WM198-15 Introduction to Organisations
Introductory description
To gain competitive advantage, organisations need "T" people - stakeholders who have both a broad skill set and specific expertise. Apprentices can become "T" people by broadening their understanding of organisations. Exposing apprentices to organisational theories and concepts, we enable them to develop skills in areas including management, solution delivery, and leadership. This module explores key themes in business by examining management and leadership theories, while equipping apprentices with the insights and practical skills needed to navigate today’s organizational landscape.
Module aims
Organisations increasingly depend on technology to achieve and maintain commercial success. The business environment in which they operate is complex and dynamic, requiring technical apprentices to develop a broad base of knowledge and the ability to engage effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders. Businesses vary widely in size and legal structure, from sole traders to multinational corporations, and they exist to deliver products and services in competitive markets.
This module aims to provide apprentices with a foundational vocabulary and practical skills in requirements management and strategic business change. It fosters an understanding of the constraints and demands of working within both technological and business contexts. Innovation is examined as a key driver of organisational transformation, and the module introduces strategies for leveraging digital technologies to gain competitive advantage.
Apprentices will explore the significance of effective management and leadership in identifying business needs, processes, and roles. They will begin to develop systems thinking to address organisational challenges and will analyse how inputs are transformed into outputs across different business models. Through this exploration, apprentices will gain the ability to identify the key roles and systems involved in organisational change. They will apply business analysis techniques and engage with basic risk assessment, ultimately formulating well-researched, sustainable approaches to delivering strategic business change.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Innovation drives business change. The module begins from this perspective and offers themes including:
Organisations, Strategy and Management
Introduction to Business Concepts
Management, Leadership and Culture
Value Chain Introduction
Change Management
Stakeholder Analysis
Concepts will be introduced and exercises used to reinforce the practical application of key ideas.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Analyse organizational use of digital technology to gain operational advantage considering sustainable approaches in organizations. [(AHEP: C4, C8, C12, C14) (CITP 2.1.3, 2.1.6, 2.1.8)]
- Identify different roles and options involved in the development and implemention of digital solutions. [(AHEP4, C12) (CITP: 2.2.6, 2.3.2 )]
- Demonstrate understanding of the risks and opportunities related to the implementation an information system solution. [(AHEP: C4, C6, C11, C12) (CITP 2.1.6, 2.1.7, 2.1.8, 2.1.10, 2.2.3, 2.2.6, 2.3.2)]
- Apply business concepts to recommend options for enhanced workplace practies in the leadership and management context. [(AHEP: C4, C5, C6, C11) (CITP 2.1.4, 2.1.3. 2.2.6, 2.3.2)]
- Apply relevant organizational theories and research to digital technology solutions using strategic change principles. [(AHEP: C4, C5, C12, C14) (CITP 2.1.4, 2.1.6, 2.2.6, 2.3.2)]
Indicative reading list
Reading lists can be found in Talis
Specific reading list for the module
Subject specific skills
S1: Analyse a business problem to identify the role of digital and technology solutions.
S3: Analyse a business problem in order to specify an appropriate digital and technology solution.
S7: Work effectively within teams, leading on appropriate digital technology solution activities.
S8: Apply relevant organisational theories. For example, change management principles, marketing approaches, strategic practice, and IT service management to a digital and technology solutions project.
S13: Report effectively to colleagues and stakeholders using the appropriate language and style, to meet the needs of the audience concerned.
S15: Apply relevant legal, ethical, social and professional standards to a digital and technology solution.
Transferable skills
Communication skills; Concise presentation of data; Requirements elicitation;Task sequencing; role recognition; Estimating the risks and opportunities of digital and technology solutions; management techniques and theories; teamworking; robust research; stakeholder communication
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 21 sessions of 1 hour (14%) |
| Seminars | 9 sessions of 1 hour (6%) |
| Work-based learning | (0%) |
| Online learning (independent) | 10 sessions of 1 hour (7%) |
| Private study | 50 hours (33%) |
| Assessment | 60 hours (40%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
Private study will include preparing for lectures and seminars, reviewing lecture notes, and engaging with required readings and multimedia resources. Independent learning will be provided on Moodle, where students will find suggested readings, multimedia, and activities to enhance their understanding of the topic.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group D
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Continuous Diagnostic Portfolio (Written) | 40% | 24 hours | Yes (extension) |
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This assessment is an individual diagnostic portfolio designed to evidence students’ understanding of how organisations use digital technology, how digital solutions are developed and implemented, and the associated risks, opportunities, and organisational implications. Across the module, students engage with organisational case material and complete structured analytical tasks that contribute to a consolidated portfolio submission. The assessment emphasises diagnostic judgement, evidence-based reasoning, and application of organisational theory and strategic change principles. |
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| Individual Professional Interview | 60% | 36 hours | No |
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This assessment is an individual professional interview designed to assess students’ ability to analyse and explain how organisations use digital technology, how digital solutions are developed and implemented, and the associated risks, opportunities, and organisational implications. |
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Assessment group R2
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Continuous Diagnostic Portfolio (Written) | 40% | No | |
|
This assessment is an individual professional discussion in which students demonstrate their understanding of how organisations use digital technology, how digital solutions are developed and implemented, and the risks, opportunities, and organisational implications of digital change. Students are assessed through a structured live discussion based on a previously studied organisational case. The discussion focuses on analysis, justification, and professional judgement, rather than prepared content delivery. The discussion follows a fixed structure and set of prompts mapped directly to the approved learning outcomes. Students are required to articulate how digital technology supports operational advantage, identify relevant roles and implementation options, evaluate risks and opportunities, and apply organisational theory using strategic change principles. The professional discussion is recorded for audit purposes only. It is not a presentation and does not involve slides or prepared scripts. Assessment is based on students’ ability to reason, prioritise, and respond to questioning in a professional context. |
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| Individual Professional Discussion (40%) | 60% | Yes (extension) | |
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This assessment is an individual professional interview designed to assess students’ ability to analyse and explain how organisations use digital technology, how digital solutions are developed and implemented, and the associated risks, opportunities, and organisational implications. |
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Feedback on assessment
Feedback will be given as appropriate to the assessment type:
- Verbal individual and group feedback during lectures, seminar sessions, and on in class assessments
- Written and verbal cohort-level feedback on in-class activites
- Written and verbal cohort-level feedback on coursework assessments
- Written individual summative feedback on the standard matrices relevant to the in-class and post module assessments respectively.
Courses
This module is Core for:
- Year 1 of DWMS-H655 Undergraduate Digital and Technology Solutions (Cyber) (Degree Apprenticeship)
- Year 1 of DWMS-H652 Undergraduate Digital and Technology Solutions (Data Analytics) (Degree Apprenticeship)
- Year 1 of DWMS-H653 Undergraduate Digital and Technology Solutions (Network Engineering) (Degree Apprenticeship)
- Year 1 of DWMS-H654 Undergraduate Digital and Technology Solutions (Software Engineering) (Degree Apprenticeship)