CMI 318 Assignment Help

At Level 3, the majority of assessable work should still be written, regardless of how it is generated or recorded. For this unit, the expected work volume is roughly 2000-2500 words, with a margin of +/-10%. While exceeding the word count isn’t a reason for referral, the CMI reserves the right to return the work for editing and resubmission if necessary.

Certain elements are excluded from the word count if used but are not required by the assessment brief. These include an introduction to a job role, organisation, or department, index or contents pages, headings and subheadings, diagrams, charts and graphs, reference list or bibliography, and a reflective statement about the assignment and how it has influenced the learner’s work.

AIM

The ability to solve problems, make timely decisions, and respond to customer needs relies on having access to good-quality data and information. However, with the increasing amount of data, managing it has become more challenging. This unit aims to provide managers with the knowledge of how to collect, evaluate, and analyse various types of data and information, as well as how to report findings for different business purposes, while following legal and organisational guidelines.

Assessment Questions

TASK 1: Reasons for collecting data and information

No matter the size or type of organisation, managers need to understand why data and information are collected. Effective decision-making within the organisation depends on having access to high-quality data and information.

AC 1.1 Explain reasons why organisations collect data and information

Example

Organisations collect data and information for several important reasons:

First, to make informed decisions. Data and information provide valuable insights into trends, patterns, and relationships, helping organisations identify problems, opportunities, and how to best use their resources.

Second, to measure performance. Data helps organisations track progress toward their goals, showing where they are performing well and where improvements are needed.

Third, to understand customers. By collecting data, organisations can learn more about their customers’ needs and behaviours. This understanding enables them to develop better products and services and market them more effectively.

Finally, organisations collect data to comply with regulations. Some information is necessary to meet legal requirements, such as data on employees, customers, or suppliers, to ensure compliance with laws like anti-discrimination or anti-corruption regulations.

TASK 2: Use of data and information in organisations

While accessing data and information has never been easier, managers must go beyond the surface to understand the sources, types, and uses of primary, secondary, qualitative, and quantitative data.

AC 2.1 Explain the differences between data and information

Example

When conducting research, it’s important to differentiate between primary and secondary sources of data and information.

Primary sources are first-hand accounts of an event or experience, such as eyewitness testimony, official records, or personal letters. Secondary sources are second-hand accounts that interpret or analyse primary sources, such as biographies or history books.

To gather accurate and complete information, it’s often necessary to use both types of sources. For example, when researching a historical event, one might start with a secondary source to get an overview, then look at primary sources like diaries or letters to gain a deeper, more personal understanding of what happened. By using both primary and secondary sources, researchers can develop a more complete view of their topic.

AC 2.2 Discuss sources of primary and secondary data and information

Example

AC 2.3 Explain types and use of quantitative and qualitative data and information

Example

TASK 3: Managing data and information

There are many laws that regulate how data and information are collected, used, shared, and stored. It is the organisation’s responsibility to ensure these rules are followed. Standard working practices can only be effective when employees understand the legal and organisational requirements they must follow and can recognize and address the challenges of managing data and information.

AC 3.1 Explain the legal and organisational requirements for managing data and information

Example

There are several laws and regulations that govern how data and information must be managed. The Data Protection Act 1998 sets out rules for how personal data should be collected, used, and protected. The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives individuals the right to request information from public bodies. Additionally, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 provide the right for individuals to request environmental information from public organisations. These legal requirements help ensure that data is handled responsibly and transparently.

AC 3.2 Identify organisational roles and responsibilities for managing data and information

Example

Organisations usually have various roles and responsibilities for managing data and information. These roles may be assigned to specific individuals, teams, or a general manager. Common responsibilities include:

• Data entry: Responsible for inputting data into the organisation’s systems.
• Data storage: Ensures that data is stored securely and can be accessed when needed.
• Data security: Protects data from unauthorised access or theft.
• Data analysis: Analyses data to generate insights or support decision-making.
• Data reporting: Creates reports based on data analysis.

AC 3.3 Outline approaches for checking data and information against organisational needs

Example

Organisations can check data and information to ensure it meets their needs in several ways, including:

• Data audits: Regular checks to ensure the data is accurate and complete.
• Data cleansing: The process of finding and fixing errors in the data.
• Data quality assessment: Measuring data against a set of standards to assess its quality.

AC 3.4 Discuss methods used to organise data and information

Example

There are several methods used to organise data and information, including:

• Data classification: Grouping data into categories.
• Data tagging: Adding metadata to data to make it easier to search.
• Data normalisation: Standardising data to ensure consistency.
• Data aggregation: Combining data from different sources.

AC 3.5 Outline challenges of managing data and information

Example

Managing data and information presents several challenges. One of the main challenges is data growth, as the amount of data being generated is increasing rapidly, making it harder to manage effectively. Another challenge is data quality; with such a large volume of data, ensuring that all of it is accurate and up-to-date can be difficult. Data security is also a concern, as the more data that is stored electronically, the greater the risk of it being stolen or lost. Finally, data governance becomes complex as data is shared across organisations, making it challenging to ensure that it is being used appropriately.

AC 3.6 Identify solutions to address key challenges of managing data and information

Example

To address the challenges of managing data and information, organisations can use several solutions. Data management platforms offer a centralised system for storing, managing, and analysing data, making it easier to handle large volumes of information. Data warehouses provide a central repository where data from various sources can be stored, allowing for better organisation and retrieval. Data lakes are used to store unstructured data in one location, making it accessible for analysis. Finally, data visualisation tools help transform complex data into easy-to-understand visuals, making the information more accessible and actionable.

TASK 4: Interpreting data and information and communicating findings

After collecting and organising data, the next step for a manager is to interpret it in order to identify trends and patterns. This helps make sense of the data before sharing the findings with others. This process focuses on how to interpret the data and the tools that can be used to communicate the results effectively.

AC 4.1 Summarise methods for examining and interpreting data and information

Example

There are several methods for examining and interpreting data. Visualisation involves using charts, graphs, and other visual tools to help understand the data more clearly. Data mining uses algorithms to uncover patterns and trends within the data. Statistical analysis applies various statistical techniques to examine and interpret data. Lastly, qualitative analysis involves using non-numeric methods to gain insights and understand the underlying meaning of the data.

AC 4.2 Explain the advantages and disadvantages of tools used to communicate findings to a target audience

Example

There are several tools available to communicate findings to a target audience. Presentations are effective for sharing information with a large group in a clear and visually engaging way. Reports provide a more detailed account of the findings and can reach a wide audience. Infographics are a concise and visually appealing way to present key points to a broad audience, making the information easier to understand at a glance.

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• CMI 318 Managing Data and Information