjusted financial statements you chose from Part A; you are required to;
• calculate a range of financial ratios which will demonstrate the business’s current
financial performance, and then
• produce a summary of how the financial performance of the business has changed
over the previous three years.
Task 3 of 3
Unit Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria
LO 4 Be able to prepare a budget. 4.2
Learners will need to be supplied with the range of company accounts used in Task 2.
Now that you have completed the financial ratios and been able to summarise the financial
performance of the business Task 2, your final task is to produce a set of budgets for the
same company.
Unit Aims
Having hard management and soft leadership skills is often stated by employers as being key
to the success of a business but few people have sufficient quantities of both to make a
significant impact on business operations and strategy. The aim of this unit, therefore, is to
support a learner’s understanding of leadership as a role and management as a function so
that they are able to develop the knowledge, skills and traits to make a meaningful contribution
to a business’s success.
Task 1 of 4
Unit Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria
LO 1 Know about leadership and management. 1.1, 1.2, 1.3
One day you hope to be in a role where you are both a leader and a manager of people. You
understand that to be an effective leader and manager it is important to develop sufficient and
appropriate leadership and management skills.
Write an essay in which you consider the following.
• the differences between hard management and soft leadership skills.
• four key leadership theories-giving examples of how they apply in different
situations.
• four key management theories-giving examples of how they apply in different
situations.
Task 2 of 4
Unit Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria
LO 2 Know how teams are developed. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3
Prepare a presentation that explores different team development models, demonstrating your
knowledge about the concepts of team development and high performance teams.
Task 3 of 4
Unit Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria
LO 3 Understand how to improve individual and team performance. 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
Using an organisation you are familiar with, write a report about how to improve individual
and team performance.
Having considered this key aspect of leadership and management, you are to use three
different motivation theories to demonstrate how the business could improve the performance
of its workforce as individuals and as teams.
Task 4 of 4
Unit Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria
LO 4 Be able to determine own capacity to be an effective leader
4.1, 4.2
and manager.
Assignment Brief and Guidance
This tasks focuses on you and your ability to be an effective leader and/or manager.
Prepare a personal reflective log in which you determine your own capacity to be an effective
leader and manager.
Unit Aims
From a business perspective, the world is becoming a smaller place. Businesses need to be
open to new ideas, new opportunities and a new way of operating. This means businesses
need to expand and transform in what is a fast paced and dynamic environment. The aim of
this unit is to encourage the exploration of key globalisation theories, concepts and models
which will enable learners to gain an appreciation of the complexities of globalisation as well
as the benefits globalisation presents to a business.
The Managing Director (MD) has explained to you that the business is now in a position to
expand into the international market. The MD is aware of globalisation but to improve the
MD’s understanding of this issue you have been tasked you with conducting some research
into globalisation and how this relates to the MD’s plans.
Task 1 of 3
Unit Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria
LO 1 Understand the context of globalisation 1.1, 1.2
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Task 2 of 3
Unit Learning Outcomes Assessment Criteria
LO 1 Understand the context of globalisation 1.3
LO 2 Understand the factors which drive globalisation. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Task 3 of 3
Unit Learning Outcomes Assessment Criteria
LO 3 Understand how and why a business would want to operate
3.1, 3.2, 3.3
in global markets.
LO 4 Understand how operating in a global market impacts a
4.1, 4.2, 4.3
business.
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Unit Aims
Simply put, strategy is about putting a business in the best place possible to gain competitive
advantage in its target market. However, to achieve competitive advantage requires research,
analysis, interpretation and strategic decision making. The aim of this unit is to develop
learner’s knowledge and skills, so they are in a strong position to contribute to an organisation’s
strategy development and implementation.
You have been directed by your mentor to work on a project where you will conduct some
research on the topic of business strategy and which will ultimately result in recommending
a strategic option which the business could implement.
To support you with this project your mentor has set you a series of tasks as follows.
Task 1 of 3
Unit Learning Outcomes Assessment Criteria
LO 1 Understand the principles of business strategy. 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4
LO 2 Understand key business strategy theories and concepts. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3
LO 4 Understand a business’s strategic options. 4.1
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Task 2 of 3
Unit Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria
LO 3 Be able to measure a business’s micro and macro
3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
environment.
