Assignment Brief

As part of the formal assessment for the programme you are required to submit a Relationship Management assignment. Please refer to your Student Handbook for full details of the programme assessment scheme and general information on preparing and submitting assignments.

Learning Outcomes:

After completing the module you should be able to:
1. Critically analyse stakeholders within the decision-making process.
2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of leadership in the management of stakeholder relationships.
3. Critically evaluate key theories in risk management.
4. Evaluate the nature and management structures of organisations.
5. Demonstrate a critical awareness of self and others actions when managing relationships.
6. Critically evaluate budgeting processes and resource allocation.
7. Undertake critical analysis and reach reasoned and evidenced decisions, contribute problem-solving skills to find and innovate in solutions.

Your assignment should include: a title page containing your student number, the module name, the submission deadline and a word count; the appendices if relevant; and a reference list in Arden University (AU) Harvard format. You should address all the elements of the assignment task listed below. Please note that tutors will use the assessment criteria set out below in assessing your work.

Maximum word count: 4000 words

Please note that exceeding the word count by over 10% will result in a reduction in grade by the same percentage that the word count is exceeded

 

Assignment Task
Relationship management has been widely recognised as one of the key business activities ensuring competitive advantage through mutually beneficial collaboration between an organisation and its stakeholders. Performed at both customer and business levels, relationship management aims at building long term trust and loyalty towards company and its products or services. A key duty of a relationship manager is in leading and facilitating effective stakeholder engagement in a way that delivers value to all the parties involved.

This assignment allows you to demonstrate proficiency in relationship management. You are expected to apply theories and concepts learnt from this module to developing an effective and efficient relationship management strategy. Your analysis must also be guided by the state-of-the-art in the following disciplines:
• Risk management
• Stakeholder management
• Leadership and HR management
• Communication management
• Budgeting and resource allocation

For an organisation of your choice, provide a Relationship Management Report. Max grade: 80% of the module final grade
Task 1 (20% approx. 800 words LO1)
Using an established model, conduct an analysis of three key company stakeholders. Include the following components:
• Description of all major stakeholders by type.
• Statement of value each stakeholder derives from the relationship with the
company.
• Discussion of past experience with each of the stated stakeholders and
identification of specific issues associated with their engagement.

 

Task 2 (30% approx. 1200 words LO1, 3, 4)
Describe three typical conflicts of interest that may arise amongst the stakeholders identified in task 1. In each case, evaluate approaches for conflict resolution and conflict minimisation.
Task 3 (25% approx. 1000 words L3, L6)
Evaluate three critical risks that may impact upon stakeholder engagement to include a risk mitigation strategy and details on how resource and budget allocations may be adjusted as part of risk management.
Task 4 (25% approx. 1000 words L4, L1, L2)
Evaluate the communication and leadership strategy that is employed to facilitateeffective relationships with the stakeholders identified in task 1. Ensure that you link the strategies employed to established literature to help to demonstrate the value.

 

Submitting your work:
Once you have completed your written report it will need to be submitted via the
“Submit Report” link in the assessments tab on the module page.
Formative Feedback
You have the opportunity to submit a one page summary of this report to receive
formative feedback.
The feedback is designed to help you develop areas of your work and it helps you
develop your skills as an independent learner.
Your work must be sent to the tutor by email two weeks prior to the report due date.
This is to allow time for you to reflect on the feedback and draft your final submission.
Formative feedback will not be given to work submitted after the above date.

 

Guidelines
You MUST underpin your analysis and evaluation of the key issues with appropriate
and wide ranging academic research and ensure this is referenced using the AU
Harvard system. The My Study Skills Area contains the following useful resources:
Guide to Harvard Referencing
http://moodle.bl.rdi.co.uk/guides/HarvardRef/AU_Harvard_Quick_Ref_Guide.pdf
Guide to Harvard Citation
http://moodle.bl.rdi.co.uk/guides/HarvardRef/AU_Guide_to_Harvard_Citation.pdf
You must use the AU Harvard Referencing method in your assignment.
Additional notes:
Students are