BUSINESS OPERATIONS | OTHM Level 4 OTHM Level 4 Diploma in Business Management Assignment Briefs Qualification Number: 610/0763/8 | June 2024 Assessment guidance for criterion referenced marking. The assessment grading criteria characterises the level of complexity and demand expected of students at each level of qualification. Please note that these are generic descriptors which apply mainly, though not exclusively, to written academic work.
Any further unit-specific assessment criteria, such as number of words, should be clearly stated in each individual assignment brief.
Result.
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
Level 7
Pass
Detailed answers to all parts of the questions or tasks.
Clearly structured and focused, demonstrating overall coherence and
in-depth understanding of the unit content and assessment requirements.
Detailed response to all relevant parts of the questions or tasks, with evidence of clear understanding of the issues.
Well-structured with evidence of independent reading supporting the argument.
Very full, independent response to the assignment, applying relevant material well beyond any module input, demonstrating independent study.
Excellent understanding and application of relevant theory, concepts and models. Very clear logical structure.
Excellent links between relevant ideas, theories and practice.
Evidence of independent learning and the ability to engage critically and analytically with a wide range of contextually relevant resource material.
The work demonstrates engagement in an academic debate which presents clear evidence of a considered understanding of the topics studied.
There is evidence of clear synthesis of theoretical issues and practice.
Evidence of the use of independently sourced material, well applied in all contexts.
Clear evidence of a range of independently sourced material, well applied in all contexts.
Very few errors in referencing or grammar or syntax as appropriate.
Demonstration of original insights supported by well-structured overall argument.
A critical analysis of theoretical models and/or practical applications has resulted in originality.
Very few errors in grammar as appropriate.
Very few errors in referencing or grammar or syntax as appropriate.
Very few errors in referencing or grammar or syntax as appropriate.
Very few errors in referencing or grammar or syntax as appropriate.
Result.
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
Level 7
Refer
Little attempt to engage with assignment brief.
Learning outcomes not fully met.
Inadequate demonstration of knowledge or understanding of key concepts, theories or practice.
Little attempt to engage with assignment brief.
Learning outcomes not fully met.
Inadequate demonstration of knowledge or understanding of key concepts, theories or practice.
Little attempt to engage with assignment brief.
Learning outcomes not fully met.
Inadequate demonstration of knowledge or understanding of key concepts, theories or practice.
Little attempt to engage with assignment brief.
Learning outcomes not fully met.
Inadequate demonstration of knowledge or understanding of key concepts, theories or practice.
Whilst some of the characteristics of a pass have been demonstrated, the work does not address each of the outcomes for the specified assessment task.
The work may be an overly descriptive account demonstrating minimal interpretation, and there is very limited evidence of analysis, synthesis or evaluation.
No counterarguments or alternative frames of reference are generated or considered.
Qualification Structure OTHM Level 4 Diploma in Business Management | Qualification Number: 610/0763/8
The OTHM Level 4 Diploma in Business Management consists of 6 mandatory units for a combined total of 120 credits, 1200 hours Total Qualification Time (TQT) and 600 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) for the completed qualification.
All units are mandatory.
Unit Ref. No.
Unit Title
Level
Credit
GLH
TQT
H/650/1099
Academic Writing and Research Skills
4
20
100
200
L/650/1145
Business Operations
4
20
100
200
M/650/1146
Communication in Business
4
20
100
200
R/650/1147
Finance and Accounting
4
20
100
200
T/650/1148
Leading and Managing Teams
4
20
100
200
Y/650/1149
Operating in a Global Context
4
20
100
200
Centre Assessment Guidance Centres are advised to follow the assessment guidance and methods set out by OTHM qualifications within the specification and this document, if a centre wishes to devise their assessment methods then this first must be provided to OTHM Qualifications, prior to implementation.
The Assessor should decide when the learner is suitably prepared to undertake the assessment and issue the Assignment. Once learners have been issued with an assignment, it is essential they work independently to produce and prepare their evidence for assessment.
Before commencing an assessment, the Assessor should take care to ensure each learner understands:
the assessment requirements the nature of the evidence they need to produce the importance of time management and meeting deadlines the importance of submitting authentic work Assessing Unit Content Assessors are expected to assess evidence submitted by learners to determine that the work is suitable in meeting the assessment criteria and provide learners with appropriate feedback.
Centre assessors mark the assignments against the predefined learning outcomes and assessment criteria in the specification.
To achieve this unit, learners must achieve the learning outcomes and meet the standards specified by all assessment criteria for the unit.
For the unit Finance and Accounting, learners will need to be supplied with a range of financial statements / accounts for a business. These can be downloaded by the tutor from the Internet. Assessment Tracking and Recording Learner Progress It is necessary to track and record learner achievement throughout the delivery period of the OTHM Extended Level 4 Diploma and this should not be left until the end of the course.
This will include regular review of learner work through formative and summative assessment and internal quality assurance at planned intervals during the programme:
before decisions have been made on any unit sampling evidence once one or two of the units or assignments are completed Tracking learner progress, recording the achievement of each learner per criteria on a unit-by-unit basis ensures:
the assessment evidence is clearly measured against national standards learner progress is accurately tracked the assessment process can be reliably verified evidence is valid, authentic and reliable for the safety of certification identification of which assessments are outstanding internal verification is timely samples for standards verification and other external audits can be made available as required up to date, securely stored assessment records help to minimise the risk of assessment malpractice and potential issues; maintaining the integrity of the qualification. Tutors/Assessors should provide learners with formative and summative feedback to aid development during their studies.
