Reference no: EM132354703

Assessment Task: Project 1

TASK SUMMARY
For this task you are required to develop an organisation development plan and a communication and education plan for a fictional organisation.

RESOURCES AND EQUIPMENT REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THIS TASK
• Access to textbooks and other learning materials.
• Computer and Microsoft Office.
• Access to the Internet for research.
• Supporting document - Boutique Build Strategic Plan (to be provided by assessor).
• Printer.
• Meeting space.
• Role-play participants (and at least 2 other students).

WHEN AND WHERE SHOULD THE TASK BE COMPLETED?
• This task may be done in your own time as homework or you may be given time to do this task in class (where applicable).
• Your assessor will provide you with the due date for this assessment.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE SUBMITTED?
• Completed organisation development plan.
• Completed communication and education plan.

Instructions
Read the background information and complete Part A, B and C of this assessment task.

Background information
Boutique Build Australia was established in 2013 and is a boutique building company based in Sydney that specialises in the design and build of high-quality designer homes for the Sydney metropolitan and surrounding areas. The company has been operational for four years and employs approximately 50 staff including the CEO, Operations Manager, Human Resources Manager, Human Resources Officer, Marketing and Sales Manager, Customer Service Team Leaders (2), Customer Service Officers (6), Site Managers (3) and a large team of tradespersons some of whom are employed and some of whom are contractors.

The company is in a period of expansion and is about to expand into the Brisbane and Sunshine Coast area, as well as the environmentally friendly build market.

One of the company's strategic objectives as documented in its strategic plan is to attract, engage and develop highly trained, competent and enthusiastic staff

As the company is in a period of growth, this objective is also considered to be of key importance not only in relation to the existing workforce, but for new staff that need to be recruited. However, there are a number of factors currently impacting on the operations of the company that have been identified that may impact on the ability of the company to achieve its objective in regard to staffing as follows:
Development of leadership capability

Strong, competent operational leadership is a critical element in any success the company might achieve in relation to delivering on its overall strategic purpose and achieving its vision. The company has had difficulty in attracting suitable candidates to operational positions from outside sources. In the short to medium term, it is felt that this means that a priority must be given to the growth of leaders from within the workforce of the company.

Highly competitive employment market
The demand for construction workers means that the employment market is very competitive. This presents a problem for the company in that workers have a greater range of choice of employers. This needs to be addressed in order to attract workers to the company.

Gender balance
Like many building companies, the company is perceived from the outside as male dominated. This perception causes particular difficulties in attracting large pools of high calibre female applicants. Strategies for the positive portrayal of the organisation in relation to female employment need to be developed.

Skilled Labour Shortages
Australia is unable to produce enough skilled staff or professionals who have the ability and knowledge to handle the job. Almost one third of construction-related occupations are in shortage, including bricklayers, stonemasons, solid plasterers, roof tillers and wall and floor tillers.

Level of education in the workforce
The level of education and age of the workforce continues to be a major concern for the construction industry. The exodus of skilled employees reaching the end of their working life compared to the lower numbers entering the industry via the apprenticeship training system is also of major concern.

In response to the above, the CEO has tasked you in the role of the Human Resources Manager to develop an organisation development plan to be implemented over the next 12 months to ensure current capability of the company, as well as build future capability.

PART A - DEVELOP AN ORGNANISATION PLAN

For this assessment task, you are required to prepare and develop an organisation development plan for Boutique Build Australia.

1. Review the background information and Boutique Build's strategic plan.

2. Research sources of information on the Australian construction industry workforce to analyse the key trends and challenges that may impact Boutique Build Australia.

3. Develop an organisation development plan. Develop your own template or use one that you are familiar with. As a minimum, your development plan must include the following:
• Introduction - Provide an introduction to the organisational development plan
• Context - Briefly describe issues outlined in the background information provided as well as from your own research conducted on the construction workforce.
• Areas of organisational development - for each area list the actions, responsibility, budget implications, performance indicators and target dates.

4. Submit your organisation development plan. Your assessor will advise as to whether you must email them your completed assessment, submit the file on a USB drive or hand in a hard copy.

PART B - CONSULT ON AND FINALISE ORGNAISATIONAL PLAN

The culture within the company is generally positive with a good team spirit amongst staff based at head office. There is probably less loyalty to the company amongst the trade's staff with some of them being contractors.

Many of the senior managers are those who have grown into the positions from the outset of the business. They are doers but employee feedback has indicated that many of the managers don't have sufficient leadership skills to guide the workforce.

Some feedback from staff indicates they would like the opportunity to input more into business- decision making.
On the whole, there is a willingness to embrace organisational change to ensure current and future objectives of the business are met.

For this task, you are required to participate in a consultative meeting with your 2 fellow students to discuss the organisation development plan that you developed based on your research and analysis. Your 2 fellow students will play the role of the managers of Boutique Build Australia.

1. Review the background information.

2. Participate in the consultative meeting with your 2 fellow students.
• Provide a printed copy of your organisation development plan.
• Discuss the organisation development plan that you have developed. The discussion should focus on the timing of each organisation development strategy/activity as well as staff who will take on the key roles in the development process as set out in your plan.
• Discuss the research that you have conducted on best practice change management
strategies and how you believe this this should inform the implementation of the organisation development activities.
• Discuss the organisation's culture and how it may affect organisation development and explain how these barriers could be addressed when planning and implementing the organisation development plan.
• Throughout the meeting, your assessor will discuss the organisational culture at Boutique Build Australia and their readiness to embrace organisation development activities.
3. At the end of the meeting your assessor will provide you with feedback and suggestions for your organisation development plan.
• You will be assessed on your ability to demonstrate effective communication skills, explain key ideas and concepts, respond to questions and use active listening techniques.
• Your assessor will advise you of the date and time of this meeting.

PART C - DEVELOP A COMMUNCIATION AND EDUCATION PLAN

For this task, you are required to develop a communication and education plan to maximise support for the organisation development activities outlined in your plan.

1. Reflect on the feedback provided to you by your assessor during your meeting and the research that you conducted on change management techniques in Part A of this assessment task.

2. Develop a communication and education plan for Boutique Build for the upcoming 12 months. Develop your own template or use one that you are familiar with.
Your plan must set out the process and timing of how the company's staff will be informed about the activities as documented in the organisation development plan.

3. Submit your communication and education plan. Your assessor will advise as to whether you must email them your completed assessment, submit the file on a USB drive or hand in a hard copy.

Attachment:- Contribute to organisation development.rar