Course Title: Manage team effectiveness

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2024

Course Code: BUSM6555C

Course Title: Manage team effectiveness

Important Information:

See Canvas

School: 525T Business & Enterprise

Campus: Tullamarine - Essendon Edu Acd

Program: C5407 - Diploma of Leadership and Management

Course Contact: Jeremy Glover

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 1485

Course Contact Email: jeremy.glover@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 60

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to lead teams in the workplace and to actively engage with the management of the organisation.

The unit applies to individuals working at a managerial level who lead and build a positive culture within their work teams. At this level, work will normally be carried out using complex and diverse methods and procedures requiring the exercise of considerable discretion and judgement. It will also involve using a range of problem solving and decision-making strategies.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

BSBTWK502 Manage team effectiveness

Element:

1. Establish team performance plan

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify team purpose, roles, and responsibilities according to organisational and task objectives

1.2 Develop performance plans with expected outcomes, key performance indicators (KPIs) and goals for work team

1.3 Support team members in meeting expected performance outcomes

Element:

2. Develop and facilitate team cohesion

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Develop strategies for facilitating team member input into planning, decision making and operational aspects of team tasks

2.2 Develop or modify policies and procedures for promoting team member accountability for personal work and team tasks

2.3 Provide feedback to team members on team effort and contributions

2.4 Develop processes for identifying and addressing issues, concerns and problems identified by team members

Element:

3. Facilitate teamwork

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Encourage team members to participate in and to take responsibility for team activities

3.2 Support the team in identifying and resolving work performance problems

3.3 Promote work team collaboration through individual behaviour

Element:

4. Liaise with stakeholders

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Establish and maintain open communication processes with relevant stakeholders

4.2 Communicate information from line management to the team

4.3 Communicate and follow-up unresolved issues, concerns and problems raised by team members with line management

4.4 Address unresolved issues, concerns and problems raised by stakeholders

Learning Outcomes


This course is structured to provide students with the optimum learning experience in order to demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to lead teams in the workplace and to actively engage with the management of the organisation.


Details of Learning Activities

A range of learning activities are provided in this course. These include collaborative classroom based activities and online self-paced activities.

Classroom: The collaborative classroom based activities will include group discussion, group problem solving activities and opportunities to practice your skills in a simulated workplace environment. We expect you to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities.

Pre-Class: This is online, by logging on to your Canvas course, and includes required pre-class reading and activities. Other self-paced activities will be delivered through various technology platforms. These may include your contribution to discussion threads, reflective journals, quizzes and interactive sessions.

Sessions: There are two face-to-face classroom sessions for this unit each week which includes tutorials and workshops. There are additional activities to support learning and research.


Teaching Schedule

The courses in this cluster are: BSBTWK502 Manage Team Effectiveness, BSBLDR523 Lead and Manage Effective Workplace Relationships & BSBCMM511 Communicate with Influence

The nominal hours associated with this are a guide only and represent the total teaching time and student effort required to successfully complete the course.  This may include not only scheduled classes but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

The Teaching Schedule for this course is as follows: 

Week / Topic 

Topic details  

Assessment 

WEEK 1 

 Working in Teams  

This week we will explore the fundamentals of working in teams. We explore how teamwork can lead to better decisions, products, or services. We also introduce type of teams and characteristics of an effective team to work towards objectives.  
  •  

WEEK 2

Team Stages and Roles

Exploring the stages of team formation, development, and effectiveness, this week we will also discuss several important factors which impact group dynamics, such as group member power, roles, and coalitions. 

  

WEEK 3 

Team Participation, Collaboration  

 

This week we will discuss how to cultivate optimum team participation through individual behaviour and how collaborating in the workplace enables businesses to finish important projects and meet crucial deadlines efficiently. We discuss the importance of developing strategies to help teams participate in planning and decisions. 
  •  

WEEK 4

 Facilitate Team Communication

This week we will explain how team collaboration is closely connected to team communication. In other words, poor collaboration can create barriers to effective communication and vice-versa. We will also discuss the efforts to establish good open communication in teams following procedures, and how it is imperative for the team leader to create a receptive ‘teamwork’ setting. 

 Assessment 1 Due

WEEK 5 

Negotiate to achieve agreed outcomes   

 

 

This week we identify objectives of negotiation including potential issues and problems. We discuss how communication is important in establishing common ground, supporting arguments and confirming outcomes of negotiations. 

 

 

 

WEEK 6

Group Decision Making

 

 

We will explain how group decision-making is a type of participatory process in which multiple individuals act collectively, analyse problems or situations, consider and evaluate alternative courses of action, and select from among the alternatives a solution. 