Formative Assessment
Summative Assessment
used during the learning process
used at the end of the learning process
provides feedback on learning-in-process
evaluates achievement against learning outcomes and assessment criteria
dialogue-based, ungraded
graded Pass / Refer
Assessor Authentication Every member of staff involved in the internal verification of controlled assessment must ensure that each piece of assessed work can be authenticated with confidence as being the work of the learner who submits it. The assessor and IQA must sign a declaration after the work has been completed confirming that the work was completed under the required conditions.
Learner Task Guidance The assessment for this qualification comprises assignment based tasks, to be completed at the end of the period of learning.
The tasks will cover all learning outcomes and assessment criteria within the unit. The tasks are necessary to map and claim knowledge and competence.
You are expected to include citations and references in your academic work and you should follow the Harvard referencing style.
You must use relevant academic and reliable sources.
The Indicative Content in the specification is not prescriptive or exhaustive but is intended to provide helpful guidance to teachers and learners, with the key areas that will be covered within the unit and relating to the kinds of evidence that should be provided for each assessment objective specific to the unit learning outcomes
Learners are expected to adhere to the word count, provided as a range within the question text. A 10% leeway either side of this range is permitted before the assessor is instructed to stop reading any further.
There is no formal time limit for the completion of the tasks, besides that of the validity of assessment materials.
Learners will be required to sign a statement of authenticity, confirming all evidence provided is their own.
As well as the content your tutor/assessor will be scrutinising the following aspects:
Plagiarism and collusion
Critical writing, style
Sentence structure
Grammar, punctuation
Argument, setting out
Presentation of findings and conclusion
Referencing and citation
The tasks are marked by an Internal Assessor and verified.
Learners who fail to achieve the required Pass mark are permitted to re-sit after having sufficient teaching and additional study time.
BUSINESS OPERATIONS Unit Reference Number
L/650/1145
Unit Title
Business Operations
Unit Level
4
Number of Credits
20
Total Qualification Time (TQT)
200 hours
Guided Learning Hours (GLH)
100 hours
Mandatory / Optional
Mandatory
Task Grading Type
Pass / Refer
Unit Aims Even though businesses are different in many ways, they do have some common features and are influenced by similar factors. This unit’s aim is to provide learners with the underpinning knowledge to contextualise and examine the fundamental factors which influence how a business operates within the context of its internal and external environment.
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
Learning Outcome – The learner will:
Assessment Criterion – The learner can:
- Understand different types of businesses.
1.1 Explain the different types of business sectors.
1.2 Compare different types of businesses.
1.3 Compare different legal structures of businesses.
1.4 Illustrate how the type and structure of a business relates to its market and objectives.
- Understand the relationships between business functions.
2.1 Explain the purpose of different functions of a business.
2.2 Explain the relationship between the different functions of a business.
2.3 Compare different organisational structures.
2.4 Suggest how functional relationships impact on how an organisation is structured.
- Be able to measure a business’s internal environment.
3.1 Explain what is meant by the term ‘internal environment of a business.’
3.2 Explain why it is important to measure a business’s internal environment.
3.3 Apply a technique to quantify a business’s internal environment.
3.4 Assess a business’s internal environment.
- Be able to measure a business’s external environment.
4.1 Explain what is meant by the term ‘external environment of a business.’
4.2 Explain why it is important to measure a business’s external environment.
4.3 Apply a technique to quantify a business’s external environment.
4.4 Assess a business’s external environment.
Unit Title Business Operations
Task 1 of 3
Unit Learning Outcome
Assessment Criteria
LO 1 Understand different types of businesses.
1.1, 1.2, 1.3 1.4
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Using an organisation you are familiar with, write an essay in which you:
establish the business sector in which it operates having first considered the different types of business sectors.
establish the type of business and its legal structure having first considered the different types and legal structures available to a business.
consider how the business’ type and structure relates to the sector and markets in which it operates.
Delivery and Submission
The submission is in the form of an essay written in Word format.
The recommended word limit is 500 words excluding diagrams, references, and appendices.
Referencing
You are expected to use relevant academic and reliable sources, and clearly reference these in your work.
References should be added to the text and placed at the end in a references list, using Harvard Referencing style.
Unit Title Business Operations
Task 2 of 3
Unit Learning Outcome
Assessment Criteria
LO 2 Understand the relationships between business functions.
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Using the same organisation for Task 1, write an essay in which you:
consider the different functions of the business. explain how these functions work together to achieve the business’ aims, produce an organisation structure of the business showing the relationships between these functions, consider why the business is structured in this way based on the size and importance of its different functions. Delivery and Submission
The submission is in the form of an essay written in Word format.
The recommended word limit is 750 words excluding diagrams, references, and appendices.
Referencing
You are expected to use relevant academic and reliable sources, and clearly reference these in your work.
References should be added to the text and placed at the end in a references list, using Harvard Referencing style.
Unit Title Business Operations
Task 3 of 3
Unit Learning Outcomes
Assessment Criteria
LO 3 Be able to measure a business’s internal environment.
3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
LO 4 Be able to measure a business’s external environment.
4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Using the same organisation you used for Task 1 and Task 2, write an essay in which you:
consider the concepts of a business’ internal and external environments.
consider importance of measuring a business’ internal and external environment.
use appropriate techniques to analyse the business’ internal and external environment.
Once the environmental analysis has taken place you are to consider the impact of these environments on the ability of the business to conduct its operations and achieve its goals.
Delivery and Submission
The submission is in the form of an essay written in Word format.
The recommended word limit is 1750 words excluding diagrams, references, and appendices.
Referencing
You are expected to use relevant academic and reliable sources, and clearly reference these in your work.
References should be added to the text and placed at the end in a references list, using Harvard Referencing style.