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Using an organisation you are familiar with; explain and use relevant techniques to measure
the business’s micro and macro environment.
You are to present these explanations in a memo to your mentor and use a poster
presentation to provide examples of how you have used the techniques.
Task 3 of 3
Unit Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria
LO 4 Understand a business’s strategic options. 4.2, 4.3
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Your mentor has arranged for you to deliver a presentation to the Board of Directors at their
next monthly meeting.
Using the same organisation you used for Task 2, prepare a presentation that:
• considers the different strategic options which are available to the business
• makes a justified recommendation to the Board regarding a strategic option which
the business could select.
References should be added to the text and placed at the end in a references list, using
Harvard Referencing style.
You should complete a bibliography to support all evidence.
Unit Aims
The ability to attract, develop and retain talented employees is a key factor in a business’s
success. Human resource management has its focus on supporting and enhancing business
success and performance through its strategic vision and operational functions. The aim of this
unit is to introduce learners to the key human resource management principles and concepts
so they can support a sustainable approach to people management through an understanding
of the purpose and scope of the human resource management function.
Task 1 of 3
Unit Learning Outcomes Assessment Criteria
LO 1 Know about the purpose and objectives of human resource
1.1, 1.2, 1.3
management.
LO 2 Understand the functions of human resource management 2.1
Assignment Brief and Guidance
To demonstrate you have sufficient fundamental knowledge to be able to work in the human
resource department, your mentor requires you to produce an essay which considers the
following.
• the evolution and purpose of human resource management.
• the objectives of human resource management.
• the key operational functions of human resource management
Task 2 of 3
Unit Learning Outcomes Assessment Criteria
LO 2 Understand the functions of human resource management. 2.2, 2.3
LO 3 Know how internal and external factors impact the human
3.1, 3.2,
resource management function.
LO 4 Understand how a business uses its human resource
4.1
management function.
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Your mentor has asked you to review the functions of the human resources department and
the factors that may impact the department.
Task 3 of 3
Unit Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria
LO 4 Understand how a business uses its human resource
4.2
management function.
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Now that you have successfully completed the first two tasks, your mentor requires you to
use the knowledge you have gained during your time working in the human resource
department to make justified suggestions for how the business could improve the
effectiveness of its human resource management function.
Your mentor has arranged for you to deliver a presentation to the Board of Directors at their
next monthly meeting.
You are required to prepare a presentation in which you consider ways in which a business
could improve the effectiveness of its human resource management function.
Unit Aims
The aim of this unit is to provide learners with a detailed understanding of the marketing
planning process and to apply these principles to a variety of business contexts. The unit also
provides a comprehensive understanding of environmental analysis and how this can lead to
the development of appropriate objectives and strategies to enhance operational marketing
performance.
Task 1 of 3
Unit Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria
LO 1 Understand the context and concept of marketing. 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4
LO 2 Understand the functions of marketing. 2.1
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Task 2 of 3
Unit Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria
LO 2 Understand the functions of marketing. 2.2, 2.3
LO 3 Know how internal and external factors impact the marketing
3.1, 3.2
function.
LO 4 Understand how a business uses its marketing function. 4.1
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Your mentor has asked you to review the functions of the marketing department and the
factors that may impact the department.
Task 3 of 3
Unit Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria
LO 4 Understand how a business uses its marketing function. 4.2
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Now that you have successfully completed the first two tasks, your mentor requires you to
use the knowledge you have gained during your time working in the marketing department
to make justified suggestions for how the business could improve the effectiveness of its
marketing function.
Your mentor has arranged for you to deliver a presentation to the Board of Directors at their
next monthly meeting.
You are required to prepare a presentation in which you consider ways in which a business
could improve the effectiveness of its marketing function.
Unit Aims
All businesses and those employed by it must operate within the laws, legislation and
regulations of the countries in which it conducts its activities.
Some law only applies to specific types of business and their legal structure whereas other
laws apply to any business irrespective of their operations and location. The aim of this unit is,
therefore, to support a learner’s exploration of laws, legislation and regulations which apply in
their home country and to different types of business.
Your college has arranged for students to attend some training sessions where local
entrepreneurs and professionals will hold workshops on starting a business.
