This module enables learners to apply their knowledge and skills to a real-world challenge within their workplace by designing and implementing a project that delivers measurable impact. Learners will identify a business need or opportunity, plan and execute a work-based intervention, and evaluate its outcomes. The module fosters critical thinking, project management, stakeholder engagement, and reflective practice, encouraging learners to drive improvement and add tangible value to their organisation.

This module is designed to contribute to the development of all Behaviours listed within the apprenticeship
standard, and the following Knowledge and Skills for Operations Managers:

Duty 4 Manage and influence activities and projects within budget and resources to deliver change
and continuous improvement.
* K7: Financial management techniques and implications of decisions for budgets.
* K9: Project management tools and techniques.
* K17: Change management concepts and methods for implementing change within the organisation.
* S2: Identify problems and provide solutions.
* S5: Manage and influence project activity to deliver within budget and resource requirements.
* S8: Use digital tools to analyse information and monitor performance and budgets to drive the implementation and delivery of plans and projects.
* S12: Manage continuous improvement and change for their team and organisation

Duty 3 Analyse, interpret and cascade data to enable tracking, trend analysis and metric reporting
to enable decision making for managing objectives and targets.
* K1: Presentation skills and methods.
* K8: How to identify and manage organisational improvement opportunities.

Learning within this module maps to the following Sustainable Development Goals:
* 4: Quality Education
* 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
* 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Learning within this module maps to the following Fundamental British Values:
* Democracy
* Rule of law
* Individual liberty
* Mutual respect
* Tolerance

Learning within this module maps to the following principles of Safeguarding:
* Creating a safe and inclusive environment
* Identifying and managing risks
* Promoting British values and preventing radicalisation
* Safeguarding and supporting individuals
* Adapting to change and supporting well-being

Learning within this module maps to the following principles of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:
* Promoting inclusive workplaces
* Fair and ethical leadership
* Flexibility for different needs

For this module, you are required to produce a 1500-word proposal outlining an issue or opportunity in your
workplace and how you plan to address this to achieve measurable impact. This should meet learning outcome 4. Work-based projects can span a wide range of categories depending on the organisational context and objectives. Common project categories include process improvement, such as streamlining workflows or reducing inefficiencies; digital transformation, involving the implementation of new systems or tools; and customer experience, focusing on enhancing service delivery or feedback mechanisms. Other areas may include employee engagement and development through initiatives like coaching programmes or internal communications; sustainability projects aimed at reducing environmental impact; and health, safety, and wellbeing improvements. Projects may also address diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), cost efficiency, marketing and communications, and quality assurance—each offering opportunities to deliver measurable impact and add value to the organisation.

Your 1500-word reflection should offer a clear and structured overview of the entire experience, from conception to completion. This reflection should meet learning outcome 2. The reflection should explore how the project was planned and prepared, including how you identified the need or opportunity, engaged stakeholders, and developed a structured approach using relevant tools or frameworks. A focus on challenges encountered, how they were overcome, and how collaboration and adaptability played a role should feature. The reflection should also evaluate the outcomes, highlighting the impact made, whether objectives were achieved, and evidence of success. A significant part should focus on your personal learning and development, discussing new skills gained, the application of theoretical knowledge, and insights into your own strengths and areas for growth. The reflection should conclude with a summary of the project’s overall value to the organisation and its influence on your future professional approach.

Work product evidence may include business case documentation, timelines, and stakeholder analysis, as well as records of stakeholder engagement such as meeting minutes, emails, and feedback summaries. Implementation evidence could involve action plans, task logs, Gantt charts, and examples of developed tools or resources. Supporting materials like presentations, guides, or screenshots further illustrate your contributions. Data and metrics—such as before-and-after comparisons, survey results, or performance indicators—can provide measurable evidence of impact. Feedback from stakeholders or users, along with testimonials, adds qualitative insight. Closure documentation such as lessons learned log, final reports or evaluations, along with risk or issue logs and communication records, help demonstrate project management skills and the ability to deliver a successful outcome. This work product evidence should meet learning outcomes 1 and 3.

