CMI Unit 515 Creating and Delivering Operational Plans

»	KEY INFORMATION FOR LEARNERS

Each task in this assessment brief has been developed to enable you to evidence achievement of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria for Unit 515: Creating and Delivering Operational Plans.  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 515 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 Unit 515 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. Please note that if you have a customised site the link will differ, please contact your Centre for clarification.  
• If you are enrolled on the Trailblazer Apprenticeship programme you are encouraged to review the Apprenticeship Standard for Operations/Departmental Manager.

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 and not in a PDF format.
• 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 5 in Management and Leadership syllabus.

»	INTRODUCING ASSESSMENT BRIEF CMI Unit 515

Being equipped with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to create and deliver operational plans in a variety of organisational settings is essential if an individual and their organisation are to succeed.  

Assessment brief Unit 515 has been designed to enable learners to evidence their ability to translate organisational objectives into operational plans. Learners will evidence their understanding of the strategic direction of an organisation and how they can contribute to the strategic planning process. They will review the knowledge and skills needed to create and deliver operational plans, including the setting of key performance indicators, how to monitor quality and outcomes against plans and how to report effectively on findings.

»	ASSESSMENT TASKS AND WORD COUNT

Assessment brief CMI Unit 515 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	Write an account	LO1 Understand the principles of operational planning in an organisation	1.1 Assess the relationship between an organisation’s strategic objectives and operational planning	Approx. 900 words
			1.2 Evaluate the use of approaches to operational planning
2a	Create an operational plan for one work area covering a minimum period of three months	LO2 Know how to create an operational plan in line with organisational objectives	2.3 Create an operational plan in line with organisational objectives	Approx. 1200 words
2b	Write an account		2.1 Examine the impact of legal and organisational factors on an operational plan
			2.2 Assess the ethical requirements that influence an operational plan
3	Write an account	LO3 Know how to manage and lead the delivery of an operational plan	3.1 Assess methods of managing and leading the delivery of an operational plan	Approx. 900 words
			3.2 Examine techniques for problem solving and decision making
		LO4 Know how to monitor and measure the outcome of operational planning	4.1 Evaluate methods to monitor progress and measure the outcomes of operational plans

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 5. The amount and volume of work for this unit should be broadly comparable to a word count of 2500-3000 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 assignment and how this has impacted on the learner’s work. Please see the CMI Assessment Guidance Policy for further guidance.

»	PRINCIPLES OF OPERATIONAL PLANNING IN AN ORGANISATION

The ability to translate organisational objectives into operational plans is an essential management skill.  Managers need to have a thorough understanding of the direction of the organisation and how to contribute to the strategic planning process.

Assessment brief CMI 515 has been designed to enable learners to understand the knowledge and skills required to create and deliver operational plans.  This includes the need to understand the impact of legal and organisational factors and ethical requirements on operational planning along with setting key performance indicators, monitoring quality and outcomes against the plan and how to effectively report on findings.

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TASK 1

You are required to write an account of the principles of operational planning.  The account must:

i. Assess the relationship between an organisation’s strategic objectives and operational planning (AC1.1)

ii. Use examples to evaluate the use of approaches to operational planning (AC1.2)

Guidance for completion of Task 1

The account should include sub headings.  You may choose to include tables and diagrams (as appropriate). Your discussion should be underpinned with relevant theoretical principles. You may include good practice examples from an organisation you know well or have researched. Please refer to the indicative content for each assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification.

 

»	OPERATIONAL PLANNING IN LINE WITH ORGANISATIONAL OBJECTIVES

In order to create an operational plan, it is important that it achieves operational objectives, that the manager understands the impact of organisational and legal factors and ethical requirements on operational planning.

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SCENARIO

 

You are the manager of a busy department within a large organisation. Your team consists of full time and part time staff with different working patterns.  There are a wide range of customers who access services.  Your team is required to handle confidential and sensitive information.  There are three ways the team interacts with customers – digital, face to face and via the telephone. Three organisational objectives have been developed by the senior management team. These are to: reduce the number of complaints by 5% to increase the number of customers using the service implement new ways of working with customers

 

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TASK 2a

There are THREE (3) options for answering this task.  You only need to select ONE (1) option.

You are required to create an operational plan in line with organisational objectives (AC2.3).

Option 1: Present a copy of an operational plan you have already created for one area of work in line with organisational objectives. The operational plan must be for a minimum of a three month period, and either:

• Include the document(s) in the Work Based Evidence section of this assessment booklet, or
• Provide your documentation as separate document(s) outside of this assessment booklet.
  NB: Where separate documents are provided they must not exceed 10MB in size and must be saved as PDF documents.
  

Option 2: Use the CMI template to create an operational plan for a minimum of three months.  The operational plan must be based on one work area in an organisation you know or have researched.  The operational plan must be in line with organisational objectives.

Option 3: Create an operational plan based on the scenario above. The operational plan must be for a minimum of three months and it must be in line with organisational objectives. The operational plan should be completed using the CMI template. 

