1. Establish a substantive understanding of strategic people-management techniques across differing settings and contexts, and apply them within your own organisation;

University Learning Outcome: Knowledge and Understanding, Learning

2. Evaluate theories of motivation, commitment and engagement and evaluate impact on organisational performance.

University Learning Outcome: Enquiry, Analysis

3. Critically assess key diversity and inclusion challenges affecting your organisation and recommend solutions

University Learning Outcome: Problem solving, Application

4. Critically assess the complex, uncertain contexts in which senior leaders operate and the impact to stakeholders.

University Learning Outcome: Reflection, Communication

As part of this module, you will submit a single, integrated assessment that combines a work-based report with naturally occurring evidence from your day-to-day role.
Work-based Report (3500 words- 100 %) –
Analyse your organisation’s approach to the strategic management of people, capability and culture.
Your discussion must:
* Compare and evaluate strategic people management models and frameworks.
* evaluate motivation, commitment and engagement strategies and their impact on performance.
* diagnose critical equality, diversity and inclusion issues, recommending strategic and sustainable solutions.
assess the complexity in which organisations and Senior Leaders operate and the impact to stakeholders.
Work-product Evidence (appendix)
To illustrate how you embed these concepts in practice, your report must be accompanied by naturally occurring work-product evidence. Acceptable evidence may include, but is not limited to:
* Extracts from workforce/capability plans, skills matrices, training and succession plans
* Coaching and feedback notes
* Continuing development records
* Presentations and proposals
The purpose is to demonstrate authentic application; materials should be drawn from your normal responsibilities rather than created solely for assessment. The supporting evidence will not be graded.

The assessment addresses Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4

This module explores how leaders build and sustain a high-performing workforce. You will investigate strategic people management and capability planning and evaluate the impact of motivation and engagement strategies on organisational performance. You will diagnose diversity and inclusion challenges within your own context focusing on embedding EDI legislation and the role of ethical leadership in building an inclusive culture. Classroom debate is balanced with workplace application so that concepts are tested in live settings and the results reflected upon.

Key themes include:
* strategic approaches to managing workforce motivation and capability
* the influence of internal and external environments
* theories of motivation, commitment and engagement culture, diversity and inclusion—diagnosis and intervention
* managerial ideologies across sectors and contexts

Learning within this module maps to the following Sustainable Development Goals:
* 4 Quality Education
* 5 Gender Equality
* 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
* 10 Reduced Inequalities

Learning within this module maps to the following principles of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:
* Fair and ethical leadership
* Embedding EDI considerations in strategic policy and resource allocation
* Creating flexible structures that recognise diverse needs

By the end of the module participants will be able to evaluate critically the contribution of people-management practice to organisational success, apply appropriate talent and culture frameworks, and demonstrate how responsible leadership can improve performance within their own context.

Delivery follows the blended pattern adopted across the Executive MBA:

*Face-to-face sessions – group work, formal teaching, case-study analysis and guest speakers; participants share workplace experience to enrich peer learning.
* Online live webinars – tutorials featuring discussion, flipped-classroom tasks, further case work and student presentations.
* Guided independent study – additional online content (videos, presentations), independent reading, formative tasks, assessment preparation and evidence gathering.

Armstrong, M. (2024)¿Armstrong’s handbook of strategic human resource management¿: improve business performance through strategic people management. 8th edn. Kogan Page.

Buchanan, D.A. and Huczynski, A.A. (2023) Organisational behaviour. 11th edn. Harlow: Pearson.

Wilkinson, A., Dundon, T. and Yates, E. (eds.) (2025) Contemporary human resource management: text and cases. 7th edn. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

Schein, E.H. and Schein, P. (2019) Organizational culture and leadership. 5th edn. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley

Sparkman, R. (2025)¿Strategic workforce planning: developing optimized talent strategies for future growth. 2nd edt. London, Kogan Page.

Journals: Journal of Management Studies, Journal of Business Research, Strategic Organisation, Strategic Management Journal, Global Strategy Journal, Journal of Global Strategic Management
Harvard Business Review: www.hbr.org
McKinsey: https://www.mckinsey.com/
Deloitte: https://www2.deloitte.com