2. Looking to draw a conclusion and influence change.. Why do research ?

3.  Literature- It helps you clarify your understanding of the core concepts  Considers the background of your research question  Collects and analyses data  Conclude findings  Make a business case for change

4.  the key findings of business research  the point at which you answer the research question set  the point at which you show you understand the implications of research findings

5.  Focused Conclusions should answer the research question by drawing on the key issues  Valid Claims need to be supported by evidence and derived from the research  Substantial Conclusions should draw out the salient features in a robust way

6.  Convincing Arguments need to build in a logical and ‘evidenced’ manner  Coherent Arguments should be themed and the connections between themes made clear  Informed Conclusions should be derived from the research findings and informed by the academic literature

7. captures the reasoning for initiating a project or task

8.  Cost benefit analysis-a method to appraise a change –will there be cost savings/will benefits out way the costs?  Resource analysis- what resources are not fully utilised? What resources do we have?  Critical success factors- what is necessary for an organisation or system to succeed

9. Compare the total costs and total benefits values.  If the total costs are much greater than the total benefits, one can conclude that the project is not a worthwhile investment of company time and resources.  If total costs and total benefits are roughly equal to one another, it is best to re-evaluate the costs and benefits identified and revise the cost benefit analysis.  If the total benefits are much greater than the total costs, one can conclude that the proposed action is potentially a worthwhile investment and should be further evaluated as a realistic opportunity.

10.  Capital expenditure- software  Time taken to complete activities  Training time  Sundry costs- postage, stationary etc

11.  For high spend projects this may be undertaken using investment appraisal techniques such  NPV- net present value  ARR – Accounting rate of return  IRR- internal rate of return  Which calculates the worth and ‘payback’ time of a project

12.  What can be shared?  Is technology available?  Are skills and knowledge sufficient?  Do systems need to be updated?  Implications of legislation N.B. Staff are considered a resource however money is not (as it is used to pay for transactions)

13.  What does an organisation /system need to achieve in order to realise its mission ?  Why are you making a change?  What are your objectives? ( these should be SMART)

14.  CSF example CSF example Critical Success Factors are the areas of your business or project that are absolutely essential to its success. By identifying and communicating these CSFs, you can help ensure your business or project is well-focused and avoid wasting effort and resources on less important areas. By making CSFs explicit and communicating them with everyone involved, you can help keep the business and project on track towards common aims and goals.

15.  Implementing an IT system…  User engagement and use of the system  (performance indicators would be a management target of how many users there are)

16.  Candidates should evaluate the conclusions drawn from a research study - this may be one that relates to an organisation they are familiar with or one identified in a published research study.  The extent to which these conclusions can be developed into practical recommendations should be identified and discussed.

17.  Read the Megatrends report on the workplace produced by CIPD.  Identify at least one trend/conclusion that the study makes  Comment on the data presented and make a suitable recommendation for change  Identify the critical success factors that you would use to determine the success of the recommendation

18.  Present this as an A4 sheet or power point slide to share with group- Please e-mail to me prior to 5pm.  Attached reading on CSF  Amanda.Williams@gllm.ac.uk