CMI Level 5 Units

Managing the performance of staff is essential to the smooth running of an organisation. This unit evaluates the reasons for managing performance and the approaches that can be used. It explores methods of rewarding the performance of individuals who exceed expectations, and analyses ways of managing under performance in a professional and supportive manner. This unit focuses on the way performance management, when used effectively, is able to impact on individual and organisational achievement.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the rationale for managing performance within organisations
• Understand frameworks, diagnostic and evaluation tools used for performance management
• Know how to manage performance

Effective management of equality and diversity not only benefits staff and stakeholders, it can positively impact on an organisation’s achievement. This unit has been designed to enable the learner to analyse the requirements for managing, monitoring and reporting on equality, diversity and inclusion. It focuses on the skills required to lead by example and how to adapt leadership styles to support others to see the benefits of inclusive practice. On successful completion of the unit, learners will be armed with the knowledge required to develop and implement an Equality action plan, and monitor its outcomes to make continuous improvement.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand legal and organizational approaches to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Understand the role and responsibilities of a manager in relation to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Know how to develop and implement plans which support equality, diversity and inclusion within and organisation

Having a skilled and talented workforce is fundamental if an organisation is to succeed. As responsibility for individual and team development becomes increasingly devolved to managers, it is essential they have the knowledge, skills and capabilities to ensure development needs are successfully met. This unit has been designed to enable the learner to understand the role of the manager in workforce development, and the scope and purpose of development activities. They will also have opportunity to explore innovative approaches for delivering workforce development and how well chosen learning and development activities can contribute to a talent management strategy.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the benefits of developing a skilled and talented workforce
• Know how to measure the impact of workforce development
• Understand the scope of learning and development as part of a workforce development strategy
• Understand the factors which influence workforce development

Managing conflict takes resilience. It requires the ability to evaluate complex information, make evidence based judgements and act professionally within the bounds of organisational and legal frameworks. This unit is designed to equip the learner with strategies to manage conflict with confidence, find creative solutions and make difficult decisions.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the types, causes, stages and impact of conflict within organisations
• Understand how to investigate conflict situations in the workplace
• Understand approaches, techniques, knowledge, skills and behaviours for managing conflict

All organisations need a workforce with skills and behaviours that will better enable them to meet their objectives. In competitive environments, having the right people in the right place and at the right time continues to be a challenge. The aim of this unit is to enable managers to understand the rationale for workforce planning and know how to develop a workforce plan to meet organisational objectives.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the rationale for workforce planning
• Understand the principles and practices of workforce planning

Change is inevitable if an organisation is to maintain competitiveness and currency of practice. This unit has been designed to enable the learner to evaluate types and reasons for change within organisations and be able to select and apply theoretical models for its management. The purpose is not only to enable learners to develop the skills to manage change and achieve set objectives, but to do so in a professional manner with open and honest communication throughout the entire process.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the reasons for change in organisations
• Understand approaches to change management
• Understand how to initiate, plan and manage change in an organisation

Inadequate resourcing can impact on the ability to achieve objectives; whilst being over resourced has financial implications. This unit has been designed to enable managers to understand and respond to the challenge of managing and monitoring resources. Learners will understand the importance of effective and efficient resource use, identify and plan resource requirements and know how to procure resources in line with regulatory requirements.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the importance of effective and efficient resource use in organisations
• Know how to plan resources to meet organisational objectives
• Know how to procure resources
• Know how to monitor resource use in organisations

Business outcomes are optimised when risks are identified and managed effectively. This unit has been designed to equip learners with an understanding of the scope and purpose of business risk management. This includes an evaluation of the types of business risks, the governance and approaches for managing these effectively, and how risk management can be implemented successfully within organisations.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the scope of business risk management
• Understand the process for managing business risk

Financial management skills are essential for all managers regardless of whether there is a dedicated finance team within an organisation. Financial acumen enhances decision making skills, which in turn supports management of projects, tasks and functional areas. This unit has been designed to enable learners to understand how financial systems within organisations operate. Learners will evaluate the sources of finance for organisations, and understand the principles for setting and managing budgets in line with regulatory and organisational guidelines. This unit has been designed to enhance the learner’s confidence and credibility in financial management, which will translate into improved management skills.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand finance within organisations
• Know how to set and manage budgets

