School of Business

Management

Qualification: Pearson BTEC

Level 5 HND Diploma
Business (Management)

Assignment
Brief

Unit Number and Title

Unit 16: Managing Communications,
Information & Knowledge (MCKI)

Assessment Deadline:
1st Formative submission date (Tasks 1 & 2 ): 08/06/2014
2nd Formative submission date (Tasks 3 & 4 ): 18/07/2014
Final submission date:
29/07/2014
Internal Verifiers Name:

Date issued: 12/06/2014

Dr. Bilan
Module Leader:
Mrs. Roshima Kumarapathirana
Assessor Name:
Sister Mary Everlyne Owino, Dr. Sahidi Bilan, Dr. Shohail
Choudhury, Mr. James Mburu, Mrs. Rumana Rumu, Mrs.
Roshima Kumarapathirana & Mr. Joseph Opoku

Welcome
Rules and regulations:
Plagiarism is presenting somebody elses work as your own.
It includes: copying information directly from the Web or books
without referencing the material; submitting joint coursework
as an individual effort; copying another students coursework;
stealing coursework from another student and submitting it as
your own work. Suspected plagiarism will be investigated and
if found to have occurred will be dealt with according to the
procedures set down by the College. Please see your student
handbook for further details of what is / isnt plagiarism.
Coursework Regulations
1

2
3

Submission of coursework must be undertaken according to the relevant

procedure. Lecturers will give information as to which procedure must be
followed, and details of submission procedures and penalty fees can be
obtained from Academic Administration or the general student handbook.
Late coursework will be accepted by Academic Admin Office and marked
according to the guidelines given in your Student Handbook for this year.
If you need an extension (even for one day) for a valid reason, you must
request one. Collect a coursework extension request form from the Academic
Admin Office. Then take the form to your lecturer, along with evidence to back
up your request. The completed form must be accompanied by evidence such
as a medical certificate in the event of you being sick. The completed form
must then be returned to Academic Admin for processing. This is the only
way to get an extension.

Learning Outcomes and assessment requirements

Learning
Outcomes

Understand how
to assess
information and
knowledge
needs.

Assessment requirements
To achieve each outcome a learner must
demonstrate the ability to:
1.1 Discuss the range of decisions to be taken.
1.2 Examine the information and knowledge needed to
ensure effective decision taking.
1.3 Assess internal and external sources of information
and understanding.
1.4 Justify recommendations for improvement.

Be able to create 2.1 Identify stakeholders for a decision making process.

strategies to
increase
2.2 Make contact with those identified and develop
personal
business relationships.
networking to
widen
2.3 Involve those identified in decision making as
involvement in
appropriate.
the decision
making process.
2.4 Design strategies for improvement.
Be able to
develop
communication
processes.

3.1 Report on existing processes of communication in

an organisation.
3.2 Design ways to improve appropriateness.
3.3 Implement improvements to ensure greater
integration of systems of communication in that
organisation.

Be able to
improve systems
relating to
information and
knowledge.

3.4 Create a personal plan to improve own

communication skills.
4.1 Report on existing approaches to the collection,
formatting, storage, disseminating information and
knowledge.
4.2 Carry out appropriate changes to improve the
collection, formatting, storage, disseminating
information and knowledge.
4.3 Implement a strategy to improve access to systems
of information and knowledge to others as

appropriate.

In addition to the above PASS criteria, this assignment gives you the opportunity to submit evidence in order to achieve the following MERIT and
DISTINCTION grades

Grade Descriptor

Indicative characteristic/s

M1 Identify and apply strategies to find

appropriate solutions

Effective judgements have been made.

Contextualisation

To achieve M1: You need to evaluate

your communication skills adequately and
identify
strengths
and
areas
of
improvement
by
using
effective
judgements, and create an effective
personal development plan to improve
your own communication skills. (Task 3.3)
or

To achieve M1: You need to use variety

An effective approach to study and research has of sources of data and range of
techniques
to
report
organisations
been applied.
existing information systems.
(Task
4.1)
(An addition opportunity for students to
gain M1)

M2 Select / design and apply appropriate

methods / techniques

The design of methods/techniques has been

justified.

To achieve M2: You need to successfully

design ways to improve appropriateness
in Tescos (or your selected organisations)
present communication process by using
your own justifications. (Task 3.2)
or
To achieve M2: You need to successfully
design ways to improve appropriateness
in Tescos (or your selected organisations)
present approach used for collecting,
formatting, storing and dissemination of
information and knowledge by using your

own justifications. (Task 4.2)

(An addition opportunity for students to
gain M2)
M3 Present and communicate appropriate
findings

The appropriate structure and approach has

been used.

