Scenario

Your manager has asked you to complete a briefing paper for her to give to a visiting team of people practice graduates who are particularly interested in how evidenced-based practice is used in the context of people practices. The content needs to give them critical insight into what evidence-based practice is and how it is relevant to people professionals. She has also asked you to include practical examples of the types of data analysis that people professionals use.

Briefing paper – part one

For part one, you need to provide the graduates with knowledge and understanding of what evidence-based practice is and identify approaches that can be taken for effective critical thinking and decision-making that ensures integrity and value is upheld.

You must ensure that you:

• evaluate the concept of evidence-based practice including how approaches to evidence-based practice can be used to provide insight that supports sound decision-making across a range of people practices and organisational issues. (AC 1.1)
• evaluateone appropriate analysis tool and one appropriate analysis method that might be applied by organisations to recognise and diagnose issues, challenges, and opportunities. (AC 1.2)
• explain the main principles of critical thinking including how these might apply to your own and others’ ideas to assist objective and rational debate.  (AC 1.3)
• explaintwo decision-making processes for achieving effective outcomes. (AC 1.4)
• assess how two different ethical perspectives can be used to inform and influence moral decision-making. (AC 1.5)
• appraise twodifferent ways organisations measure financial and non-financial performance, providing one example of each. (AC 3.1)
• explain how people practices add value in an organisation and identify twomethods that might be used to measure the impact of people practices. (AC 3.2)

You should relate to academic concepts, theories and professional practice throughout your briefing paper to ensure that your work is critical and informed by using key academic texts, articles and relevant publications. All cited references used should be taken from credible sources and should be correctly acknowledged and presented in full in a bibliography at the end of your briefing paper.

Briefing paper – part two (quantitative and qualitative analysis review)

In part two of your briefing paper, using the information in Table 1 and Table 2 below, you should provide examples of the types of data analysis that people practitioners use. (AC 2.1, AC 2.2 and AC 2.3)

Table 1 – Performance data – (please double click on the icon to open the table)

Table one provides performance review judgements for employees from four departments completed across two quarters. Each individual employee’s performance outcome is indicated by one of the four criteria-based judgements below:

1. outstanding
2. meets set individual Key Performance Indicators
3. not quite there yet, and
4. underperforming.

1.Present each department’s performance review judgements as a percentage.

2.Those gaining ‘outstanding’ are entitled to a four percent bonus payment each quarter. Calculate the bonus due to each of these employees for each quarter and then provide an overall total cost of bonus payments for the organisation.

Present your findings from Table 1 using a minimum of three appropriate diagrammatical forms and make justifiable recommendations based on your evaluations.

The survey data presented in Table 2 has been collected from managers and employees on their views of the organisation’s approach to monitoring performance. Review the data in Table 2 and identify any patterns, themes or trends that might be occurring and present recommendations based on your findings.

Table 2 – Performance review survey responses from line managers and employees

There is no requirement to include evidence of the use of references to wider reading for AC 2.1 and AC 2.2.

Your evidence must consist of:

A briefing paper for new people practice graduates with two parts:

• Part one – Knowledge and understanding (2900 words)
• Part two – Quantitative and qualitative analysis review (1000 words) Refer to CIPD word count policy.

Assessment Criteria Evidence Checklist

1.1 Evaluate the concept of evidence-based practice including how it can be applied to decision-making in people practice.

1.2 Evaluate a range of analysis tools and methods including how they can be applied to diagnose organisational issues, challenges and opportunities.

1.3 Explain the principles of critical thinking including how you apply these to your own and others’ ideas.

1.4 Explain a range of decision-making processes.

1.5 Assess how different ethical perspectives can influence decision-making.

3.1 Appraise different ways organisations measure financial and non-financial performance.

3.2 Explain how to measure the impact and value of people practice using a variety of methods.

2.1 With reference to a people practice issue, interpret analytical data using appropriate analysis tools and methods.

2.2 Present key findings for stakeholders from people practice activities and initiatives.

2.3 Make justified recommendations based on evaluation of the benefits, risks and financial implications of potential solutions.