This module will be delivered through a combination of face-to-face on campus sessions and online webinars, designed to provide an engaging and interactive learning experience:
* Face-to-face teaching: Sessions will incorporate group work, formal teaching, case study analysis, and
guest speakers. Apprentices will also be encouraged to share their workplace experiences to enhance
peer learning.
* Online webinars: These will take the form of recorded content, interactive e-learning, or live tutorials,
offering opportunities for group discussion, presentations, flipped-classroom activities, further group
work, and case study analysis.

Additional learning activities include:
* Engaging with supplementary online content, including videos and presentations
* Independent reading to reinforce and expand on formal teaching
* Completing formative tasks set by the tutor to consolidate learning
* Preparing for assessments, writing, and gathering evidence
* Developing and maintaining a portfolio

In line with DfE Apprenticeship Funding Rules, this module includes 144 off-the-job (OTJ) training hours as standard, covering new learning funded by the apprenticeship levy. A total 400 nominal learning hours has been attributed to this module, incorporating OTJ training alongside broader academic development beyond levy-funded new learning.

Please refer to your Aptem account to identify your individualised off-the-job hours.

1. Critically analyse and interpret data to track progress, identify trends and create actionable metric reports, demonstrating the ability to support informed decision-making for managing objectives and targets.
OM Apprenticeship Standard: K9 and S8
University Learning Outcome: Analysis, Application

2. Critically evaluate budget and resource constraints to effectively deliver change initiatives and promote continuous improvement.
OM Apprenticeship Standard: K7 and S5
University Learning Outcome: Learning, Problem Solving

3. Design and manage projects that contribute to the achievement of organisational sustainability goals, ensuring alignment with environmental, social, and economic priorities.
OM Apprenticeship Standard: K8 and S12
University Learning Outcome: Application

4. Develop and implement resource plans that align with organisational objectives, considering future needs and the impact of changing requirements on project outcomes.
OM Apprenticeship Standard: K1, K17 and S2
University Learning Outcome: Application, Reflection

* Computer facilities to access online materials
* Access to specialist online databases, appropriate core texts and journals via the library, module leader and own research.

Books:

* Huemann, M. and Turner, R. (2024) The Handbook of Project Management. 6th ed. Oxford: Taylor &
Francis Group. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003274179.
* Bainey, K. (2024) AI-Driven project management¿: harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and
ChatGPT to achieve peak productivity and success. Newark: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.
* Cottafava, D. et al. (2024) Sustainable management of transnational megaprojects. 1st edn. Oxford:
Routledge. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032685618.

Audio:
* Portny, S.E., Stanley E. and Yen, J. (2020) ‘Project management all-in-one for dummies’. Old Saybrook,
CT: Tantor Audio.

Video:
* Skillshub Ltd. (2024) Project management. [First edition]. Birmingham, United Kingdom: Packt
Publishing.

Pathway texts:
* Fyall, A. et al. (2022) Managing Visitor Attractions. Third edition. Oxford: Routledge. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003041948.
* Rengel Jara, E.V., Babb, J.W. and Flohr, T.M. (2019) ‘Status and scope of project management in the
hospitality industry’, International hospitality review, 33(2), pp. 142–149. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1108/IHR-09-2019-0016.
* Frederico, G.F. (2021) ‘Project Management for Supply Chains 4.0: A conceptual framework proposal
based on PMBOK methodology’, Operations management research, 14(3–4), pp. 434–450. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12063-021-00204-0.
* Takagi, N. et al. (2024) ‘Managing success criteria and success factors in a BPM project: an approach
using PRINCE2 and Success Management on the public sector’, Cogent business & management, 11(1).
Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2336273.

The module is typically open to those enrolled on the Operations Manager Higher Apprenticeship programme.

The module is also open to those who wish to undertake this as a standalone module; those candidates should be currently in working towards an operations manager position.

This module equips you with the competencies to effectively manage projects in diverse organisational contexts.
You will learn how to analyse and interpret data to support decision-making, manage resources and budgets,and lead projects that drive change and continuous improvement. Emphasis will be placed on strategic resource planning to meet future organisational needs and on aligning project activities with sustainability goals. By the end of the module, you will deliver impactful projects that balance efficiency, innovation, and ethical responsibility.