Delivering an exceptional customer experience is a challenge which requires skill, commitment, and an in-depth understanding of customer needs. The aim of the unit is to develop managers understanding of their role and responsibilities in managing the customer experience. Learners will develop an understanding of the key features of a customer service culture and the customer journey, which if managed effectively will impact on an organisations success.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the principles of managing the customer experience
• Understand the customer journey in the context of an organisation
• Know how to manage the customer experience
• Know how to monitor and measure the customer experience

Research into approaches to management and leadership can lead to dynamic results. Innovation, product development, performance improvement, change, customer service excellence, strategy and problem solving are just some of the results. Without research business can stagnate. The aim of the unit is for the learner to conduct management research which will have an impact on individual and/or organisational practice. It is expected that learners will plan and manage a genuine project in the workplace or an academic enquiry relevant to an identified business need or challenge.

Learning Outcomes:

• Know how to plan a management project
• Be able to conduct a management project

Reflective practice is an essential management tool which supports the development of knowledge, skills and behaviours in the work place. By consciously analysing own performance, decision making, leadership and management skills (in different situational contexts); opportunities for on-going development can be identified. The aim of the unit is to equip learners with the understanding of the value of reflective practice, and how reflection can be used as the basis of a meaningful personal and professional development.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the value of reflective practice to inform personal and professional development
• Know how to apply reflective practice to inform personal and professional development

The ability to lead individuals and teams to success is arguably the most important skill a manager can possess. This unit focuses on the essential management and leadership skills required to fulfil this challenging but rewarding role. The unit opens by focusing on the theoretical and practical approaches to developing, leading, and managing teams (remote or multi-disciplinary). The manager will look at techniques to assess current and future team capabilities, including the role of recruitment, selection and staff development which supports this. On successful completion of the unit, the manager will not only know the principles of managing individuals and teams, but they will understand approaches for supporting, motivating and inspiring teams and individuals to exceed expectations.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand approaches to developing, managing and leading teams
• Understand approaches to achieving a balance of skills and experience in teams
• Know techniques for leading individuals and teams to achieve success

When individuals and teams are managed well, organisations thrive and staff satisfaction increases. The aim of this unit is to equip managers with an in-depth understanding of the theoretical and practical approaches to leading and managing teams effectively. Managers will identify the techniques used to monitor and manage individual and team performance, assess current and future capabilities and adopt approaches to respond to these. On successful completion of the unit, managers will not only understand how to meet the challenge of leading individuals and teams, they will know how to support, motivate and inspire them to exceed expectations.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand approaches to managing and leading teams
• Know how to achieve a balance of skills and experience in teams
• Know techniques for managing and leading individuals and teams to achieve success

Managing the performance of staff is essential to the smooth running of an organisation. This unit evaluates the reasons for managing performance and the approaches that can be used. It explores methods of rewarding the performance of individuals who exceed expectations, and analyses ways of managing under performance in a professional and supportive manner. This unit focuses on the way performance management, when used effectively, is able to impact on individual and organisational achievement.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the rationale for managing performance within organisations
• Understand frameworks, diagnostic and evaluation tools used for performance management
• Know how to manage performance

Teams play a vital role in enabling organisations to achieve their goals. This unit focuses on the purpose and characteristics of successful teams. Learners’ will review theoretical and practical approaches to team formation; and be able to analyse, and respond to challenges which occur when new teams are formed proactively.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the purpose and characteristics of successful teams
• Understand approaches to team formation
• Know how to analyse and respond to the challenges of team formation
• Know how to evaluate the performance of a newly formed team

Effective management of equality and diversity not only benefits staff and stakeholders, it can positively impact on an organisation’s achievement. This unit has been designed to enable the learner to analyse the requirements for managing, monitoring and reporting on equality, diversity and inclusion. It focuses on the skills required to lead by example and how to adapt leadership styles to support others to see the benefits of inclusive practice. On successful completion of the unit, learners will be armed with the knowledge required to develop and implement an Equality action plan, and monitor its outcomes to make continuous improvement.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand legal and organizational approaches to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Understand the role and responsibilities of a manager in relation to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Know how to develop and implement plans which support equality, diversity and inclusion within and organisation

Coaching and mentoring are proven techniques used to enhance the skills, knowledge, talents and potential of individuals as part of an organisational learning and development strategy. This unit explores the principles and practices of coaching and mentoring, and the impact these techniques can have in the development of a high-performance culture.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the role and purpose of coaching and mentoring within an organisation
• Understand the use of models and processes used in workplace coaching and mentoring
• Know how to manage the delivery of effective coaching and mentoring

