CMI- Unit- 302: The ability to manage teams, which are able to communicate effectively and overcome barriers to achievement, is a critical skill for any manager: Managing a Team to Achieve Results, Assignment, UOL, UK

The ability to manage teams, which are able to communicate effectively and overcome barriers to achievement, is a critical skill for any manager.  High performing, cohesive teams are created in an environment where there is a collective understanding of values, goals and objectives. This assessment booklet has been developed to enable managers to evidence their understanding of the nature of teams in the workplace and how these can be managed to achieve results.

TASK 1: Understanding the role and purpose of teams

The ability to understand the role and purpose of teams is essential if they are to be managed effectively.

» TASK 1a

In your own words, define the purpose of teams within organisations.

(Refer to AC1.1 Define the purpose of teams and the Indicative Content for this AC)

» TASK 1b

Within organisations it is likely there will be more than one type of team.  Using the table below, give an explanation of each type of team listed.

(Refer to AC1.2 Explain types of teams in an organisation and the Indicative Content for this AC)

» TASK 1c

Using a recognised theory summarise the roles in a team.

(Refer to AC1.3 Summarise the roles in a team using a recognised theory and the indicative content for this AC)

» TASK 1d

Teams are made up of individuals with different characteristics (such as personality, knowledge, skills) and have different levels of experience.

 In your own words, explain how individual members of a team can affect team dynamics.

 (Refer to AC1.4 Explain how members of a team affect team dynamics and the Indicative Content for this AC)

»  TASK 1e

Certain business activities may be carried out by teams or may be achieved through lone working.

Using well-chosen examples, write an account which identifies the advantages and disadvantages of team working and lone working.

(Refer to AC1.5 Identify the advantages and disadvantages of team working and lone working and the Indicative Content for this AC)

TASK 2: Characteristics of a high performing team

Recognising the characteristics and behaviours of a high performing team is an essential management skill.

»  TASK 2a

Developing a high performing team is the aim of all managers.  

Outline FIVE (5) characteristics of high performing teams in the table below.

(Refer to AC2.1 Outline the characteristics of a high performing team and the Indicative Content for this AC)

»  TASK 2b

Team success is derived from the positive behaviours of individual team members.  

Discuss the key behaviours which can be observed in a high performing team. 

(Refer to AC2.2 Discuss behaviours which can be observed in a high performing team and the Indicative Content for this AC)

Task 3: Leading, communicating with and motivating a high performing team

Knowing how to lead, communicate with and motivate high performing teams is an essential management skill. The aim of this task is to equip managers with an understanding of how to lead, communicate with and motivate a high performing team.

SCENARIO

You have successfully achieved a new management position leading a small team. Your team consists of remote and on-site members.  The team is well established and colleagues know each other well.  The team has a good track record. Having met the team, you need to determine your own approach to leadership and management.

» TASK 3a

Identify the advantages and disadvantages of TWO (2) leadership styles that can be used to manage a high performing team.

 (Refer to AC3.1 Identify advantages and disadvantages of leadership styles that can be used to manage a high performing team and the Indicative Content for this AC)

»  TASK 3b

It is essential to use the most appropriate form of communication when sharing information with remote and on-site teams.

Complete the table below and assess the methods you would use to communicate with the team’s remote and on-site members, giving reasons for their selection.

(Refer to AC3.2 Assess communication methods used for different types of teams and the Indicative Content for this AC)

»  TASK 3c

Explain FOUR (4) ways of motivating a team to achieve results.

 (Refer to AC3.3 Explain how to motivate a team to achieve results and the Indicative Content for this AC)

TASK 4: Responding to challenges

All teams will experience challenges. A key role of the manager is to be able to recognise, respond proactively and overcome challenges.

»  TASK 4a

Responding to challenges when managing a team proactively takes resilience and great skills.

 The key challenges faced by most managers during their career include resistance to change, conflict between team members, unconscious bias and the challenge of being a member of more than one team.

Complete the table below by explaining:

•  the challenges of managing a team
• how you would respond to managing challenges proactively

(Refer to AC4.1 Explain the challenges of managing a team; AC4.2 Explain how to respond to challenges proactively and the Indicative Content for this AC)

»  TASK 4b

A team member you manage has a poor record of attendance. In your own words, outline approaches you would use to manage their absence.

(Refer to AC4.3 Outline approaches to absence management and the Indicative Content for this AC)

Task 5: Managing the performance of a team

Managing the performance of the team requires all its members to work to a shared purpose, a fair allocation of work, monitoring of team performance and providing feedback to individuals and teams to maintain performance levels. The aim of this task is to identify how best teams can be managed to achieve results.

» TASK 5a

Outline TWO (2) approaches you would use to ensure team members work to a shared purpose.

(Refer to AC5.1 Outline approaches to ensure team members work to a shared purpose and the Indicative Content for this AC)

»  TASK 5b

Explain how you would allocate work to team members to achieve outcomes.

(Refer to AC5.2 Explain how to allocate work to team members and the Indicative Content for this AC)

»   TASK 5c

Identify THREE (3) methods you would use to monitor team performance.

(Refer to AC5.3 Identify methods of monitoring team performance and the Indicative Content for this AC)

» TASK 5d

Explain how you would provide feedback on performance to team members individually and collectively as a team.

 (Refer to AC5.4 Explain how to provide feedback on individual and team performance and the Indicative Content for this AC)