Reference no: EM132996314

BSBHRM602 Manage human resources strategic planning

Assessment 1 - Written Questions

1 Briefly describe the following human resource functions in no more than 100 words each:
a. Recruitment and selection
b. Creating human resources and recruitment strategy
c. Training and development
d. Professional development
e. Benefits and compensation
f. Ensuring legal compliance

2 State four examples of human resources best practices an organisation may employ. Your response should not exceed 100 words in total.

3 Identify and briefly describe at least five (5) legislative acts relevant to human resources management. Respond in no more than 300 words in total.

4 Identify and briefly describe the requirements under the Fair Work Regulations 2009 for a business, in about 200 words.

5 Briefly describe the National Employment Standards (NES), in no more than 100 words.

6 In the table below, describe each method of sourcing labour, in no more than 100 words each:

7 Complete the table below with at least two advantages and two disadvantages for each option for sourcing labour.

8 Briefly explain the impacts of technology on job roles in any four areas. Respond in no more than 100 words in total.

9 Briefly describe a strategic plan and its key requirements. Response in no more than 200 words in total.

Assessment 2 - Project 1 - Research planning requirements

Scenario

Background

Apex Work Skills Pty. Ltd. (AWS) is a private Registered Training Organisation that delivers nationally recognised training courses in construction, business management, accounting, children's services, aged care services, etc.

AWS has a student enrolment of 2000 and approximately 50 training staff employed on sessional or full time basis. The RTO has about 30 administration staff.

Traditionally AWS has delivered nationally recognised training courses in construction and business management.

The CEO of AWS wants the RTO to be known as the best in the country. AWS always employs suitably qualified and experienced trainers and assessors. In order to ensure compliance with trainer/assessor requirements, AWS has committed substantial funding towards the professional development of its trainers.

AWS has two student cohorts - international fee paying and domestic government funded. International students pay full course fees for their study, while AWS has been receiving government funding for delivering vocational training programs to domestic Australian students, based on the student's eligibility for receiving funding.

AW' strategic plans and business plans are based on the assumption that the RTO will continue to receive government funding and revenue from international students as a source of income.

The following is a summary of advice provided by an external HR consultant hired by AWS in January 2020.

Challenges faced by AWS

After analysing the data for your organisation and considering the existing culture and attitudes, the following challenges need to be considered:

• risk-aversion to trying new ways of working on the part of managers
• entrenched views on the ‘ideal' model of work being full-time, visible and predicable
• fear of a ‘floodgate effect' where enabling flexibility would create an uncontrollable flood of requests from ‘too many' staff
• a perception that flexibility should only be available as a reward for good performance
• leaders' capability to manage the team performance and model collaborative work
• views that some are privileged at the expense of others
• budget and investment in technology, equipment and training.

It is recommended that AWS should:
• introduce use of flexible work options across the board, particularly telecommuting and job sharing
• increase use of additional flexible options for those already using flexible start and finish times
• increase the representation of women in senior officer positions and in turn build the pipeline for senior executive service
• develop and adopt a formal policy or strategy for flexible working arrangements
• incorporate refresher induction and ongoing WHS training in the Induction policy
• develop a formal performance management system
• establish an annual fund and a system of allocation of funding to trainers and staff for professional development and industry currency activities

Your brief

You are the newly appointed HR and Administration Manager of AWS, and the CEO has asked you to lead and manage the establishment and management of human resources strategic planning, to ensure that the organisation has the structure and staff to meet current and foreseeable business and performance objectives.

Apart from the recommendations made by the HR consultant mentioned above, AWS also needs to consider the impact of COVID-19 on the business. AWS is required to quickly introduce online/ blended delivery options in response to the lockdown and social distancing requirements.

Online training and assessment also required fewer trainers than face-to-face training and trainers may be able to support a higher number of learners than would normally be in a classroom.

Reducing the number of staff will allow AWS to lower its expenditure, which is the need of the hour.

This means AWS will have plan to deliver remotely using suitable technology and fewer trainers. It also means AWS will have to re-work its workforce plan and reduce the number of staff by considering flexible work arrangements such as work from home or telework, job- sharing, work reduced hours, or work part-time.

