1. Read the case study ‘A. C. Gilbert’ (Appendix 1). Assume no improvements have been made and the company is still operating in the same way today as when it closed in 1967.

2. Consider the following scenario:

Your manager, as per organisational processes for continuous improvement, has asked you to develop a performance improvement strategy, brief the management team, develop the idea with the team, seek the team’s approval and seek final approval from your manager.

1. Develop a one page performance improvement strategy related to competitiveness. Include:

   1. strategic goals

   2. description of proposed process or amendment to current process

   3. brief explanation of how proposal will improve performance and competitiveness

   4. KRAs, KPIs, targets.

2. Prepare to deliver a 20–30 minute management team briefing and consultation session:

   1. distribute your proposed strategies to team(team members may be other learners, or other group approved by assessor)

   2. ask team to consider strategy, including:

      1. pros and cons

      2. changes or improvements to strategy

      3. preparing to discuss changes or improvements at team briefing and consultation session

   3. agree time for session (agree time with assessor to ensure assessor can observe session).

3. Lead session.

   1. discuss options and work through group suggestions

   2. use creative techniques to generate or develop ideas

   3. work through implications of suggestions to trial them

   4. encourage group to point out issues or potential problems during trailing

   5. if and when applicable, accept failure of ideas and recognise successful ideas.

4. Summarise results of session and seek group’s approval for amended strategy.

5. Incorporate results of session into revised strategy.

6. Develop a risk analysis for strategy.

7. Develop a cost-benefit analysis for strategy.

8. Arrange a time to meet with assessor (as your manager) to discuss strategy, risk and cost-benefit analyses. Explain costs and benefits. Seek approval for strategy.

9. Submit documents to your assessor as per the specifications below. Ensure you keep a copy of all work submitted for your records.

Specifications

You must provide a:

• one page performance improvement strategy

• 20–30 minute team briefing and consultation session (team members may be other learners, or other group approved by assessor)

• revised one page performance improvement strategy

• written risk analysis

• written cost-benefit analysis.

Your assessor will be looking for:

• application of quality management and continuous improvement theories in improvement strategy

• demonstration of creativity and innovation theories in group consultation

• application of organisational learning principles

• demonstration of cost-benefit analysis

• demonstration of risk management

• analytical skills to identify improvement opportunities

• demonstration of creativity skills to think laterally and identify improvement opportunities that come from group

• demonstration of learning skills to develop options for continuous improvement

• demonstration of teamwork and leadership skills to lead group session.