Assessment Task - JUNE 2022

Module Title IS/IT CHANGE MANAGEMENT Module Code GTUM40EKM

Assessment title INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT Assessment No Cw2
Module Leader Dr. STEPHEN ASUNKA Tutor

LO’s Module learning outcomes covered by this task (from the Module descriptor)
1 Assess the need for change within the organization and propose appropriate tactics and
strategies with particular reference to the IS and IT applications and projects
2 Evaluate a range of possible solutions to address a sizeable practical commercial IS/IT problem and
present a soundly reasoned justification for the final recommendation.
3 Play an active role in the formulation of a corporate IS/IT change strategy that will contribute to the
achievement of business objectives.
4

Guidelines and background to the assessment

Hand in date TBA Assessment type Case Study

Course Work II: Individual Written Assignment

Case Title:
The Perils and Pitfalls of Leading Change - A Young Manager's Turnaround
Journey (Gates & Riederer, 2013)

(Download the full case from the course page in Moodle)

Case Synopsis:
After early successes in a very selective management-training program, Daniel Oliveira, a young
manager for Brazilian fashion chain Clothes & Accessories, is thrown into the deep end of the
pool by being reassigned to a region lagging in sales. Early on, Oliveira discovers that his store,
located in the mid-sized Vitoria in southeastern Brazil, is in trouble. As soon as he tries to make
changes, however, he meets with resistance from long-term employees. The case details his
pitfalls and growing awareness of the complexities of leading a diverse workforce and managing
change.

This case examines some of the difficulties that can arise when a well-equipped but young
manager is charged with turning around performance at a dysfunctional organization.
Turnarounds are all about change, and this case shows the fallout that can occur when leaders
do not achieve broad buy-in for their changes at the start. It is also important to think about how
Oliveira's manager, Francisco Prado, handled Oliveira's apparent "failure" and whether he clearly
communicated his expectations for the new manager.

Additional Reading
1. Kotter, J. P. (2001). What leaders really do. Harvard Business Review
2. Kotter, J. P. (2007). Leading Change. Why transformation efforts fail. Harvard Business
Review, pp 92-107
3. Jones, J., Aguirre, D. & Calderone, M. (2004). 10 Principles of Change Management: Tools
and techniques to help companies transform quickly. Strategy+Business Magazine

Assignment Questions (20 marks each):

Study the case carefully and answer the following questions
1. Based on your understanding of the case, determine if the Management of Clothes &
Accessories made the right decision by assigning David Oliveira the job of a change agent.
Explain your reasoning from a Change Management perspective. (Hint: read Kotter, 2001)

2. Critique Oliveira's approach to leading the turnaround process. (Hint: read Kotter, 2007)

3. Internet based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems are technologies being adopted
by many organisations to improve processes and gain competitive advantage. Discuss how
an ERP can play a role in Oliveira's change efforts, and recommend a best practice approach
for the implementation of an ERP at Clothes & Accessories, that the new manager can adopt
to help bring about the needed change.

4. It is reported in the case that each time Oliveira introduced some new policies at the various
departments of the store, staff members implemented these for about a week and then
reverted to their old ways. This might be attributable, in part, to the organisation's work
culture. Suggest any IS/IT based change management strategies that Oliveira should adopt
to bring about the appropriate changes in corporate culture alongside the changes he is
implementing.

Requirements:
Study the case carefully and write an academic article answering all 4 questions listed above.
Your report should include the following:
• Title Page containing your name, ID, Module and Date
• Abstract or Executive Summary
• 1.5 or double line spacing, maximum 2,500 words
• 11 or 12 point fonts for the body of all text; titles may be larger
• All pages numbered
• Support all arguments and assertions with credible sources, particularly those provided as
required readings in this assignment
• Re-read and check spelling and grammar
• Provide in-text referencing and also list all references (i.e. all sources that you picked
information from) at the bottom of the article (NB: Use the CU Harvard Referencing Style)
• Submit your works individually, group submission is not allowed
• Submit your work through Turnitin on the course page in Moodle (no need to submit a hard
copy)
• Your article will be assessed based on the assessment criteria and grading rubric provided
below.
 Criteria for Assessment (See details below)

Reflection, critical Knowledge and Evidence of Referencing & Presentation, grammar and
analysis and understanding reading bibliography spelling
discussion (30% weighting) (10% (5% weighting) (5% weighting)
(50% weighting) weighting)

How to pass this Module

In order to pass this assessment task, you need to achieve a minimum grade of 40%:
• ensure that you have fully met all the learning outcomes and tasks as detailed in this “Assessment
Task” brief
• submit all the work required by the given deadline
• submit a copy of your work through Turnitin.
Before you submit your work, we strongly recommended that you check to ensure you have answered all of
the questions and that you have met all of the learning outcomes.

