Advanced Professional Management Studies

Partners in Business

Qualifications titles:

• Advanced Professional Award in Management Studies
(90 hours)
• Advanced Professional Certificate in Management Studies
(180 hours)
• Advanced Professional Diploma in Management Studies
(270 hours)

Units in the Qualification:

#
#	Unit Name	Duration	Level	Core/Optional	Details
1	Advanced Professional Development	30	7	Core	more info. Advanced Professional Development: >Description of unit This unit is designed to enable learners to take responsibility for their learning and development needs to meet personal, professional and organizational goals and objectives. This will be achieved through analyzing current skills and preparing and implementing personal development plans. This unit highlights the importance of seeking feedback from others to improve performance continuously reviewing learning needs as these skills will equip the learner for future demanding responsibilities and career progression. Evidence provided to achieve this unit will be continuous throughout the qualification, thereby enabling learners to take ownership of their future development needs. Learners will be able to demonstrate they have a regularly updated and realistic personal development plan which fits with their preferred learning style. This unit will also enable learners to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of their learning on their chosen career path. >Unit Learning Outcomes: To achieve this unit the learner must: 1. Explore methods to improve personal and professional skills to meet organizational and own goals and objectives. 2. Carry out a personal skills audit which identifies preferred learning style. 3. Prepare and implement a personal development plan.
2	Managing Change in Organizations	30	7	Certificate and Diploma only	more info. Managing Change in Organizations: >Description of unit Alvin Toffler’s famous comment ‘There is only one constant today and that is change’ was made some decades ago, but now change itself is changing at a fast rate. With such change comes uncertainty and insecurity. No longer can organizations, even in the public sector, where ‘steady state’ was ever the watchword, sit back. All are being increasingly challenged by change. As a result, organizations can either progress or perish. This unit will look at the reasons for change and alternative models for its management. It will not look at change at local operational level. Rather it will focus on the need to implement processes and systems for ongoing, continuous structural and cultural change in organizations, through such methods as organizational development, business process re-engineering and the learning organization model. In effect, it will ask learners to look to developing organizational models that challenge the bureaucracy of the past age. Therefore, this unit will help learners come to realize that the ongoing management of change is really today the crucial role of any manager and requires a more open and participate approach. This, in turn, requires more than the traditional hierarchical skills of the old bureaucratic or mechanistic models of organizations. >Unit Learning Outcomes: To achieve this unit the learner must: 1. Explore the background to change affecting the current organization. 2. Develop systems for understanding and involving others in the process of change. 3. Plan to implement models for ensuring ongoing change.
3	Management Research – Project and presentation	30	7	Diploma only	more info. Management Research – Project and Presentation >Description of unit As the rate of change escalates, it is important for organizations to not just hold their place in the market but to plan to move ahead. This unit recognizes the importance for managers to have project management skills and expertise to enable this to happen. In effect, this unit requires managers to plan the implementation of a new product, service or process. Learners need to take a full and active role in all aspects of the development of the project and the selection of an appropriate management issue is crucial to success. The learners cover a full range of management activities and roles including resource and people management and implementation of change. The result needs to be a substantial report of a style appropriate for the consideration of senior management. (For Learners inexperienced with research, they may be advisable to take the unit “Managing Research Methods” first.) >Unit Learning Outcomes: To achieve this unit the learner must: 1. Identify the development of a new product, service or process in terms of overall profitability. 2. Calculate, agree and plan for the necessary resources required for the project. 3. Plan and agree the implementation of the product, service or process and the measures for monitoring and evaluating success.
4	Strategic Planning and Implementation	30	7	Optional	more info. Strategic Planning and Implementation >Description of unit This unit together with Unit 9: “Strategic Review”, recognizes the importance of effective forecasting and planning in the current global economy. Organizations need to be proactive, with their direction determined by logical analysis. It is not always possible to calculate accurately future events but without any sense of progression it is easy to lose competitiveness, market position and customer loyalty. Learners are required to plan and develop the implementation of a management strategy for an organization they know well. Learners will need to interact with senior management and stakeholders as the emphasis is on a participative approach. Strategy is split between this unit and Unit 9: “Strategic Review” in recognition of the amount of work required for successful strategic planning. Learners can take either unit without the other, but may find it more appropriate to start with this unit before tackling Unit 9. >Unit Learning Outcomes: To achieve this unit the learner must: 1. Construct a management strategy. 2. Develop vision, mission, objectives and measures. 3. Plan for the implementation of the strategy.