To achieve M3: The work will be presented in

professional presentation formats and will use
business terminology accurately. (Task 1 & 2)

To achieve D1: You need to implement

realistic improvements that have been
proposed against defined characteristics
for success. (Task 4.3)

D1 Use critical reflection to evaluate own

work and justify valid conclusions

Realistic improvements have been proposed

against defined characteristics for success.
Conclusions have been arrived at through
synthesis of ideas and have been justified.

or
To achieve D1: You need to justify your
conclusions through synthesis of ideas
and propose realistic improvements to
develop your own communication skills.
(Task 3.3.)

(An addition opportunity for students to

gain D1)

D2 Take responsibility for managing and

organising activities

Autonomy/independence has been

demonstrated.

To achieve D2: You need conduct an

independent study to exercise sound
judgement to make recommendations for
improving the current system used to
collection,
formatting,
storage
and
dissemination
of
information
and
knowledge.
(Task 4.2)

or

To achieve D2: You need conduct an

independent study to exercise sound
judgement to make recommendations for
improving the appropriateness in Tescos
(or your selected organisations) present
communication process. (Task 3.2)
(An addition opportunity for students to
gain D2)
To achieve D3: You need to use
innovative concepts in arriving at
conclusions
in
designing
effective
strategies for improvement of overall
organisational performance. (Task 1.4.)

D3 Demonstrate convergent /lateral /

creative thinking

Innovation and creative thought have been

applied.

or
To achieve D3: You need to use
innovative concepts in arriving at
conclusions
in
designing
effective
personal
networking
strategies
for
improvement of overall organisational
performance. (Task 2.4.)
(An addition opportunity for students to
gain D3)

Note for assessor/module leaders: Only one indicative characteristic per grade descriptor, M1, M2, M3, D1, D2, D3 is required.

Assignment title

Unit 16: Managing Communications, Information &

Knowledge (MCKI)

Purpose of this Assignment

This assignment aims to provide the opportunity for demonstrating how
communications, knowledge and information can be developed and used to improve
communication within the organisation and with other organisations. It also covers how
IT systems can be used as a management tool for collecting, storing, disseminating
and providing access to knowledge and information.

Scenario
Tesco was founded in 1919 by Jack Cohen from a market stall in Londons East End.
Today it is one of the largest retailers in the world. Tescos core business is retailing in
the UK, which provides 60% of all sales and profits. Tesco has the widest range of food
for any retailer in the UK. Its two main food brands are its Finest and Everyday Value
ranges, each sell over 1 billion per year.
The position of Tesco as a leading global brand is clearly illustrated by its expansion of
operations into 12 countries including China, Czech Republic, India, Malaysia, Ireland,
Hungary and Poland. In 2013 Tesco employed in excess of 530,000 colleagues.
This level of success does not happen by chance. Tescos leaders have always set high
standards and clear goals, never settling for anything less than the best. Tescos
Every Little Helps philosophy puts customers, communities and employees at the
heart of everything it does. It prides itself on providing a great shopping experience
for every customer it serves, whether in stores, online or in its many other service
provisions.
Recently, the UK's largest retailer is focused on transforming its domestic business
through a capital intensive programme of store refurbishments and a potentially
margin-dilutive drive online. The issue that is affecting Tescos recent performance is
their decision to write down up to 170 sites across the UK, earmarked for development
of new stores. Although this will save them a little money in the long run, this may be
music to the ears of Asda-Wal-Mart and Sainsburys, its two major rivals in the UK
supermarket sector. On the other, the need to reverse overseas volume declines in
order to shore-up international margins is pressing.
Due to its unprecedented challenges it is facing, in terms of global expansion, many
subsidiaries opened in various countries, coping with sophisticated customers needs
and wants, tough competition, increase of costs of resources and raw materials. Tesco
is trying to improve their communications processes to coordinate their global
operations, to make better use of their communication and information systems in
order to take advantage of the current knowledge based economy.

Effective communications, information management, and information and intelligence

sharing are critical aspects of managing global organisations. This helps to increase
overall productivity, profitability, employee motivation, and provide positive
contribution to the value creation process.
(Source: Tesco PLC, Adapted from
The Times100 Case study)
Assume you are working as a Communication Officer specialised in
organisational communication, knowledge and information. Your role as a
Communication Officer, you are responsible for reporting the Senior
Management, regarding the existing communication system and how new
strategies can be developed and implement for your organisation.
Recently, Senior Management requested you to prepare a report on organisations
communication, information and knowledge. Your report needs to consist with Four
Parts that covers the following areas:
Part 01.

Assess information and knowledge needs of Tesco plc.

Part 02.

