The assignment comprises one integrated assessment portfolio comprising a single
business report that is structured into multiple sections. It is designed to allow you to
demonstrate your theoretical and practical knowledge on the topics of ‘Knowledge
Management’ and ‘Learning and Development’. In writing this report you should therefore
utilize relevant concepts & theories discussed during the module and from your additional
reading. You might also want to draw on case study material, or examples of ‘Knowledge
Management’ and ‘Learning and Development’ initiatives that are relevant to your
arguments.
In order to complete this assignment, you will need to watch the first two episodes of the
documentary: ‘Saving Poundstretcher’ (see below for details of how to do this).
Scenario (from the documentary): Chris Edwards, a retail management guru, has been
brought in by the family-owned discount chain ‘Poundstretcher’. At the point reached at the
end of Episode 2, he has decided to bring you in as an external ‘Learning, Development
and Knowledge Management’ consultant to report back to him with a ‘Learning,
Development and Knowledge Management’ Strategy for him to implement.
Structure your report with the following sections:
• Introduction (5% of the mark)
• Outline of the current Situation at Poundstretcher from a Learning and Development and
Knowledge Management perspective (20% of the mark)
• Learning and Development strategy proposal (20% of the mark)
• Knowledge Management strategy proposal (20% of the mark)
• Practical Plan for Implementing the strategy proposals (20% of the mark)
• Conclusion (5% of the mark)
The remaining 10% of the mark is reserved for an assessment of the quality of report
presentation and the quality of the referencing (i.e. conformance to standards and
completeness).
While Chris demands that the Learning, Development and Knowledge Management
strategy is practical and there is a clear plan for implementing it, he is also very keen for it
to be founded on established academic theories and best practices employed in other
organizations. Full academic referencing should therefore be provided throughout the
report.
• You must use Harvard style referencing if you are studying on either the ‘MSc
Human Resource Management’ or ‘MSc Employment Relations and Human
Resource Management’ programme.
• You must use APS style if you are studying on either the ‘MSc Work Psychology’ or
‘MSc Business Psychology’ programme.
WATCHING THE ‘SAVING POUNDSTRETCHER’ DOCUMENTARY
Episodes 1 and 2 of the documentary (1 hour each) will be available via the module Learn
page for you to watch at your convenience. (NB You are only required to watch Episodes 1
and 2. It is at this point of the management journey that your intervention is required.)
COURSEWORK LENGTH, FORMAT AND PENALITES
Please download the template report document from Learn and use it as the basis for
your report.
Essays must be typed in 12-point Ariel font, and be double-spaced.
The total maximum word count for the report is 5000 words including all headings and
references. Please note that there is no +10% allowance for this assignment.
The word count should be stated at the beginning of the report.
This report constitutes 100% of the assessment of this module.