5	Managing financial principles and Techniques	30	7	Optional	more info. Managing Financial Principles and Techniques >Description of unit This unit is the first of two that provide learners with a foundation in financial principles and techniques relevant to the strategic management process. In this unit, the focus is on the management of costs through the use of forecasting, appraisal and financial reporting procedures. The main objective is to provide learners with the tools and confidence to apply, analyze, and evaluate financial information. This will enhance their decision-making skills through the use and validation of forecasting techniques, and the consideration of financial statements. To complete this unit effectively learners will need to show an ability to judge the sources, nature, accuracy and completeness of cost-based information. They will also need to apply strategies associated with determining sound management information with reference to the sources of funds, the potential investment of resources, and the interpretation of financial statements. >Unit Learning Outcomes: To achieve this unit the learner must: 1. Apply relevant forecasting techniques to obtain information for decision making. 2. Examine and apply the financial appraisal techniques used to evaluate potential investment decisions. 3. Interpret financial statements for planning and decision making.
6	Human Resources Planning and Development	30	7	Optional	more info. Human Resources Planning and Development >Description of unit This unit will enable learners to focus on the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary for the planning and development of an organization’s human resources (HR). Learners will research the role of the HR function, analyze HR planning and development methods and how they contribute to organizational objectives and requirements, and analyze performance enhancements. >Unit Learning Outcomes: To achieve this unit the learner must: 1. Investigate how Human Resources Management (HRM) contributes to the achievement of organizational objectives. 2. Examine HR planning and development methods. 3. Analyze ways in which performance of HR may be enhanced.
7	Leadership of your organization	30	7	Optional	more info. Leadership of your Organization >Description of unit This unit gives learners an insight into current thinking on leadership from the perspective of the organization. In a rapidly changing working environment the emphasis is on the studies of the last ten years rather than traditional leadership models. Learners will consider the range of competences and styles of successful leaders, the importance of the context in which leadership exists and how organizations can plan to meet their current and future requirements for leadership. Although the unit takes the perspective of the organization, it provides insights that can contribute to the learners’ development of their own leadership skills. The unit also offers the opportunity to develop analytical and long-term planning skills. >Unit Learning Outcomes: To achieve this unit the learner must: 1. Examine a range of current theories and models of leadership and their applicability to different sub-divisions, organizations, industries and sectors. 2. Investigate the current and future requirements of leadership within a sub-division, organization, industry or sector. 3. Make proposals for the development of leadership competences to meet current and predicted future requirements within a sub-division, organization, industry or sector.
8	Management Research Methods	30	7	Optional	more info. Management Research Methods >Description of unit This unit is designed to introduce learners to the techniques and methods required when carrying out formal research. The unit addresses a variety of research methodologies and offers the opportunity to carry out interventionist or action research. Learners will be required to produce a project proposal based on independent research into an area of professional business practice that interests them and will add to their professional development. Where, appropriate learners can link the outcomes of this unit with those from units that deal with project implementation. The study should use both primary and secondary sources of information, and should focus on an issue appropriate to the learners’ program of study. The study undertaken should build on the knowledge, skills and understanding achieved in other units. Tutor approval should be sought before commencing study and the final learner-produced report should be produced to a given format. >Unit Learning Outcomes: To achieve this unit the learner must: 1. Identify a research proposal. 2. Carry out the research into a specified area of management. 3. Present and evaluate the findings with regard to the initial proposal.
9	Strategic Review	30	7	Optional	more info. Strategic Review >Description of unit This unit together with Unit 4: “Strategic Planning and Implementation” helps learners to recognize the importance of effective forecasting and planning in the current global economy. Organizations need to be proactive with their direction determined by logical analysis. It is not always possible to calculate future events but without any sense of progression it is easy to lose competitiveness, market position and customer loyalty. For this unit, learners will be required to undertake a strategic review and calculate where an organization is now in relation to other organizations in its market. Learners will also look at what factors need to be taken into account in order to suggest fairly clearly the possible ways to progress. Strategic management is divided between Unit 4: “Strategic Planning and Implementation” and Unit 9: “Strategic Review”. This recognizes the amount of work that is required for successful strategic planning. Learners can take either unit without the other but may find it more fulfilling to start with Unit 4 before tackling this unit. >Unit Learning Outcomes: To achieve this unit the learner must: 1. Examine existing short- and long-term environmental factors affecting an organization or sector. 2. Review the effectiveness of existing business strategies, policies and plans. 3. Develop and consider options for strategic planning.