You are going to attend the law training sessions to learn more about:
• generic business law of your country.
• legal and justice systems in your country.
• key business related laws which you must be aware of.
• how laws will impact a business.
There are four workshops which will address each area separately.
Task 1 of 4
Unit Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria
LO 1 Know about generic business law. 1.1, 1.2, 1.3
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Task 2 of 4
Unit Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria
LO 2 Know about legal and justice systems in context. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Now that you have some fundamental information about business law, you are going to learn
more about the legal and justice system in your country.
Task 3 of 4
The course tutor has asked you to present information on key business related laws.
Task 4 of 4
Unit Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria
LO 4 Know how laws impact on businesses. 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4
Assignment Brief and Guidance
The fourth training session will concentrate on raising your awareness of how laws could
impact a business.
Unit Aims
Management accounting provides business managers with financial information required to
achieve business objectives. This requires effective decision making based on the timeliness
and accuracy of financial information. The aim of this unit is to provide learners with an
awareness of the scope and purpose of management accounting, so they are able to support
effective decision making within a business.
Task 1 of 2
Unit Learning Outcomes Assessment Criteria
LO 1 Know about management accounting and decision making. 1.1, 1.2, 1.3
LO 2 Know about technical procedures used in management
2.1, 2.2
accounting.
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Task 2 of 2
Unit Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria
LO 3 Be able to use management accounting to solve problems
3.1, 3.2
and inform decision-making.
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Learners will need to be supplied with a range of financial statements / accounts for a
business. These can be downloaded by the tutor from the Internet.
Using the financial information your tutor has provided, you are required to:
• apply appropriate management accounting techniques to suggest solutions to one
or more problems the business has
• suggest how the information could be used to inform business decision making.
Unit Aims
Many people dream of setting up their own business but are not aware of what is required,
what support is available and what personal qualities are required. The aim of this unit,
therefore, is to consolidate previous learning where learners employ the knowledge and skills
of disciplines such as marketing and management to produce a viable business plan.
After being inspired by what you have learnt during your studies, you have decided to start
your own business.
You have conducted some research and have decided to approach your local business
community help support group to get some advice. They have offered you, free of charge,
the support of a business start-up consultant who will act as your **mentor.
Your mentor has broken down what you need to know and do as follows:
• the fundamental requirements for starting a new business.
• sources of support available to new businesses.
• creating a business plan and be able to gain support from stakeholders
Task 1 of 3
Unit Learning Outcomes Assessment Criteria
LO 1 Know the fundamental requirements for starting a new
1.1, 1.2, 1.3
business.
LO 2 Know sources of support available to new businesses. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4
Assignment Brief and Guidance
You need to demonstrate you have sufficient fundamental knowledge to be able to set up
your own business.
Your mentor has asked you to produce an essay which considers the following:
• the range of resources required to start your business.
• the personal skills and qualities you need to start your business.
• the legal requirements of your country related to starting a business.
• sources of financial support available to you.
• support provided by local, regional and national governments of your country.
• support provided by non-government organisations.
• sources of non-financial support.
Task 2 of 3
Unit Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria
LO 3 Be able to create a business plan for a new business to gain
3.1
stakeholder support.
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Now that you have the fundamental knowledge required to set up your own business, it is
time to create your business plan.
You must first define a clear business idea with your mentor so that it can be agreed that it
is feasible. It is recommended that you choose a business venture that seems practical and
worth further development.
A formal business plan is a critical step in developing a successful business. There are a
variety of web sites giving advice on preparing a business plan and these can be accessed
through any typical search engine.
Your business plan should serve three main purposes: to communicate, manage and plan
the venture.
Task 3 of 3
Unit Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria
LO 3 Know the fundamental requirements for staring a new
3.2
business.
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Once you have determined that the objective of your business plan can be achieved, you
need to prepare a presentation to gain support from stakeholders.
To help ensure your presentation is as effective as possible, your mentor wants you to
rehearse your delivery before presenting to the different stakeholders.
You will deliver your presentation to your mentor who will act as a critical friend and provide
constructive feedback.
There are a variety of web sites giving advice on how to present and pitch a business plan
and these can be accessed through any typical search engine.