 

 

 

WEEK 7 

Managing Conflicts in Teams 

 

 This week we will explain how people can have different viewpoints and, under the right set of circumstances, those differences escalate to conflict. We also discuss how you handle that conflict through communication to determine whether it works to the team's advantage, or contributes to its demise.
  •  

WEEK 8

Team Performance Plans

 

 

This week we will discuss how performance planning is used to provide a structured approach to the attainment of the desired level of performance for both individuals and teams 

 

 

 

 

WEEK 9 

Team Engagement and Key Performance Indicators  

 

 This week we will explain how to use a measurement that demonstrates how effectively a company is achieving its key business objectives. We also discuss how organisations use KPI metrics to evaluate their success in reaching targets.
  •  

WEEK10

Constructive Feedback

This week we will discuss how giving and receiving feedback can be a delicate process, and explain how there's no doubting its value in helping to identify issues and solve them. We will also explain how team leaders need to manage feedback in a positive way so that it can do what it's intended to do: Help improve and grow  the team and the organisation

 

WEEK 11

Leadership Skills & Leadership Styles

This week we will discuss how Leadership skills can be learned, and how leadership development benefits individuals and organisations. We will also discuss the varying perspectives and models that surround the leadership development field, as well as the importance of leadership development 

Assessment 2 Due

WEEK 12

Organisational Stakeholders

This week we will focus on the who the stakeholders are and how they support the organisation and accept all the business practices regarding the action that business takes, which can include corporate governance, strategic management, corporate social responsibility. We also analyse the most common types of stakeholders and look at the unique need that each of them typically has. The goal is to put you in the shoes of each type of stakeholder and see things from their point of view. 

 

WEEK 13 

Organisational Policies & Procedures

This week we will explain how policies and procedures are designed to influence and determine all major decisions and actions, and all activities take place within the boundaries set by them.  We will also explain how procedures are the specific methods employed to express policies in action in day-to-day operations of the organisation. 

 

WEEK 14 

Participate in and lead meetings and presentations 

 

We will also discuss meetings and presentations, including setting objectives, scheduling meetings, preparing materials and conducting meetings and presentations. 

We also discuss communication of presentations, including tone, style, and providing the opportunity for the audience to ask questions. 

 

 

WEEK 15 

 

This week we complete Assessment Task 3 role-plays in class 

Assessment 3 Due 

 

 

WEEK 16

This week is reserved for resubmissions and extensions

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

All teaching and learning materials are available on Canvas.

 


Overview of Assessment

In order to achieve competency in this unit, you must provide:

Performance Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to:

  • manage the effectiveness of at least one work team.

In the course of the above, the candidate must:

  • provide feedback to encourage, value and reward others
  • model desired behaviour and practices
  • encourage and foster shared understanding of purpose, roles and responsibilities
  • support team to meet expected performance outcomes including providing formal and informal learning opportunities as needed
  • develop performance plans with key performance indicators (KPIs), outputs and goals for individuals or the team which incorporate input from stakeholders
  • communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders about team performance plans and team performance
  • evaluate and take necessary corrective action regarding unresolved issues, concerns and problems raised by internal or external stakeholders.

Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of:

  • impacts of group dynamics on team performance
  • methods of establishing team activities including communication processes
  • strategies that can support team cohesion, participation and performance
  • strategies for gaining consensus
  • issue resolution strategies.

Assessment Conditions

Skills in this unit must be demonstrated in a workplace or simulated environment where the conditions are typical of those in a working environment in this industry.

This includes access to:

  • workplace documents relevant to team task objectives.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Feedback

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions.  You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed. Finally, you can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.

You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course.


Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1

For this task,

you are required to prepare for a meeting with your team – the Business Development Specialist and the Marketing Strategist.

Your assessor will choose a class member/colleague to take on the role of one of your team members. They will then take the role of the other team member.

Task Instructions

  • Based on the phone message, you are to run the meeting with your team (your classmate and your assessor).
  • Bring your Operational Plan with you and a copy of the Team Performance Plan template.

Task Instructions

  • Based on the email, you are to review each section of the Team Performance Plan Template and use your notes and thoughts to complete it for both Kelly and Adrian. Remember that these are work documents, and your writing should be clear and provide adequate detail.
  • When you have finished, save the file as Team Performance Plan 20XX (XX being the current year.) You can combine both reports into one document.
  • You will also need to set up a schedule of monthly meetings for the next 12 months to support the team’s Operational Plan. You can do this in a table in a Word document. You can pick the day and time of the meeting. Your first meeting should start four weeks after the date of your initial meeting. You will also need to schedule a mid-cycle meeting in June and an end-of-cycle meeting in December.
  • Save this document as Marketing Team Meeting Schedule 20XX (XX being the current year).
  • You also need to identify two professional development opportunities that you and your team can attend together. Use the internet to research appropriate activities and make sure you write down the name, date and where the activity is held. The professional development activity should be related to the course or qualification you are completing.
  • Send your completed plan to your team members via email. Your email should use the organisation’s TM001 Email Template (accessible via the CBSA website). The email must:
  • specify who the email is to
  • specify who the email is from
  • specify the date and time you sent the email
  • specify the subject
  • specify the attachments of the Team Performance Plan 20XX and the Marketing Team Meeting Schedule 20XX
  • contain a body part of the email detailing why you are sending this email including:
  • a request for feedback on the team performance plan
  • an outline of the actions you intend to take to address the concerns that were raised during the meeting
  • a brief overview of training and development activities that you want to put in place over the next 12 months (to address training needs identified in the team performance plan). you must include the details of the two actual activities you identified for the team
  • complete the email footer specifying the job position you are role-playing.