10	The Creative Manager	30	7	Optional	more info. The Creative Manager >Description of unit This unit is concerned with creativity and innovation. Innovative people generally challenge the status quo and seek a variety of options, displaying a curiosity to learn and try out new things and generating and recognizing imaginative solutions. Innovators take calculated and managed risks, having learnt from experience and reflected on experiences, using them to inform future actions. They set demanding but achievable objectives and respond positively and creatively to setbacks. Importantly, they anticipate likely scenarios based upon realistic analysis of trends and developments and they seek out and act on new opportunities. Innovators are imaginative and are creative. The unit seeks to provide learners with the knowledge and skills to be effective innovators. >Unit Learning Outcomes: To achieve this unit the learner must: 1. Challenge current ways of working and current services and products. 2. Generate and recognize creative and innovative solutions. 3. Articulate cases for innovation and persuade and influence others. 4. Overcome obstacles and barriers to innovation to ensure effective innovative change is achieved.
11	Strategic Marketing Management	30	7	Optional	more info. Strategic Marketing Management >Description of unit This unit introduces marketing strategy to learners who are not professional marketeers but would like to understand how to support the strategic marketing process. This unit introduces learners to the principles of marketing strategies. It develops learners’ knowledge and understanding of the formulation of a marketing plan, allows them to investigate the current marketing environment and helps them to consider how all managers in an organization can contribute towards the achievement of marketing objectives. Learners will learn about the theoretical concepts associated with a marketing strategy and the marketing planning process and its application to different market situations. The unit combines theory and practice. Learners will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of marketing strategy concepts, tools and techniques and then apply the knowledge to specific situations. >Unit Learning Outcomes: To achieve this unit the learner must: 1. Investigate the planning principles and range of tools and techniques involved in developing a marketing strategy. 2. Examine a range of marketing strategy options. 3. Explore the implications of changes in the marketing environment for organizations.
12	Developing a communication Strategy	30	7	Optional	more info. Developing a Communication Strategy >Description of unit Communication is crucial to organizational effectiveness as the basis for maintaining pace and of ensuring that change can happen at all levels of the organization. It is through the management of sound and co-ordinated systems of communication that an organization can integrate its various parts to ensure workforce harmonization to achieve awareness and performance. Organizations today need to plan their communication systems to ensure up-to-date information; knowledge and awareness are always available to all who need them. This unit gives learners an opportunity to look to the design of a communication system within one organization, eg. their own workplace, one to which they are seconded or through a case study. This is a developing area of interest and to an extent creates ‘the infrastructure’ that the organization needs to ensure all are aware, involved and committed. It is only through a planned system that organization flows can develop upwards, sideways and downwards to ensure that required information, knowledge and awareness reaches its intended audience within or outside the organizational structure itself. >Unit Learning Outcomes: To achieve this unit the learner must: 1. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses, of the current internal communication processes in an organization or organizations. 2. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses, of the current external communication processes in an organization or organizations. 3. Develop plans for the implementation, integration and evaluation of a strategy for effective communications.
13	Quality Systems Management	30	7	Optional	more info. Quality Systems Management >Description of unit This unit focuses on the effective and efficient strategic planning and control of operational systems to improve their effectiveness and efficiency. Learners will develop an understanding of the design and monitoring of systems and processes and how they can be monitored and improved. This unit enables learners to study the development and evolution of quality and quality models and how they relate to management. Learners will be able to focus on important quality aspects within their own organization and on improving organizational performance. As a result of studying this unit, learners will be able to contribute to business excellence within their own organization. >Unit Learning Outcomes: To achieve this unit the learner must: 1. Evaluate the strategic objectives of operations management within the organization. 2. Design and monitor appropriate systems to ensure quality of product and services. 3. Improve organizational performance.

Qualification Achievement requirements:

1.Advanced Professional Award in Management Studies:

This requires the candidate to take a total of 90 hours, divided into 3 units; each unit requires 30 hours of guided learning. In order to obtain this Award the candidate must complete the core unit and any 2 other units of his choice.

2. Advanced Professional Certificate in Management Studies:

This requires the candidate to take a total of 180 hours, divided into 6 units; each unit requires 30 hours of guided learning. In order to obtain this Award the candidate must complete the 2 core units and any 4 other units of his choice.

3. Advanced Professional Diploma in Management Studies:

This requires the candidate to take a total of 270 hours, divided into 9 units; each unit requires 30 hours of guided learning. In order to obtain this Award the candidate must complete the 3 core units and any 6 other units of his choice.

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