Content

Most organisations operate within a regulatory and legal framework that require them to be stringent in terms of monitoring and measuring their performance in terms of quality, financial, and ensure consistent and constant productivity. This requires the organisational leadership to take active responsibility in facilitating strategic planning linked to performance management to ensure the key result areas and performance indicators are being met. Not only is managing performance is about the team and organisation, but it is also about the individual and team behaviours and meeting the agreed to expectations.

In this unit, students will be introduced to several performance management theories and models. They will explore program and organisational evaluation as a function of management. They will also explore various approaches to performance improvement in their organisations considering ethical standards, and where relevant theological or spiritual insights. They will gain insights from theoretical and practical approaches to behavioural performance management as well as results (outcome) performance management. The various approaches will cover process and outcome evaluations, quality management, and quality improvement processes.

The students will develop critical evaluative skills and knowledge, as well as conflict management skills and practical approaches to performance management. They will be able to develop their confidence to deal with tough situations, problem-solve complex issues and lead individuals, teams and organisations to reach higher performance levels.

Module A – Performance Improvement and Management Theories. Module B – Performance Evaluations Practical Considerations. Module C – Organisational, Team and Individual Performance. Module D – Behaviours verses Results (Performance). Module E – Managing Performance and Quality. Module F – Designing and Implementing Performance Management Initiatives.

Unit code: LE9009Z

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Leadership

Delivery Mode: Blended

Proposing College: School of Professional Practice - Leadership

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Learning outcomes

1.

Discuss the various approaches to performance improvement theories, models and methodologies in different organisational contexts and complexity levels

2.

Appraise the role and importance of performance evaluation as a function of management in a range of contexts and challenges

3.

Create a plan to monitor and evaluate service delivery functions of an organisation to enhance efficiency and effectiveness

4.

Evaluate performance management approaches around current and emerging trends in light of ethical considerations, and where it is relevant spiritual or theological insights in a real-world situation

5.

Formulate and implement effective performance management practices to create a positive culture and working environment and meet the organisational strategic performance objectives

Unit sequence

This is an elective unit in the Graduate Certificate in (Transformational) Leadership, Graduate Diploma in Leadership and Master of Leadership

Pedagogy

All learning material including video lectures and practitioner interviews are accessible on the Learning Management System asynchronously. The learning material are divided up in six modules with specific topics in each module. Students will need to attend a weekly webinar on a weeknight to engage with the tutor and discuss the learning material and assessments. The students will also need to attend two intensive days on the second and fourth Saturdays of the Teaching Period that will be run as workshops to discuss the topics and engage with supplementary learning material and practical exercises and scenarios relevant to the topics of the unit.

Indicative Bibliography

Daniels, A.C. and Bailey, J.S. (2014). Performance Management: Changing Behavior that Drives Organizational Effectiveness. Performance Management Publications Poister, T.H., Aristigueta, M.P. and Hall, J.L. (2014). Managing and Measuring Performance in Public and Nonprofit Organizations: An Integrated Approach 2nd Edition. Jossey-Bass

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Forum - Discussion and Reflection Forum

A series of online discussion forums where students are set a task to research, or a video to watch, an interview to conduct, or an article to read. They will need to discuss what they have learned in 200 words. Then they are required to critically review two other student's forum posts by writing about 100 words.

1000 20.0
Case Study - Case Study Project

The students will critically analyse a specific organisational case study, determine the roles of management in the performance evaluation, and then construct a plan to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the service delivery in this organisation. They will present their projects both orally and in a written format.

2000 40.0
Critical Review - Critical Evaluation

The student will be asked to write a major piece of work that utilises their critical enquiry into the theory and practice of performance management in organisations taking into consideration ethical and strategic factors influencing the service delivery, then identify practices that will enhance organisational performance through constructive culture and supportive environment to achieve future organisational success.

2000 40.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 30 Oct, 2023

Unit record last updated: 2023-10-30 10:02:29 +1100