Having a skilled and talented workforce is fundamental if an organisation is to succeed. As responsibility for individual and team development becomes increasingly devolved to managers, it is essential they have the knowledge, skills and capabilities to ensure development needs are successfully met. This unit has been designed to enable the learner to understand the role of the manager in workforce development, and the scope and purpose of development activities. They will also have opportunity to explore innovative approaches for delivering workforce development and how well chosen learning and development activities can contribute to a talent management strategy.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the benefits of developing a skilled and talented workforce
• Know how to measure the impact of workforce development
• Understand the scope of learning and development as part of a workforce development strategy
• Understand the factors which influence workforce development

Good relationships, whether they are with customers, suppliers, partners or staff, are a key contributor to an organisation’s success. To build stakeholder relationships that are long lasting and sustainable, they need to be planned and developed. This unit explores the types and purposes of stakeholder relationships and the skills required to overcome challenges and manage these effectively.

Learning Outcomes:

• Know how to manage stakeholder relationships
• Understand the different types and value of stakeholder relationships
• Know methods for measuring the impact of stakeholder engagement on organisational performance
• Understand the frameworks for stakeholder management

Managing conflict takes resilience. It requires the ability to evaluate complex information, make evidence based judgements and act professionally within the bounds of organisational and legal frameworks. This unit is designed to equip the learner with strategies to manage conflict with confidence, find creative solutions and make difficult decisions.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the types, causes, stages and impact of conflict within organisations
• Understand how to investigate conflict situations in the workplace
• Understand approaches, techniques, knowledge, skills and behaviours for managing conflict

Recruiting and selecting staff is a major challenge in a competitive market. Organisations are increasingly looking for innovative approaches to recruit individuals from the broadest talent pool. This unit has been designed to equip learners with an understanding of the factors which impact on recruitment. They will know how to develop plans and strategies for selecting staff, and identify approaches for retaining the best of the best.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the factors that impact on recruitment and selection
• Know how to plan for recruitment and selection
• Understand approaches to the recruitment and selection of a diverse and talented workforce
• Understand strategies for retaining talent

All organisations need a workforce with skills and behaviours that will better enable them to meet their objectives. In competitive environments, having the right people in the right place and at the right time continues to be a challenge. The aim of this unit is to enable managers to understand the rationale for workforce planning and know how to develop a workforce plan to meet organisational objectives.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the rationale for workforce planning
• Understand the principles and practices of workforce planning

The ability to manage projects is a vital skill for all managers. This unit focuses on the knowledge and skills required to manage projects successfully and overcome problems and challenges. It requires the learner to evaluate the methods and tools for planning tasks and activities, as well as knowing how to implement and manage project activities, build stakeholder relationships, manage resources and risk, monitor progress and report on outcomes.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the role of projects in delivering organisational strategy
• Understand the factors which contribute to effective project management
• Understand processes for initiating, planning and managing projects

Change is inevitable if an organisation is to maintain competitiveness and currency of practice. This unit has been designed to enable the learner to evaluate types and reasons for change within organisations and be able to select and apply theoretical models for its management. The purpose is not only to enable learners to develop the skills to manage change and achieve set objectives, but to do so in a professional manner with open and honest communication throughout the entire process.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the reasons for change in organisations
• Understand approaches to change management
• Understand how to initiate, plan and manage change in an organisation

The ability to translate organisational objectives into operational plans is an essential management skill. The unit opens with the importance of understanding the strategic direction of the organisation and how to contribute to the strategic planning process. It then focuses on the knowledge and skills required to create and deliver operational plans. This includes the need to set key performance indicators, monitor quality and outcomes against the plan, and know how to effectively report on findings.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the principles of operational planning in an organisation
• Know how to create an operational plan in line with organisational objectives
• Know how to manage and lead the delivery of an operational plan
• Know how to monitor and measure the outcome of operational planning

Inadequate resourcing can impact on the ability to achieve objectives; whilst being over resourced has financial implications. This unit has been designed to enable managers to understand and respond to the challenge of managing and monitoring resources. Learners will understand the importance of effective and efficient resource use, identify and plan resource requirements and know how to procure resources in line with regulatory requirements.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the importance of effective and efficient resource use in organisations
• Know how to plan resources to meet organisational objectives
• Know how to procure resources
• Know how to monitor resource use in organisations