 

Assessment Task 2

Task Instructions

Based on the email, you are to conduct a performance management meeting with Kelly. For the purpose of this task, an assessor will play the role of Kelly.

You have sent an email to Kelly, and she has replied to your message that she is attending the meeting

Task Instructions

Based on the email, you are to complete the following tasks:

  1. Develop a Performance Management Policy and Procedure using the TM005 Policy & Procedures Template accessible via the CBSA website. The policy and procedure must include:
  • the purpose of the policy
  • the scope (who it applies to)
  • a description about the importance of a high-performing work team to an organisation
  • a description of the impact of poor performance on the team and organisation
  • CBSA’s commitment to supporting their staff (include statements about assisting with counselling and professional development opportunities)
  • the performance management process, which includes:
  • when formal reviews will be held
  • examples of poor performance that might encourage management to call staff into a meeting (outside of the formal review)
  • how long staff have to correct their performance (you can choose this)
  • what happens if staff do not address performance issues in the time provided (this will invoke a written warning)
  • the monitoring and review process (management will monitor and call a review meeting after the designated timeframe has passed)
  • record-keeping (all communications with the staff member are recorded in writing).
  1. Develop an email to Gavin Stead (using the organisation’s email template) asking for a review and approval of the new policy and procedure you have developed. The email must:
  • specify who the email is to
  • specify who the email is from
  • specify the date and time you sent the email
  • specify the subject
  • specify the attachment of the Performance Management Policy and Procedure
  • contain a body part of the email detailing why you are sending this email including that you have developed the policy and procedure as requested and that you have submitted it for review and approval.
  • complete the email footer specifying the job position you are role-playing

Task Instructions

Based on the email, you are to complete the following tasks:

  1. Use the internet to research reward and recognition schemes. Find three that you think would be good to reward the team and ensure that the team continue to work well in future. Then send an email to your assessor (in the role of the Managing Director) that describes the three schemes you found. Recommend your preferred option and explain why you think it is the best.

The email must use the organisation email template and:

  • specify who the email is to
  • specify who the email is from
  • specify the date and time you sent the email
  • specify the subject
  • contain a body part of the email detailing why you are sending this email including describing the three schemes you found, and which one you would recommend.
  • complete the email footer specifying the job position you are role-playing.
  1. Assume now that your recommendation has been approved by the Managing Director. As this is the case, you have decided to send a personal email to your team that thanks them for their hard work over the past year and explain the reward they will receive based on their performance.

The email must use the organisation email template and:

  • specify who the email is to
  • specify who the email is from
  • specify the date and time you sent the email
  • specify the subject
  • contain a body part of the email detailing why you are sending this email including thanking them for their hard work over the past year and explaining the reward they will receive based on their performance.
  • complete the email footer specifying the job position you are role-playing.

Assessment Task 3

Task summary

This is an open book written assessment.

There are 13 (thirteen) questions and some questions have sub-parts.

You must answer all questions and their parts correctly to achieve a satisfactory outcome for this task.

 


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix that maps all the assessments is available on Canvas.

Other Information

Submission Requirements

You should:

• Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date via Canvas
• Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (hard copy and soft copy) 
• When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use the Assessment task document that includes a declaration and statement of authorship. 
• Each page of your assessment should include a footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers

Late Submission Procedures

You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance based assessment is completed by the due dates.

Extension of Time

If you are prevented from submitting an assessment item on time by circumstances outside your control, you may apply in advance to your teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days.

More information: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work Form to use is found in the section "How to apply."

Special Consideration

Where more than seven days is needed, you must apply for Special Consideration. Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination.

More information: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/special-consideration

Resubmission (VE Programs)

If you are found to be Not Yet Competent in a course assessment task (or you do not submit the assessment tasks/attend the assessment) you will be allowed one resubmission. Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission in Canvas.

If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.

Adjustments to Assessment

In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment.

More information: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/adjustments-to-assessment

Marking Guide (Competency)

You must demonstrate that you have all the required skills/knowledge/elements in the unit of competency you are studying. You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you about your progress and how well you are performing.

· CA Competency Achieved 
· NYC Not Yet Competent
· DNS Did Not Submit for assessment

Course Overview: Access Course Overview