Work Based Project Proposal
| Module title | Work Based Project Proposal |
|---|---|
| Module code | HPDM144DA |
| Academic year | 2021/2 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Andrew Griffiths (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 38 |
|---|
Module description
Senior healthcare leaders are responsible for developing and implementing major strategy or institutional projects that will contribute towards organisational strategic and operational objectives. This capstone module promotes consolidation of learning across the PGDip Healthcare Leadership and Management (degree apprenticeship)programme and offers reflection on how the knowledge can be applied to the learner’s role and organisation. It consists of the design of an improvement project of strategic importance to the organisation.
A key aspect of this module will be the analysis of healthcare operations with the aim of promoting sustainable strategies through the efficient and effective management of resources. The module will provide you with the means to analyse fundamental healthcare operations activities with the focus on design/re-design solutions to overcome operational and strategic issues. It will promote an innovative approach to healthcare modelling and the underlying healthcare processes.
Through workshops and online sessions, the module transfers the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct a successful strategic management project; including project scoping, systems thinking and research design. With the benefit of academic direction, the applied part of this work-based module also aims to allow the student an opportunity to reflect upon the organisational impact of such a piece of strategic work. Leaders will work with their workplace mentor to evaluate the development of the project, assessing organisational impact and the personal development that been achieved.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The project will be based on improvement strategic business proposal submitted at the end of the second year and requires you to plan and negotiate a project task. You will apply a range of frameworks to structure analytical thinking, apply techniques to complete the required research, and demonstrate personal effectiveness. Identifying barriers and understanding the principles of effective project management will be introduced to ensure successful implementation.
The resulting strategic business proposal and presentation will include evidence obtained using a range of healthcare research methods to demonstrate that the learner has understood key learning across the programme. Agreement will be made between the learner, employer and the university of what systems, tools and platforms will be required (if any) to complete the task and how those will be made available.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Critically appraise new market strategies, changing customer demands and trend analysis.
- 2. Critically evaluate systems thinking, knowledge/data management, research methodologies and programme management.
- 3. Apply financial strategies, for example scenarios, modelling and identifying trends, application of economic theory to decision-making, and how to evaluate financial and non- financial information.
- 4. Apply financial governance and legal requirements, and procurement strategies.
- 5. Influencing and negotiating strategies both upwards and outwards.
- 6. Should show evidence of working with board and other company leadership structures
- 7. Critically appraise brand and reputation management.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Show evidence of working with corporate leadership structures, for example, the markets it operates in, roles and responsibilities, and knowing who its stakeholders are and what they require from the organisation and the sustainability agenda.
- 9. Set strategic direction and gain support for it from key stakeholders.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 10. Undertake research, and critically analyse and integrate complex information
- 11. Use personal presence and storytelling to articulate and translate vision into operational strategies, demonstrating clarity in thinking
- 12. Use financial data to allocate resources
- 13. Manage relationships across multiple and diverse stakeholders.
- 14. Lead within their area of control/authority, influencing both upwards and outwards, negotiating and using advocacy skills to build reputation and effective collaboration.
- 15. Show evidence of being curious and innovative - exploring areas of ambiguity and complexity and finding creative solutions.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:
The module will include workshops aimed at promoting key transferrable skills and will cover:
• Competencies for successful project management
• Understanding the needs; appreciative inquiry
• Understanding the organisation - stakeholders and the systems perspective.
• Project management issues: causes of success and failure.
• Negotiation and problem-solving.
• Professional report writing.
Work-based project
Through a live business project undertaken in the learner’s organisation, you will demonstrate your ability to:
• Identify and justify a strategic and/or operational investigative project
• Assess the impact of projects and project management on strategic objectives
• Understand the elements of the project process and plan
• Conduct research and synthesise data to produce options that support the project aims
• Understand how to implement the project plan and evaluate the outcome(s)
• Draw conclusions and make recommendations that achieve the project aim
• Develop and review the results of the investigative project
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | 90 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 21 | Faculty-led workshops and seminars |
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 4 | Online action learning set facilitated by module lead. |
| Guided independent study | 90 | Guided independent study through online learning activities. Reading, case studies, professional practise forums. |
| These 115 hours make up the Off-the-Job learning element mandated by the ESFA guidance. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Produce initial proposal scope and produce project timeline, identifying the intended project and associated methodology | One side of A4 500 words. | 1,2,4,6 | Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional improvement report detailing the project, its findings and any recommendations. | 60 | 4000 words | 1-15 | Written |
| Executive summary and presentation - Critical reflection upon own development of personal effectiveness and interpersonal skill. | 40 | 20 min voice over PowerPoint presentation | 1-15 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional improvement report detailing the project, its findings and any recommendations. (60%) (4000 words) | Professional improvement report | 1-15 | next scheduled assessment point |
| Executive summary and presentation - Critical reflection upon own development of personal effectiveness and interpersonal skill. (40%) 20 min voice over PowerPoint presentation | Executive summary and presentation | 1-15 | next scheduled assessment point |
Re-assessment notes
- All passed components of the module will be rolled forward and will not be reassessed in the event of module failure.
Please refer to the TQA section on Referral/Deferral: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/aph/consequenceoffailure/
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Edmondson, V. C. (2018) The Thinking Strategist: Unleashing the Power of Strategic Management to Identify, Explore and Solve Problems. Bingley, UK: Emerald Publishing Limited.
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
CMI - Management Direct - an online management resource portal. Management Direct allows managers at any level to learn, research and think. It offers fast, 24-hour access to the latest digital content to help overcome hundreds of managerial challenges from absence to performance to change: 5 minute, 20 minute and extended briefings; Creative tools for problem solving; Hundreds of checklists and interactive scenarios to aid self-directed learning; Self-Assessments and automatic CPD recording/reporting; Document templates and best practice guides.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/11/2019 |
| Last revision date | 9/9/2021 |