Design strategies to improve the involvement of different

stakeholders in decision making process.

Part 03.

Develop communication process which is more suitable to

present business environment.

Part 04.

Improvement of different systems relating to information

and knowledge.

To prepare this report you will need to;

Answer all questions on Task 1 - 4.

Gather detailed information about communication in organisations such as

Tesco.

Alternatively, you can use the organisation where you are employed, the college
where you are studying or another organisation of your choice.

Using the above information answer the task 1 - 4 below;

Task 1: (AC 1: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3., 1.4., M3 & D3)

1.1. Based on the 3 levels of management in Tesco (or your selected organisation)
discuss the major decisions that are taken by Management at each level. (AC 1.1)
Discuss strategic decisions, tactical decisions and operational decisions by providing
examples from your selected organisation.
1.2. Examine the information and knowledge which will support/ensure effectiveness
of the decisions taken by Management that have been stated above. (AC 1.2.)
Based on the major decisions that are taken by Tesco (or your selected organization),
define and identify different information and knowledge needs. You should examine
how these information and knowledge support managers to make effective decisions.
You can consider what and how knowledge and information requirements may change
over time and what organisation can do in order to respond to accommodate these
requirements.
1.4.

1.3. Assess the internal and external sources of information and understanding.
(AC 1.3.)

Identify and explain different sources of data and information available for an
organisation by providing real word examples. Use qualities of good information (cost,
reliability, quality or value, time or duration, etc.) and conduct an assessment to
compare these sources of data and information.
1.4. Provide any recommendations to improve information and knowledge available to
Tescos (or your selected organisation). You may give particular attention to the data
collection methods in your recommendation. Justify recommendations by explaining
how and why these recommendations will make the system better. (AC 1.4.)
To achieve M3: The work will be presented in professional presentation
formats and will use business terminology accurately.
To achieve D3: You need to use innovative concepts in arriving at conclusions
in designing effective strategies for improvement of overall organisational
performance.

LO1 Demonstrate how you understand how to assess information and knowledge needs.
Assessment Criteria 1.1., 1.2., 1.3. & 1.4.

Task 2: (AC 2: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3., 2.4., M3 & D3)

2.1. Identify stakeholders who can influence the decision making process in Tesco (or
in your selected Organisation). (AC 2.1.)
Based on your selected organisation identify different stakeholders and explain why
those identified stakeholders are important and perhaps what roles they play in the
decision making process.

2.2. Discuss how to make contact with those identified and develop business
relationships. (AC 2.2.)
Discuss how the selected organisation communicate with each stakeholder and how
these stakeholders communicate with them. Include the explanations of what are the
methods (ways) that can used by the selected organisation to create contacts with
each stakeholder group and also explain how to maintain these contact to develop
business relationships.
2.3. Discuss how personal networking helps to involve identified stakeholders in the
decision making process of Tesco (or your selected organisation). ( AC 2.3.)
Define the term Personal Networking. Explain how those Personal Networking help to
involve identified stakeholders in the decision making process and the benefits of it to
the selected organisation.

2.4. Design strategies that can be adopted by Tesco (or your selected organisation) to
improve personal networking and encourage those identified to involve in the decision
making. (AC 2.4.)
To achieve M3: The work will be presented in professional report format and
will use business terminology accurately.
To achieve D3: You need to use innovative concepts in arriving at conclusions
in designing effective personal networking strategies for improvement of
overall organisational performance.

LO 2: Explain how you would create strategies to increase personal networking to widen involvement in
the decision making process. Assessment Criteria 2.1., 2.2., 2.3. & 2.4.

Task 3: (AC 3: 3.1, 3.2, 3.3., 3.4., M1, M2, D1 & D2)
3.1. Considering Tescos communication process (or the selected organisation), report
on existing processes of communication. (AC P3.1.)
Need to conduct an analysis of the selected organisations existing communication
processes. This can be either one way or two way communication, formal and informal
communication, Internal and external communication, verbal and non-verbal
communication, different types of organisational communication, etc.

3.2.
Design strategies to improve the communication process in Tesco (or your
selected organisation) and how you will as a communication officer implement these
Improvements to ensure greater integration of communication systems. (AC P3.2. &
3.3.)
Make necessary strategies to improve existing processes. Give any limitations that
can be faced by the selected organisation during the implementation process of any
improvements eg: how communication is influenced by values and cultural factors, the
communication policies, procedures and their impact, limitation of resources, etc.
To achieve M2:
You need to successfully design ways to improve
appropriateness in Tescos (or your selected organisations) present
communication process by using your own justifications.
To achieve D2: You need conduct an independent study to exercise sound
judgement to make recommendations for improving the appropriateness in
Tescos (or your selected organisations) present communication process.