OPTION 1: WORK BASED EVIDENCE IF YOU CHOOSE THIS OPTION COPY AND PASTE THIS EVIDENCE TABLE INTO THE EVIDENCE BOOKLET. DO NOT PRESENT ANY EVIDENCE IN THE ASSIGNMENT BRIEF.

Description of work based evidence: Please briefly describe the type of work based evidence that is being presented to meet the requirements of this task.
Summary: Please provide a brief summary statement of how this work based evidence meets the requirements of this task.

 

Please indicate how you have presented evidence for this task (please tick box):		Document uploaded to Work Based Evidence section (page X) of this assessment booklet
		Documents are provided separately to this assessment booklet.  Document name(s):_______________________________________

OPTION 2: COMPLETE THE TEMPLATE IF YOU CHOOSE THIS OPTION COPY AND PASTE THIS EVIDENCE TABLE INTO THE EVIDENCE BOOKLET. DO NOT PRESENT ANY EVIDENCE IN THE ASSIGNMENT BRIEF.

Operational Planning Template
Overall purpose of the operational plan:

 

Objective	Tasks	Resources	Responsibility	Timescale

 

Risks and contingency

Guidance for completion of Task 2a

This may be based on the scenario given above or an area of responsibility in an organisation you know well or have researched. The operational plan must show a clear link to organisational objectives and be based on one area of work. If required, the CMI template can be adapted or extended. The plan may be presented in a format of your choice or using the CMI template provided. Please refer to the indicative content for each assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification.

 

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TASK 2b

For the operational plan presented for Task 2a, write an account which:

i. Examines the impact of legal and organisational factors on the operational plan (AC2.1)

ii. Assesses the ethical requirements that influence the operational plan (AC2.2)

Guidance for completion of Task 2b

You are encouraged to consider the use of well chosen examples from an organisation you know well or have researched. You are not required to include every piece of legislation, organisational policy and procedure in your account. You should focus on those you feel are essential to operational planning. Refer to the indicative content for each assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification.

»	MANAGING AND MONITORING AN OPERATIONAL PLAN

Successful delivery of operational plans requires not only the ability to lead and manage, but also the knowledge of techniques for problem solving and decision making and methods to monitor progress and measure outcomes.

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TASK 3

For the operational plan presented for Task 2a, you are required to write an account of how the operational plan may be monitored and managed.  The account must:

i. Assess methods of managing and leading the delivery of an operational plan (AC3.1)

ii. Examine techniques for problem solving and decision making (AC3.2)

iii. Evaluate methods to monitor progress and measure the outcomes of operational plans (AC4.1)

Guidance for completion of Task 3

The account should include sub headings.  You may choose to include tables and diagrams (as appropriate). Your discussion should be underpinned with relevant theoretical principles. You may include good practice examples from an organisation you know well or have researched. Please refer to the indicative content for each assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification.

 

»	ASSESSMENT GUIDANCE

 

Refer

Pass

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) 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)

All About Unit 515 Creating and Delivering Operational Plans

CMI Unit 515 focuses on equipping managers with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop, implement, and evaluate operational plans that align with an organisation’s strategic objectives. This unit explores the essential components of operational planning, including resource allocation, risk management, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement.

Students undertaking this unit will critically analyse how operational plans contribute to overall business success. They will be required to demonstrate a structured approach to planning, considering key elements such as financial constraints, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory compliance. The assignment typically involves practical application, where learners may be asked to create an operational plan tailored to a real-world or simulated business scenario.

Additionally, this unit encourages a problem-solving mindset, requiring students to assess challenges that may arise during the execution of operational plans and propose viable solutions. Effective communication, leadership, and decision-making skills are also emphasised, ensuring managers can effectively drive operational excellence.

By completing Unit 515 Creating and Delivering Operational Plans, students will gain a deeper understanding of how to translate strategic intent into actionable plans, ensuring efficiency, productivity, and long-term organisational success.

Importance of Unit 515

Here are the key points highlighting the importance of CMI Unit 515: Creating and Delivering Operational Plans for students:

1. Enhances Strategic Thinking – Helps students understand how to align operational plans with an organisation’s strategic objectives.

2. Develops Planning Skills – Equips students with the ability to create detailed operational plans, including resource allocation, timelines, and risk management.

3. Improves Decision-Making – Provides tools and techniques to make informed decisions that drive business efficiency and effectiveness.

4. Encourages Problem-Solving – Teaches students how to identify potential challenges and implement proactive solutions.

5. Strengthens Leadership Abilities – Enables students to manage teams effectively and ensure successful execution of operational plans.

6. Focuses on Performance Management – Helps in setting key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success and make improvements.

7. Ensures Compliance and Governance – Educates students on legal, regulatory, and ethical considerations in operational planning.

8. Boosts Resource Management Skills – Teaches how to effectively utilise financial, human, and technological resources.

9. Prepares for Real-World Challenges – Provides practical insights into handling operational complexities in various industries.