Managing People (Coursework Sample)

Title: Manage people performance
Learner’s name
Affiliated Institute
Activity 1
Q1.
When allocating work to the staff, consultation with the relevant groups is paramount. The consultation of the groups should be aimed at identifying the potentials of each group, in terms of the type and amount of work they can complete within the specified duration. When the manager consults with the relevant groups he/she get a better understanding of the jobs which can be completed by the various groups and hence reduce the chances of cases of uncompleted jobs after time runs out.
Another factor that necessitates consultation with relevant groups is the allocation of resources. In any firm, resources are limited and hence they must be utilized wisely. The consultation gives the manager knowledge of the resources required and the amount. This reduces chances of resource insufficiency or over allocation of resources. When the allocated resources are below the optimum level necessary for the completion of the job, it leads to strain in the job execution or complete failure.
Q2.
Although the resources essential to businesses vary depending on the type of business, there are particular resources that must be available for any business to succeed. Such resources are discussed below.
Financial resources
The heart of every business is financial stability. It is arguably one of the most important resources in any business. It concerns the ability of the company to fund its proposed plans. For instance, if the firm needs to purchase a new car, are there sufficient funds for the acquisition? Financial resources are measured in terms of the cash available at a given time and the amounts receivable over time.
Human resource
This is another resource that is required by every firm. Human resource is based on the availability of human skills necessary to complete certain jobs. Based on the nature of business and the activities that are done during the working hours, it defines the human resource requirements of the firm. This resource is greatly influenced by the availability of financial resources since it needs financing. The company identifies the skills necessary foe completions of seasonal or routine jobs, and if there doesn’t exist the required skills from within its employees, it hires new human resource for the purpose.
The other resource requirements are physical resources and the emotional resources. The physical resource covers the physical structures necessary at the workplace. E.g. Buildings, land space just to mention a few. On the other hand, the emotional resource is a resource that is required to give you the motivation to keep trying even when things are not going your way. In business, there are many challenges, and one may even feel like quitting. Emotional resource gives one support during such scenarios.
Q. 3
Sufficient resources are necessary for any successful business. Employees need resources to conduct their activities. If the required resources are not available, it leads to strain on the company. Depending on the importance of the missing resource, the company may face duration of strain or end up collapsing. A good manager should, for this reason, be able to identify the resource requirements clearly for the employees and avail them.
Activity 2
Operational plan is a valuable tool for the proper management of a business. One of the reasons why an operational plan is necessary is that; it clearly outlines the requirements. Since planning involves the identification of the necessary resources, a plan identifies the resources as well as where they can be obtained from. This ensures that there isn’t resource strain as well as proper management of the resources.
Another importance of an operational plan is that it identifies the most critical resources, without which the business would be impossible. This enables the manager to conduct long-term planning while avoiding the relevant risks. An operational plan also outlines how the available resources should be allocated and utilized. This reduces chances of improper allocation of resources or misuse.
Activity 3
Q1.
When allocating work, the important factors are time taken to complete the task and the quality of the work. The first thing to think of is, for this reason, the time available for the work. If there is a short deadline to the work, it is a good practice to allocate the work to an expert employee, probably one who has done similar tasks before. The manager should also look at the skills required to complete the work. The employee with the skills that match the job requirements should be allocated the task. Gender may also be a factor in some cases, depending upon the nature of work.
Q2.
When allocation works to an individual employee, you should consider the following:-
* Knowledge/ skills – for successful completion of the tasks assigned, ensure that you assign jobs based on skills. Do not allocate an employee a task that he/she has no idea about.
* Time available – the jobs with short deadlines should be assigned to employees known to deliver quality work within a short time limits.
* Clearly outline the deliverables – explain to the employee what you expect from the work
* Offer an action plan to the employee – this act as a guideline on hat the employee is supposed to done.
* Give the employee time to ask questions – respond the employee’s questions pertaining the job allocated. This ensures that the employee understands precisely what he/she is apparently required to do.
* Ensure that the work is supervised – to ensure that the work goes on as needed, ensure that there is a supervisor who oversees the job progress.
Q3.
Project plan can be used when allocating job to a group. The project plan outlines the work requirements in the block, by specifying the resources and necessary procedures generally. If the work is to be allocated to a group rather than individuals, project plan becomes useful.
Activity 4.
Q1.
Code of conducts a set of regulations, which defines how a person (employee) should act in his/her profession. The rules set the acceptable principles for the employees to follow. All the employees in a given work setup are required strictly to follow the code of conducts and forfeiture of which they face disciplinary actions. The code of conduct affects the work output since the employee must conduct business limited by the rules. For instance, the employee cannot do any business that violates the code of conduct.
Q2.
Work outputs are usually defined by the action plan. It is, for this reason, important to cross check the workout with the action plan or project plan. The ideas in this case it to check if the work output complies with the expected output. The supervisor should check for quality of the work and timeliness. It is also important to verify the resource utilization, to see if they have been adequately utilized.
Activity 5
Performance management process is critical to any successful business. It is necessary for various management processes outlined below:-
Planning
The first step in implementing a business project is to plan accordingly. Performance management process involves identification of the activities that will be taking process in the enterprise cycle. This enables planning, in term of the necessary resources for the completion of the project.
Monitoring of the project
Monitoring of the project is paramount for any successful project. It involves regular checks to ensure that the project progresses in the right direction. Performance system enables the supervisors identify the specifically required deliverables at certain stages of the project cycle.
Rewarding
To keep the employees motivation high, rewarding is encouraged. Performance system helps in identifying the deliverables that need to be rewarded. For instance, it specifies what achievements should be expected at each stage of the project, and hence it can be cross check with the actual outcomes.
Q2.
Measuring of performance of individual employees or group is vital for the assessment of the project progress. It gives ideas on how the resources have been utilized in the project. The effectiveness of the resources is also determined through this process and in case it is not effective, alternative resource be implemented.
Activity 6
Contingency planning is a process of preparing in advance, to handle a future event that will likely impact your business. In most cases, the impact is perceived as negative, e.g. Decline in customer base. However, the impact can also be active, such as an enormous order for a given product by your client.
Contingency plan id important in a business, since it enables the business remains ready for the future event. The business in response identifies an alternative option or a countermeasure, to ensure that the happening does not affect the company negatively.
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