3.3. Create a personal plan to improve your own communication skills. (AC 3.4.)
To achieve M1:
You need to evaluate your communication skills adequately
and identify strengths and areas of improvement by using effective
judgements, and create an effective personal development plan to improve
your own communication skills.

To achieve D1: You need to justify your conclusions through synthesis of

ideas and propose realistic improvements to develop your own
communication skills.

LO 3: Explain how you would help communication process. Assessment Criteria 3.1., 3.2., 3.3, & 3.4
.

Task 04: (AC 4: 4.1, 4.2, 4.3., M1, M2, D1 & D2)
4.1. Report on existing approaches to the collection, formatting, storage and
dissemination of information and knowledge by Tesco (or your selected organisation).
(AC 4.1.)
To achieve M1: You need to use variety of sources of data and range of
techniques to report organisations existing information systems.

4.2. Carry out appropriate changes to improve the current approach used for
collecting, formatting, storing and dissemination of information and knowledge? (AC
4.2.)
Provide ways to improve the current system used to collection, formatting, storage
and dissemination of information and knowledge.
To achieve M2:
You need to successfully design ways to improve
appropriateness in Tescos (or your selected organisations) present approach
used
for
collecting,
formatting,
storing
and
dissemination
of
information and knowledge by using your own justifications.
To achieve D2: You need conduct an independent study to exercise sound
judgement to make recommendations for improving the current system used
to collection, formatting, storage and dissemination of information and
knowledge.

4.3.
What are the steps Tescos (or your selected organisation) management can
take to implement a
strategy to improve access to systems of information and
knowledge? (AC 4.3.)
Identify various strategies to improve access to information system and knowledge
and explain what steps Tesco (or your selected organisation) needs to follow to
implement those identified strategies.
To achieve D1: You need to implement realistic improvements that have been

proposed against defined characteristics for success.

LO 4: Explain how you will improve systems relating to information and knowledge. Assessment Criteria
4.1., 4.2., & 4.3

Evidence
checklist
Task 1

Summary of evidence required by student

A report that assess information and knowledge needs of an organisation.

Task 2

A report that provides strategies to increase personal networking to widen

involvement in the decision making process.

Task 3

A report that evaluate the existing communication process of an

organisation and provide some suggestions to improvements and the
implementations.

Task 4

A Personal Development Plan to develop learners own communication

A report that shows how to improve systems relating to information and
knowledge.

Achievement Summary
Qualification
Unit Number and
title

Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND

Diploma in Business
Unit 16: Managing
Communications, Information &
Knowledge (MCKI)

Assessor
name
Student name

Criteria
Refere
nce

To achieve the criteria the evidence must show that the

student is able to:

LO 1

Understand how to assess information and knowledge

needs.

1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
LO 2

Discuss the range of decisions to be taken.

Examine the information and knowledge needed to ensure
effective decision taking.
Assess internal and external sources of information and
understanding.
Justify recommendations for improvement.
Be able to create strategies to increase personal
networking to widen involvement in the decision making
process.

2.1

Identify stakeholders for a decision making process.

2.2
2.3

Make contact with those identified and develop business

relationships.
Involve those identified in decision making as appropriate.

2.4

Design strategies for improvement.

LO 3

Be able to develop communication processes.

3.1

Report on existing processes of communication in an

organisation.
Design ways to improve appropriateness.

3.2

Achieved?
(tick)

3.3
3.4

Implement improvements to ensure greater integration of

systems of communication in that organisation.
Create a personal plan to improve own communication
skills.

LO 4

Be able to improve systems relating to information and

knowledge.

4.1

Report on existing approaches to the collection, formatting,

storage, disseminating information and knowledge.
Carry out appropriate changes to improve the collection,
formatting, storage, disseminating information and
knowledge.
Implement a strategy to improve access to systems of
information and knowledge to others as appropriate.

4.2

4.3

Higher Grade achievements (where applicable)

Grade descriptor

Achieved
?
(tick)

Grade descriptor

Effective judgements have

been made.
or
An effective approach to study and
research has been applied.

D1: Conclusions have been

The
design
of
methods/techniques
has
been
justified.
M3: The appropriate structure and
approach has been used.

D2:

M1:

M2:

arrived at through synthesis

of ideas and have been
justified.
or
Realistic improvements have
been proposed against
defined characteristics for
success.
The
importance
of
interdependence has been
recognised and achieved.
D3: Innovation and creative
thought have been applied.

Achieve
d?
(tick)

Assignment Feedback
Formative Feedback: Assessor to Student

Action Plan

Summative feedback

Assessor
Signature

Date