Innovation has the power to transform organisations, teams and individual performance. When a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship thrives, new ideas and initiatives flourish. This unit has been designed to enable learners to identify opportunities for innovation in the workplace (which may be in the form of new working practices, processes, new products or services), analyse the rationale for developing initiatives and know how to turn ideas into reality.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the role of innovation within organisations
• Understand the process of managing innovation in an organisation

Business outcomes are optimised when risks are identified and managed effectively. This unit has been designed to equip learners with an understanding of the scope and purpose of business risk management. This includes an evaluation of the types of business risks, the governance and approaches for managing these effectively, and how risk management can be implemented successfully within organisations.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the scope of business risk management
• Understand the process for managing business risk

Quality may be defined as excellence, capacity, grade, worth or meeting customer expectations. Whilst the definition of quality can easily be found in a dictionary it is much harder to develop and maintain. This unit looks at the challenge of developing quality within organisations. It focuses on embedding continuous improvement into working practices. On successful achievement of this unit learners will understand the scope and purpose of quality management, approaches, tools and techniques for managing quality and how to judge its success.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the scope and purpose of quality management within organisations
• Understand approaches for managing quality
• Understand the application of continuous improvement within organisations
• Know how to judge the success of quality management

Financial management skills are essential for all managers regardless of whether there is a dedicated finance team within an organisation. Financial acumen enhances decision making skills, which in turn supports management of projects, tasks and functional areas. This unit has been designed to enable learners to understand how financial systems within organisations operate. Learners will evaluate the sources of finance for organisations, and understand the principles for setting and managing budgets in line with regulatory and organisational guidelines. This unit has been designed to enhance the learner’s confidence and credibility in financial management, which will translate into improved management skills.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand finance within organisations
• Know how to set and manage budgets

The ability to analyse and manage data and information can lead to increased competitiveness, innovation, productivity and customer satisfaction. However, with data and information volumes increasing at unprecedented levels, the ability to interpret, use, and harness ‘big data’ can become an organisational challenge. The aim of this unit is to equip learners with an understanding of the purpose and practices of interpreting, managing and presenting business data and information to inform decision making.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the use of data and information in decision making
• Be able to interpret data and information to support decision making
• Know how to present data and information used for decision making

Delivering an exceptional customer experience is a challenge which requires skill, commitment, and an in-depth understanding of customer needs. The aim of the unit is to develop managers understanding of their role and responsibilities in managing the customer experience. Learners will develop an understanding of the key features of a customer service culture and the customer journey, which if managed effectively will impact on an organisations success.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the principles of managing the customer experience
• Understand the customer journey in the context of an organisation
• Know how to manage the customer experience
• Know how to monitor and measure the customer experience

Marketing products and services is an activity which can be applied to a myriad of different business contexts. From utilising technology to create new processes and support services to improve the customer experience through to developing or adapting products or services to meet changing needs, the principles of marketing remain the same. The aim of this unit is for the learner to understand the role of marketing to achieve organisational objectives. The learner will analyse the marketing environment, understand how to market a product or service and know how to judge the success of marketing outcomes.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the role of marketing to support the achievement of organisational objectives
• Understand the factors in the organisation’s marketing environment which impact on the marketing of a product or service
• Know how to market a product or service

Research into approaches to management and leadership can lead to dynamic results. Innovation, product development, performance improvement, change, customer service excellence, strategy and problem solving are just some of the results. Without research business can stagnate. The aim of the unit is for the learner to conduct management research which will have an impact on individual and/or organisational practice. It is expected that learners will plan and manage a genuine project in the workplace or an academic enquiry relevant to an identified business need or challenge.

Learning Outcomes:

• Know how to plan a management project
• Be able to conduct a management project

Reflective practice is an essential management tool which supports the development of knowledge, skills and behaviours in the work place. By consciously analysing own performance, decision making, leadership and management skills (in different situational contexts); opportunities for on-going development can be identified. The aim of the unit is to equip learners with the understanding of the value of reflective practice, and how reflection can be used as the basis of a meaningful personal and professional development.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the value of reflective practice to inform personal and professional development
• Know how to apply reflective practice to inform personal and professional development

The aim of this unit is to develop managers’ understanding of ethical leadership and the impact of culture and values on leadership. Managers will examine leadership models and the concept of empowerment, with consideration of techniques and methods for leading others.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand leadership practice in an organisation
• Understand leadership styles
• Understand the impact of leadership within organisations