You are to consider all of these factors in analysing, researching and preparing the research report.

Task

As the new Human Resources Manager, you have been assigned the task of leading the planning process to develop a human resources strategic plan for AWS in keeping with its planned future directions.

You've been asked to research and investigate the information provided to you and prepare a written report outlining the identified human resources strategic directions and objectives and targets for AWS.

This report should not exceed 500 words. The report should be professionally written, using suitable formal language and should be free of grammar and spelling errors.

The report must address the following:
a. analysis of the strategic plans and information about AWS provided to you in the scenario to determine human resource strategic direction, objectives and targets
b. environmental analyses to identify at least three emerging HR practices and trends that may impact on AWS's HR strategy
c. future labour needs, skill requirements and options for sourcing labour supply (at least two of each), based on the environmental analyses
d. new technology that can be used and its impact on job roles and job design at AWS (at least two)
e. recent and potential changes to industrial and legal requirements that may impact on AWS (at least one)

Assessment 3 - Project 2 - Develop human resources strategic plan

Scenario

This is a continuation of the scenario in Assessment Task 2. The CEO has asked you facilitate a session with management team to consult them about, and document, their HR preferences, philosophies, values and policies.

Currently AWS has a student enrolment of 2,000 and approximately 50 training staff employed on sessional or full time basis, and 30 administration staff.

Over the next two years, the student numbers are expected to reduce due to the impact of COVID-19 on international student movement, and are expected to be around 1,200.
Part A: Role play - Establish understanding of HR preferences, philosophies, values and policies

You must conduct a meeting with the management team to identify immediate and future staffing needs to reduce turnover and cost per hire, as well as for succession planning.

During the meeting, you must:
• introduce the purpose of the meeting to the team
• seek the management team's inputs on their HR preferences, such as:
o numbers of staff for various roles
o number of women in various positions
o working hours and locations
o job roles and responsibilities
o knowledge and skills required
• discuss and agree on human resources philosophies and values that you will need to incorporate in your strategic plan
• make comprehensive notes of the discussion

This is a role play. You must play the role of the HR and Administration Manager. Your assessor will organise volunteers from your class to play the roles of four members of the management team. The volunteers will be given cue cards to guide their participation in the task.

In case the assessment is to be conducted online, you will need to ensure access to:
• a computer that has Internet access
• Online video conferencing software such as Zoom or Skype
• note pad and pen

Your assessor will organise a time and place for the role play, and during the role play, they will observe you, and record and assess your performance using the Role Play Observation Checklist below.

Prior to the assessment, read the Role Play Observation Checklist to identify the standard of performance required of you.

Part B: Develop strategic objectives and targets for human resource services Scenario
Having completed the necessary research and consultation, your next step is to develop the human resources strategic objectives and targets for the next 18 - 24 months, based on the agreed goals, and a strategic plan.

The broad human resources goals, as indicated in the scenario given in Assessment Task 1, are as follows:

• facilitate a flexible workforce to promote talent retention
• support the development of AWS as a learning organisation that is responsive to individual and organisational needs, achieve organisational goals and promote job satisfaction and retention
• provide high quality human resource services to the organisation
• ensure that AWS fulfils its statutory and audit requirements
• monitor organisational and individual performance
• identify, promote and implement improved policies and practices that demonstrate social, environmental and economic responsibility

Task

Based on the information in the scenario above, as well as the report you have prepared in Assessment 2, identify strategic goals, objectives, and targets, as follows:

• select any three strategic goals (3) goals (based on your research report and the goals discussed and agreed during the meeting)
• for each goal develop at least two (2) objectives, ensuring they align with the organisation's vision and strategy
• set targets for each objective for year 1 and year 2
• note your goals, objectives and targets in the following format (one example has been given to you at the end of this task)

Part C: Conduct cost-benefit analysis of options for the provision of human resource services

Scenario

AWS requires two IT specialists to facilitate the remote working team and online training and assessment delivery in the next six months.

