Understand what is required to be an effective and efficient HR professional.

Assignment Brief

IHRM ASSIGNMENT Developing Professional Practice (5DVP) Ref No 5DVP IHR101001 Student name:
CRITERIA	MET/ NOT YET MET	COMMENTS
LO1: Understand what is required to be an effective and efficient HR professional.
1.1 Evaluate what it means to be an HR professional with reference to the CIPD’s most current Profession Map.
1.2 Describe the elements of group dynamics and conflict resolution methods.
LO2: Be able to perform efficiently and effectively as an HR professional
2.1 Apply project management techniques
2.2 Apply problem-solving techniques
2.3 Apply a range of methods for influencing, persuading and negotiating with others
LO3: Be able to apply CPD techniques to construct, implement and review a personal development plan
3.1 Undertake a self-assessment of HR professional practice capabilities to identify continuing professional development needs
3.2 Produce a plan to meet personal development objectives based on an evaluation of different options
3.3 Reflect on performance against the plan, identify learning points for the future and revise the plan accordingly
ASSESSMENT OUTCOME

Note: This assignment is based on Reflecting Professional Development and asks you to reflect on your own practices by understanding how efficient and effect HR professional works in an organisation. In order to get this assignment on Developing Professional Practice done perfectly, you need to take care of a few important things. An efficient HR professional plays a vital role for the success of an organisational goals and objectives. A professional HR practitioner must know the exact policies and procedures of an organisation. They must be familiar to both internal and external factors that affect an organisation by any means. By recognising opportunities and threats that these factors can bring, an effective and efficient HR Professional understand what preventive measures are needed to be taken. Therefore this question asks every student to act like an HR professional and understand what is required to be an effective and efficient HR professional.

In this paper, you are supposed to focus on the main theme of Developing Professional Practice which encompasses the evaluation of HR professional along with the requirements of an effective and well-organized HR professional in detail. In addition to this, apply CPD techniques to construct, implement and review a personal development plan.

Instructions 

Summative Assessment for Developing Professional Practice (5DVP/01)

Learning outcomes:

1. Understand what is required to be an effective and efficient HR professional.
2. Be able to perform efficiently and effectively as an HR professional.
3. Be able to apply CPD techniques to construct, implement and review a personal development plan.

Assessment Activity

You are asked to develop an electronic portfolio of evidence which includes four sections that respond to the following tasks:

Activity 1

Evaluate what it means to be an HR professional, making reference to the current CIPD Profession Map. This can be accessed athttps://www.cipd.co.uk/learn/career/profession-map

Activity 2

Briefly describe the elements of group dynamics and give at least two examples of conflict resolution methods within an HR context.

Activity 3

With reference to a recent or current project (large or small) which you have led (or been part of a project team):

• Provide evidence of using project management and problem-solving techniques in the course of the project.
• Explain how you successfully influenced, persuaded and negotiated with others in the course of the project (or other related activity).

Activity 4

• Undertake a self-assessment of one area of your practice to identify your professional development needs in that area and options to address these.
• Produce a professional development plan (PDP) plan to meet your professional development needs which includes a justification of the option(s) chosen.
• During your programme, provide a reflective summary of your performance against the plan. You should also identify any future development needs and record these in your PDP.

(Note: If required, CPD plan and record templates for students are available at https://www.cipd.co.uk/learn/cpd/about )

Evidence to be produced/required

A portfolio of evidence of approximately 2600 words in total (excluding the PDP) that responds to each of the four tasks.

You should relate academic concepts, theories and professional practice to the way organisations operate, in a critical and informed way, and with reference to key texts, articles and other publications and by using organisational examples for illustration.

All reference sources should be acknowledged correctly and a bibliography provided where appropriate (these should be excluded from the word count).

Sample Answer

Developing Professional Practice in Human Resources

Activity 1: Understanding the HR Profession

Being an effective and efficient HR professional requires a comprehensive understanding of the roles, responsibilities, and strategic contribution of HR to organisational success. According to the current CIPD Profession Map, HR professionals must operate across four core areas: Insights, Strategy and Solutions, Leading HR, and Ethical Practice. These areas integrate technical HR knowledge with strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and people management capabilities.

The CIPD map emphasises that HR professionals should be adaptable, resilient, and capable of influencing organisational culture. For instance, HR practitioners must understand employment law, workforce planning, and talent management while also being capable of contributing to organisational strategy. Efficiency in HR is demonstrated through consistent application of HR policies and procedures, ensuring compliance, mitigating risks, and proactively addressing employee concerns. An effective HR professional also identifies internal and external factors impacting the business, such as market changes, regulatory developments, and technological trends, and applies this understanding to organisational decision-making.

Moreover, HR effectiveness is measured by the ability to support organisational goals, enhance employee engagement, and ensure high-quality HR service delivery. For example, introducing structured performance management systems or competency frameworks demonstrates professionalism and contributes to strategic objectives. Overall, the role requires both operational competence and strategic insight to ensure HR practices are aligned with organisational needs.

Activity 2: Group Dynamics and Conflict Resolution

Group dynamics describe the behavioural and psychological processes that occur within a team or group setting. Understanding group dynamics is essential for HR professionals as they influence team performance, decision-making, and workplace culture. Key elements include team roles, communication patterns, norms, cohesion, and leadership influence. For instance, Belbin’s team roles model identifies how individual strengths contribute to group objectives, enabling HR managers to optimise team performance through role allocation.

Conflict within teams is inevitable, and HR professionals must adopt effective resolution methods. Two widely recognised conflict resolution techniques are mediation and collaborative problem-solving. Mediation involves a neutral third party facilitating a resolution by helping conflicting parties communicate and negotiate solutions. For example, if two employees dispute task responsibilities, an HR professional may mediate to reach a mutually acceptable agreement. Collaborative problem-solving encourages parties to focus on shared goals and develop solutions that meet mutual interests, promoting long-term cooperation. Understanding both informal and formal approaches ensures HR practitioners can maintain workplace harmony, foster employee engagement, and prevent escalation of disputes.

Continued...