Developing Professional Practice

Developing Professional Practice Unit No/s 5DVP Level 5 Credit value 4 Assessment method CPD Self development Expiry date September 2018 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 brief/activity Activity 1 As an HR professional you will be expected to perform efficiently and effectively. Write a report (approximately 2500 words) which illustrates to your manager the nature of the work that you are involved in as an HR Professional. Ensure that you cover the following: 1. The role and contribution of the HR professional with reference to the CIPD’s Profession Map. 2. Provide examples of where you have used at least two project management techniques within an HR context. 3. Provide examples of where you have used at least two problem solving techniques within an HR context. 4. Describe the elements of group dynamics that can arise within at least two teams and/or departments within your organisation and evaluate the impact on a HR department. 5. Evaluate at least three conflict resolution methods that could be used to resolve issues created by group dynamics and the effectiveness of their application within your organisation. 6. Provide examples of where you have used a range of methods for influencing, persuading and negotiating with others. Activity 2 Using the CIPD Profession Map available at http://www.cipd.co.uk/cipd-hr-profession/profession-map/ undertake a self-assessment of your current knowledge, skills and behaviours in your practitioner role including the two core areas of the Profession Map. From this identify your continuing professional development (CPD) needs. From the self-assessment, identify areas you want to develop and devise your own CPD plan. Identify CPD activities to best address your development objectives and evaluate these particular activities as to why and how they best meet your needs. (Note: If required, CPD plan and record templates are available at http://www.cipd.co.uk/cpd/examples-templates.aspx ) During the period of your studies, reflect on your performance against your CPD plan. As you reflect, identify if there are any further development needs and update your plan accordingly. You will be required to submit your updated CPD plan and CPD record as part of your final assessment. Assessment Criteria 1.1 2.1 2.2 1.2 1.2 2.3 3.1 3.2 3.3 Evidence to be produced/required Activity 1: A report of approximately 2500 words You should relate academic concepts, theories and professional practice to the task set in a critical and informed way, and with reference to key texts, articles and other publications and by using practitioner and professional examples for illustration. All reference sources should be acknowledged correctly and a bibliography provided where appropriate (these should be excluded from the word count). Activity 2: CIPD Profession Map self-assessment. From this a CPD plan should be submitted and at the end of the course a CPD record should be submitted. (Not included in the word count) Guidance for Assessors for 5DVP (LO 1, 2 & 3) This guidance is for assessors only and should not be handed out to candidates. Candidates should provide written responses for Activity 1 equating to approximately 2,500 words in total. Candidates 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. They should evidence their practitioner knowledge and experience. All reference sources should be acknowledged correctly and a bibliography provided where appropriate (these should be excluded from the word count). Activity 1 1.1 Candidates should identify the role and contribution of the HR professional and could include a discussion of the various contributions by HR e.g. administrative, advisory, executive, and ‘thinking performer’ model paradigm. They should provide at least one example of knowledge, skills and behaviours required by a HR professional within their organisation and evaluate why they consider these to be important. 2.1 Candidates should provide evidence of their application of at least two project management techniques (for example: setting objectives, defining deliverables, identifying resources, setting timelines, costing the project, using risk management, monitoring and evaluation). They could explore how e.g. Gantt Charts and other project management tools that they have used enabled them to plan and manage the projects effectively. 2.2 Candidates should provide evidence of having used at least two problem solving techniques to get to the root of a problem and arrive at an appropriate decision for action. Techniques could include for example: situational analysis; testing the validity and reliability of information, examining and interpretation of evidence, or from the range of decision taking tools. 1.2 Candidates should describe the elements of group dynamics that can arise within at least two teams/departments and evaluate the impact. They may illustrate this by referring to a model of group processes e.g. Tuckman or Lewin and could analyse how destructive processes such as Group Think can emerge within a group and the impact it can have on HR. 1.2 Candidates should go on to provide at least three examples of conflict resolution methods e.g.: using communication and active listening to understand the nature of the conflict from the perspectives of the different parties and then coaching to develop a resolution; using compromise; using accommodating to provide temporary relief from the conflict. 2.3 Candidates should give examples of how they influence, persuade and negotiate with others in order to ensure that best outcome for all, seeking a ‘win-win’ situation in order to gain willing co-operation of others. Activity 2 3.1 Activity 2 is not included in the word count. Candidates should undertake a self-assessment using the CIPD Profession Map and cover one professional area plus the key areas; Strategies, Insights and Solutions and Leading HR. 3.2 They should produce a personal development plan (PDP) or use the CIPD plan and record. Their plan should include objectives and associated programme of development activities and timelines and they should select and justify the options chosen for their self-development. Options can include training courses, a secondment, a coach/mentor, branch events etc., and justification can include networking, cost, accessibility etc. 3.3 In their record candidates should explain whether they have met the learning objectives of their planned activity. They should reflect on their learning points and whether they need to revise the plan, especially if the activity has not produced the learning outcome expected. They should reflect on why this learning outcome has not been achieved which could be a number of reasons including mismatch of learning styles to activity, or misunderstanding of the course or conference objective.