1.1 Examine the reasons for innovation in organisations

»	key information for LEARNERs

Overview of assessment tasks

Each task in this assessment brief has been developed to enable you to evidence achievement of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria for CMI 517: Principles of Innovation.  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 517 unit specification 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 CMI 517 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 517

Innovation has the power to transform organisations, teams and individual performance.  When a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship thrives, new ideas and initiatives flourish.

Assessment brief CMI 517 has been designed to enable learners to identify opportunities for innovation in the workplace (which may be in the form of new working practices, processes, new products or services), analyse the rationale for developing initiatives and know how to turn ideas into reality. 

»	assessment tasks and WORD COUNT UNIT CMI 517 Assessment Brief: Principles of Innovation

Assessment brief CMI 517 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 a report entitled: ‘The role of innovation within organisations’.	LO1 Understand the role of innovation within organisations	1.1 Examine the reasons for innovation in organisations	Approx. 1500 words
			1.2 Analyse the types of innovation within organisations
			1.3 Evaluate factors that support a culture of innovation in organisations
2	Write a report entitled: ‘The process of managing innovation in an organisation’.	LO2 Understand the process of managing innovation in an organisation	2.1 Evaluate methods used to drive innovation in an organisation	Approx. 2500 words
			2.2 Examine the process for innovation in an organisation
			2.3 Discuss the role of the manager in leading innovation in an organisation
			2.4 Analyse the role of stakeholders in the innovation process
			2.5 Evaluate methods used to measure the impact of innovation in an organisation

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 3500-4000 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

»	the role of innovation within organisations

In simple terms, innovation can be defined as doing something new or different. What is new or different to one organisation can be considered business as usual to another organisation.  Research has shown that 99% of ideas are simply a variation of a previous idea.

»

TASK 1

 Write a report entitled ‘The role of innovation within organisations’ which must include well chosen examples from a range of organisations.

The report must:

1. Examine the reasons for innovation in organisations (AC1.1)
2. Analyse the types of innovation within organisations (AC1.2)
3. Evaluate THREE (3) factors that support a culture of innovation in organisations (AC1.3)

Guidance for completion of Task 1

Within the report you should include sub headings.  You may choose to include tables and diagrams (as appropriate) to support your discussion. Your discussion should consider good practice examples of your own experience of managing innovation in a range of organisations you know well or have researched. Your discussion should be underpinned with relevant theoretical principles. Please refer to the indicative content for each assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification

»	the process of managing innovation in an organisation

The process of managing innovation in an organisation involves not only the application of methods and processes, but a detailed understanding of the role of the manager to manage stakeholder needs and interests, drive innovation and measure its impact.

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Task 2

Write a report entitled ‘The process of managing innovation in an organisation’. 

You may base your response on ONE (1) example of innovation (i.e. a new product, process or service) or use a range of well chosen examples of how innovation is managed in an organisation you know well or have researched.

The report must be presented in THREE (3) sections:

1. A.    The methods and process used to manage innovation in an organisation

To complete this section of the report you are required to use examples to:

1. Evaluate THREE (3) methods used to drive innovation in an organisation (AC2.1)
2. Examine the process used for innovation in an organisation (AC2.2)

B. The role of stakeholders in the innovation process

To complete this section of the report you are required to use examples to:

1. Discuss the role of the manager in leading innovation in an organisation, (AC2.3)
2. Analyse with examples the role of stakeholders in the innovation process (AC2.4)

C. Methods used to measure the impact of innovation

To complete this section of the report you are required to use examples to:

1. Evaluate THREE (3) methods used to measure the impact of innovation in an organisation (AC2.5)

Guidance for completion of Task 2

Within the report you should include sub headings.  You may choose to include tables and diagrams (as appropriate) to support your discussion. You may base your response on ONE (1) example of innovation e.g. a new product, service or process. You may use your own experience of managing innovation in an organisation or include good practice examples from an organisation you know well or have researched. You are encouraged to make reference to relevant theoretical principles/models/frameworks as appropriate. Please refer to the indicative content for each assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification

»	Assessment Guidance UNIT CMI 517 Assessment Brief: Principles of Innovation

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)