You've been asked to conduct cost benefit analyses for the following options for the provision of human resource services:
• Hiring employees
• Engaging services of a consultant or contractor

You may use the following research provided to you in Appendix A to identify types of costs and benefits.

You are to research and identify at least two costs and two benefits of the two identified options.

Task

For each option:

• research and identify two types of costs such as:
o Direct costs (e.g., costs of HR staff salary)
o Indirect costs (e.g. overheads, utilities, etc.)
o Costs associated with managing risks specific to opportunity (e.g. regulatory risk cost, insurance, business risk cost, etc.)

• research and identify two potential benefits (financial returns as well as non-financial benefits).

Then, make an assessment of the feasibility of each option, considering the type of positions to be filled, the duration of the employment and the nature of work.

Part D - Identify appropriate technology and systems to support agreed human resource programs and practices

Scenario

AWS has kept a paper-based file for each employee with personal information, benefits forms, etc. This means that every two weeks the HR and Accounts officers spend several hours gathering payroll information, such as regular hours, overtime hours, vacation time and sick time that had been taken, etc. to process payroll.

The CEO has asked you to investigate the possibility automating some of these tasks. Even with a small number of employees, it might be easier for them to use some type of a human resource information system (HRIS). She has asked you, research and identify how technology and systems can support the HR strategic plan.

Task

1. Research the following:
• What is a HR software solution? (40-50 words)
• What are the three main types of HR software solutions?
• Which type of solution is best suitable for AWS' situation?
• Provide three reasons why AWS should explore the option of purchasing an HRIS

2. Prepare a research report covering the information requested above, in no more than 500 words.

Part E - Develop the strategic human resource plan and obtain senior management support for the plan

The research report you have prepared in Assessment Task 2, outlining the identified human resources strategic directions; objectives and targets for AWS, and the detailed research you have conducted in Assessment Task 3 Parts A - D will help you develop and document the human resources strategic plan.

Complete the steps below.

1. Develop and write a human resources strategic plan for the AWS that demonstrates a clear alignment with the broader business objectives of AWS.

Use the Human Resources Strategic Plan Template in Appendix C to prepare your plan.

Include the outcomes of the research and documentation you have completed in Assessment 2 and Assessment 3, Parts A - D, in the strategy.

The plan should include the following:

a. A summary of the situation analysis, including economic conditions, political/legislative atmosphere, competitive climate, market conditions and trends in technology.
b. An internal analysis that centres on organisation culture, employee competencies and workforce composition.
c. Future demand for human resources considering the organisation's objectives, priorities, timeframes and budgets.
d. Forecast of supply based on labour market characteristics such as government regulations, pandemic lockdowns and options for the sourcing of labour, such as offshore employees.
e. Strategic goals, objectives and targets for human resources (as identified in Part B)
f. Recommendation of a recruitment strategy for IT staff (hiring or contracting) based on feasibility
g. Appropriate technology and systems to support agreed human resource programs and practices, such as using a human resource software solution.
h. Implementation plan (using the template in Appendix D) for the four objectives, including at least two of each of the following for every objective:
o performance indicators
o implementation strategies or actions to be taken
o resources required to implement
o personnel responsible
o monitoring activities
i. A budget for staff training programs, using the template in Appendix E, identifying costs based on topics for training, number of sessions, and number of participants.
j. A reference list identifying your research sources

2. Develop a risk management plan for the human resources strategy that demonstrates a clear alignment with the broader business objectives of AWS. You must use the template provided in Appendix F, and identify one legal, one WHS and one technology related risk.

3. Write a covering email to the CEO, attaching the human resources strategic plan and the risk management plan and seeking their approval for implementation of the plan.

In your email, you must briefly summarise the attachments you are submitting to the CEO. Your email should be written in an appropriate formal style using correct spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Assessment 4 - Project 3 - Implement human resources strategic plan

Part A: Role Play - Work with others to implement the plan Scenario
This is a continuation of the scenario in Assessment Task 3.

The CEO has approved the strategic HR plan, and has given you approval to go ahead with its implementation.