For penalties on plagiarism please refer to GTUC Regulations.

Important University assessment rules for you to note

You need to submit your assessment task on the submission date noted above. If you do not submit your
assessment task by the submission date and have not requested and received an approved extension or
deferral, you will fail the Module. Any extension or deferral request must have been approved prior to the
deadline for submission.
 GTUM40EKM, IS/IT Change Management - June 2022
Marking Scheme for CW 2 - Individual Written Assignment

Fail Satisfactory Good Very Good Excellent

Criteria %
(0 - 39) (40 - 49) (50 - 59) (60 - 69) (70 - 100)

ABSTRACT/ Background information Fairly acceptable background Clear presentation of background Very clear and accurate
INTRODUCTION / Abstract or Introduction absent inaccurate and vaguely information. Purpose well- information. Purpose very well- background information and 10
presented. Purpose neither stated articulated articulated and convincing Purpose clearly articulated and
BACKGROUND
nor implied well-focused.
Student provides unsatisfactory Student provides a satisfactory Student provides a satisfactory Student provides a satisfactory Student provides a satisfactory
response, provides little or no response, and provides at least 2 response, and offers at least 3 response, and offers at least 3 response, offers several reasons,
QUESTION 1 explanation appropriate reasons to explain appropriate reasons to explain appropriate reasons supported by and excellently supports their 20
their position their position appropriate Change Management reasoning with appropriate
models to explain their position Change Management models
Student offers little or no Student discusses at least one of Student discusses at least two of Student discusses at least two of Student discusses at least two of
reasonable critique of Oliveira's Oliveira's strategies and offers a Oliveira's strategies and offers a Oliveira's strategies and offers a Oliveira's strategies and offers an
QUESTION 2 approach satisfactory critique fairly good critique very good critique outstanding critique supported by 20
references to appropriate change
management literature
Student fails to mention an Student discusses at least 2 Student discusses at least 2 Student discusses at least 3 Student discusses at least 3
appropriate role ERP can play, appropriate roles an ERP can appropriate roles an ERP can appropriate roles an ERP can appropriate roles an ERP can
offers no, or inappropriate play in the change efforts, play in the change efforts, play in the change efforts, play in the change efforts,
QUESTION 3 recommendation recommends satisfactory recommends good workable recommends good workable recommends good workable 20
strategies for ERP strategies for ERP strategies for ERP strategies for ERP
implementation implementation implementation implementation drawing on
change management literature.
Student fails to mention Student satisfactorily discusses at Student satisfactorily discusses at Student excellently discusses at Student excellently discusses at
appropriate change management least 2 appropriate change least 3 appropriate and workable least 3 appropriate and workable least 3 appropriate and workable
strategies that Oliveira should management strategies that change management strategies change management strategies change management strategies 20
QUESTION 4
adopt Oliveira should adopt that Oliveira should adopt that Oliveira should adopt that Oliveira should adopt and
supports this with appropriate
change management literature.
Very poorly organized, contains Fairly acceptable presentation Presentation acceptable, no Well-structured presentation Outstanding presentation,
obvious spelling and and structure, grammar, spelling obvious errors but might have using correct grammar and logically structured, using
QUALITY OF grammatical errors, difficult to and referencing satisfactory some information placed spelling, acceptable referencing, correct grammar and spelling,
WRITING, follow. Poor or no referencing. acceptable. Some plagiarism inappropriately, contains and adherence to the CU Harvard excellent quality referencing, and 10
REFERENCING Contains appreciable plagiarised evident irrelevant graphics, minimal referencing style. No evidence of adherence to the CU Harvard
ETC material referencing, not fully adhering to plagiarism referencing style. No evidence of
the CU Harvard style. Some plagiarism
plagiarism evident