CMI 312 Assignment Example

CMI 312 Managing Daily Activities to Achieve Results, teaches essential skills for effectively managing time and resources. This unit focuses on planning, organising, and prioritising tasks to reach set goals. It also covers how to monitor progress, handle unexpected events, and adjust plans when needed. By completing this unit, students will learn how to manage their time and resources effectively to achieve desired outcomes.

Assessment Questions

Task 1: Understand the purpose of daily work activities in the context of an organisation 

Every organisation has daily tasks that keep the business running smoothly. While it’s easy to get caught up in these routine activities, it’s essential to step back and recognize the purpose they serve in the bigger picture.

AC 1.1 Assess the scope and purpose of daily work activities in the context of an organisation

Example:

The scope of daily work activities can differ widely across organisations. In some cases, employees focus on tasks directly tied to the core business—such as a marketing team developing a new advertising campaign. In other cases, employees handle supporting tasks that keep operations running smoothly, like a human resources team managing onboarding or employee benefits.

No matter the role, daily activities should align with the organisation’s goals. By understanding the purpose of their tasks, employees can ensure they are contributing meaningfully to the organisation.

AC 1.2 Identify the legal and organisational frameworks which impact on how a team delivers daily work activities

Example:

Several legal frameworks can affect how a team carries out daily tasks:

• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974: This UK law requires employers to ensure safe workplaces, addressing risks like slips and falls. It applies to all businesses, regardless of size or industry.
• Data Protection Act 1998: This UK law governs the collection, use, and storage of personal data, requiring businesses to protect such data from misuse or loss. It applies to any organization that handles personal information.
• Working Time Directive 1998: This EU regulation sets minimum standards for rest time, holidays, and working hours. It mandates that employees receive at least 20 days of paid leave annually and 11 hours of rest between shifts.

These frameworks guide businesses in maintaining safe, fair, and compliant work environments.

AC 1.3 Explain how daily work activities contribute to the achievement of organisational targets.

Example:

Employees’ daily tasks play a key role in helping the organisation reach its goals in several ways.

First, when employees understand the purpose of their work, they can see how they contribute to the organisation’s success, which can boost morale, motivation, and performance.

Second, by following legal and organisational guidelines, employees help keep the organisation compliant, avoiding potential fines and safeguarding the business’s reputation.

Finally, effective teamwork and collaboration help achieve goals more efficiently, saving time and resources while enhancing the quality of the organisation’s outcomes.

Task 2: Understand how to prioritise and set objectives for daily work activities.

To succeed in any field, it’s important to prioritise and set goals for daily tasks. This can be challenging, as there are always many tasks that need attention, and it’s not always easy to decide where to begin.

AC 2.1 Explain how to identify priorities for daily work activities

There are several methods to help identify priorities for daily tasks:

• The Eisenhower Matrix: This method sorts tasks into four categories based on urgency and importance, helping to decide which tasks need immediate action and which can be scheduled for later.
• The Pareto Principle: This approach suggests that 80% of results come from 20% of the effort, guiding focus on the most impactful tasks.
• The ABC Analysis: This method groups tasks into three levels of importance, allowing priorities to be set based on their significance to the organisation’s success.

AC 2.2 Explain how to set SMART objectives for teams and individuals to achieve daily work activities.

SMART objectives are a helpful way to set clear goals for teams and individuals, as they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

When creating SMART objectives, it’s important to think about what the team or person aims to accomplish and what success looks like. The goals should be realistic, achievable, and aligned with the organisation’s overall goals.

Setting a timeframe for each objective also allows for tracking and measuring progress. Finally, it’s key to communicate these goals clearly to everyone involved so they understand and can work towards them together.

Task 3: Know how to organise and allocate work.

Organising and assigning work might seem challenging at first, but it becomes manageable once you know the steps to take.

AC 3.1 Identify tools that contribute to the efficient completion of daily work activities.

Several tools can support the efficient completion of daily tasks:

• A task list helps organise and track progress. This could be a simple handwritten list or a digital spreadsheet.
• Project management software assists in planning, tracking, and updating team members on project progress, especially useful for larger projects.
• Time management software tracks time spent on tasks and identifies areas for improvement, ideal for individuals or teams aiming to optimise their time.

AC 3.2 Outline the support provided to the team to complete daily work activities.

Teams can be supported in several ways to complete their daily tasks:

• Training helps team members learn new skills and enhance their performance.
• Mentoring offers guidance and support from more experienced colleagues.
• Coaching assists team members in identifying and overcoming challenges.
• Providing adequate resources, like equipment, materials, and information, also helps teams work effectively.

AC 3.3 Identify the resources provided to the team to complete daily work activities.

Teams can be provided with several resources to help them complete their daily tasks:

• Equipment, such as tools, machinery, and vehicles.
• Materials, including raw materials, parts, and supplies.
• Information, which can consist of data, documents, and instructions.
• Support from other team members, managers, and external experts.

AC 3.4 Explain how work is allocated to the team members.

Work is usually assigned to team members according to their skills, knowledge, and experience. This helps ensure that tasks are completed effectively and efficiently.

Additionally, work can be assigned based on team members’ availability. For instance, if one member is unavailable for a while, their tasks can be given to another member who is free.

Task 4: Understand how to monitor outcomes and respond to problems.

In managing a business, it’s crucial to know how to track results and address issues. This helps ensure that your business stays on track and highlights areas that need improvement.

AC 4.1 Explain how to monitor the actual progress of work activities against planned performance.

A key part of managing a business is keeping an eye on how work activities are progressing compared to what was planned. This ensures the business stays on track and helps find areas for improvement.

There are several ways to monitor progress. One way is by having team members submit regular reports to track their work and spot any issues. Another option is to use project management software, which gives current updates on project status. Additionally, holding regular meetings with team members allows for discussions about progress and any challenges they may be facing.

AC 4.2 Explain how to respond to problems that may impact the delivery of daily work activities.

When problems come up that could affect daily work activities, it’s important to respond quickly and effectively. This might mean taking corrective actions, like providing extra resources or adjusting the work’s scope.

You may also need to inform other team members, managers, or outside stakeholders about the issue. Keeping everyone in the loop ensures that the right actions can be taken.

Finally, it’s essential to document the problem and the steps taken to fix it. This can help prevent similar issues from happening again in the future.

AC 4.3 Explain how to provide constructive feedback and have difficult conversations with individuals.

In business management, it’s crucial to give constructive feedback and have tough conversations with team members. This ensures everyone understands expectations and that issues are resolved quickly.

One effective way to provide constructive feedback is through regular one-on-one meetings with team members. These meetings allow for open discussions about concerns and feedback. Another method is to hold group meetings, where feedback can be shared with the whole team at once.

If you face challenges in giving feedback, it’s important to have a plan to address them. This might involve seeking assistance from a manager or the human resources department.

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