As a first step, you are to present the approved plan to the management team. You are also to explain the roles and responsibilities of those involved in implementing the strategic HR plan about the expected outcomes of the implementation plan, the activities to be undertaken and the time frame for implementation.

Task

1. Prepare a PowerPoint presentation of the key points of the strategic HR plan and the implementation plan, to present to the management team at AWS.

You may prepare and use no more than 10 PowerPoint presentation slides during the presentation.

2. Make your presentation to the staff members. The presentation must be no longer than 15 minutes.

During the presentation, you must:
• use the PowerPoint slides you have prepared to explain the key features of the strategic HR plan, such as the background, the benefits to the company, etc.
• explain the implementation plan to those involved in implementing the plan, and the expected outcomes, monitoring methods, etc.
• allocate responsibilities to staff for activities to be undertaken
• encourage the participation and support of the staff
• speak clearly and concisely
• respond to questions asked by the staff members
• play a lead role in consulting and negotiating the buy-in of the staff
• use appropriate non-verbal communication
• participate in discussions using listening and questioning skills to ask the staff members for their opinions or clarify or confirm your understanding.

This is a role play. You must play the role of the HR Manager. Your assessor will organise volunteers to play the roles of the management team members, who will be your audience.

Prior to the assessment, read the Role Play Observation Checklist to identify the standard of performance expected of you in this task.

Part B: Monitor, review and adapt the plan Scenario
You must assume that it is now three months since you implemented the strategic HR plan at AWS, and time for the quarterly review.

Assume that the three goals you had selected were:
• facilitate a flexible workforce to promote talent retention
• support the development of AWS as a learning organisation that is responsive to individual and organisational needs, achieve organisational goals and promote job satisfaction and retention
• monitor organisational and individual performance

One of the monitoring methods you had selected was an employee satisfaction survey, which you have conducted with 30 employees of AWS, comprising trainers and some administration staff.

Task

1. You are required to analyse the survey results and prepare an email, reporting the performance to the CEO of the company. You should also research and finalise six (6) training or support activities which will support the staff in working effectively from home, managing time and tasks efficiently, improving productivity and maintaining a work-life balance.

You must include the following in the email:

a. the details of the survey
b. at least two possible reasons for results
c. the conclusions and insights that can be gathered from the staff results
d. your recommendations for six training and support sessions and staff social activities, to help them achieve the desired HR performance outcomes

Your email should be no longer than 400 words and should be written using correct spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Submit your email to the CEO (your assessor) at an email address specified by your assessor.

2. The CEO has written to you thanking you for the report and accepted your recommendations. Now he/she has asked you to research and plan opportunities for the flexible team to integrate with other aspects of the organisation

You are to use the Flexible Work Team Integration Activity Plan Template in Appendix G to create your plan.

Part C: Evaluate and review performance of plan against objectives Scenario
It is now one year since you implemented the strategic HR plan at AWS.

The staff satisfaction survey was conducted once again with 30 employees of AWS, and the quantitative results are recorded below.

Qualitative evaluation was also conducted at various points to gather feedback on the organisational HR training and development program and has yielded the following results:
• During the last 12 months:
o 100% of employees had put a meaningful development plan in place
o Employees continued to engage in career conversations with their managers
o There has been a positive difference to attitudes towards flexible working arrangements.
o There has been a notable improvement in staff morale.
o Staff said they are experiencing greater opportunities for career progression within the organisation.
o Staff reported they worked better as a team following over the last 12 months.
o Staff reported they felt a greater sense of staff worth and belonging.

Task

Study the given information given in the scenario about the performance of the strategic HR plan and evaluate it against the agreed outcomes.

Examine the findings and identify aspects of the program that could have been done better. Then, prepare the lessons learnt report for the management about the first mentoring program implemented by AWS.

In your report, you must provide:
• a brief description of the strategic HR plan and its expected outcomes
• an assessment of whether the outcomes of the plan were met, or not really met
• at least four aspects of the strategic HR plan that worked well
• at least four aspects of the strategic HR plan that could be improved in future strategic HR plans

Your report should be no longer than 400 words and should be written using correct spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Attachment:- Manage human resources strategic planning.rar