PLANNING & MANAGING RESOURCES’ REPORT ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINE FOR STUDENTS
(Nov-Dec 2020 Block)
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1. TITLE PAGE: In the Arden Assessment cover page, under the Assessment Title, students
should indicate that this is a Report
NOTE: This assignment must be written in the third person and should display good-to-excellent
ability to write academically. In completing the assignment, students are advised to avoid using
the first-person expression such as; ‘I’. This is because pronouns should be generally avoided in
academic writing i.e., avoid the use of “I, Me, We, Us”. Also pay attention to requirement to discuss
certain terminologies related to PMR as well as general keywords useful in demonstrating at this
level of study – e.g.; analysis, discussion, synthesis and application.
2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
Students are expected to add a table of content showing what is covered and page numbers
3. INTRODUCTION:
This should explain what the assignment is about and mention the main concepts discussed
within the body of the assignment. This part should use up not more than 5% of the total
word count. The introduction could include definitions of keywords/concepts relevant to the
assignment as well as citations/references.
4.BODY OF THE REPORT: Use the case study provided to attempt questions 1 & 2
Question 1a: Discuss how you may utilise the concepts of resource planning to address the
funding crisis in PHE, for the best service users’ outcome.
Note: To discuss question 1a effectively, students are advised to consider the following:
• A continuous reference to the case-study and the environment in which health and social
care settings operate in the UK. For instance, the demand for certain services, health
and/or social care policies, current climate, BREXIT, Covid-19, etc.
a. First, Discuss the funding crisis in PHE
b. Discuss the concepts of resource planning (a minimum of 3 concepts) which may include:
(PESTEL & SWOT analysis, Budgeting, Costing) etc., and explain how these concepts could
be used to address the funding crisis in PHE, in order to achieve the best service user
outcomes.
c. Explore the importance of effective planning that takes into consideration: what you are
trying to do? how you are going to do it? and, what you will need in order to achieve it?
And always relate to Public Health England (PHE) in your discussion
d. Students could also discuss how the funding crisis in PHE could be avoided in the future,
and funding systems made more efficient and effective. (Higher Mark)
‘PLANNING & MANAGING RESOURCES’ REPORT ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINE FOR STUDENTS
(Nov-Dec 2020 Block)
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e. Student may clearly show planning skills while critically discussing at least 3 concepts of
resource management that will help to address the funding crisis in PHE. They should also
demonstrate good budgeting skills by describing the budget process which include: review
of previous performance, setting the goal, identify income, identify expenditure and
approval, for the best service users’ outcome-(Higher mark).
Question 1b: Analyse at least three different sources of funding you may explore in other to
effectively deal with the funding crisis the PHE faces.
Note: To discuss question 1b effectively, students are advised to consider the following:
a. Resources are central to the management process: they are in limited supply but, are the
means to attain goals and meet demands of service users and other important
stakeholders.
b. Examine various sources of funding (at least 3) for (PHE) e.g., Taxation, (Public), Private,
the ‘Third Sector’ (Voluntary)- Charitable donations can come from members of the
public, from national lotteries and from business sponsors, sales of assets and lease-back,
the use of derivatives, and discuss how these sources may help to deal with the funding
crisis in PHE and why?
c. Identify the factors that may affect an organisation’s ability to raise or free-up funds and
resources to effectively deal with the funding crisis in PHE e.g., current political climate,
policies, etc.- give reasons for the choices identified.
• This list above is not exhaustive, and students may wish to explore other ideas not
mentioned above.
d. Students may also critically analyse 3 sources of income, explaining what role they will
play to help to deal with the funding crisis in PHE, for the best service users’ outcome-
(Higher mark)
Question 2: Discuss the role of project management and how it could contribute to the
effective resource management process in relation to short-, medium- and long-term funding
requirements in PHE.
Note: To discuss question 2 effectively, students are advised to consider the following:
e. Introduction to Project Management and discussion of the role of Project Management
in effective resources management in the short-, medium- or long-term funding
‘PLANNING & MANAGING RESOURCES’ REPORT ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINE FOR STUDENTS
(Nov-Dec 2020 Block)
3
requirements, including its impacts. Give example of a project you can undertake for
PHE with ‘table’ of plan for budgeting/costing
f. Discuss accountability and responsibility in relation to the appropriate use of resources
during the project. Students should show understanding of the relationship between the
management of resources and the performance of PHE. They should also discuss
financial control and risk and factors that influence decision making in managing
available resources.
g. Explore broad performance measures/tools used by organisations; e.g appraisals, Key
Performance Indicators (KPI’s), benchmarking to monitor performance.
h. Discuss the impact effective resource management has in supporting performance in
PHE e.g.; you could explore the relationship between effective resources management
and the performance of staff, the team and PHE in general.
i. The impact of demand and supply, funding challenges, budgetary restrictions in the
current fiscal & political climate on the organisation’s expansion strategy.
j. Explore potential risks & risk management strategies that will be useful in the process
to effectively deal with the funding crisis in PHE e.g., financial risk etc.
• This list above is not exhaustive, and students may wish to explore other ideas not
mentioned above.
k. In order to gain a higher mark, students should critically discuss the role of project
management, and how it could be effective in the management of available resources in
PHE in the short-, medium- and long-term funding requirements, including its impacts,
considering the concepts of financial risk, accountability, financial control and risk and
also, factors that influence decision making in managing the available resources
effectively- (Higher mark)
Thank you and Good luck.
