CC Music Consultancy Report–Operations Management

OaIM Assignment: “CC Music” Consultancy Report – Operations and Information Management

OaIM Assignment: “CC Music” Consultancy Report

Assessment Brief June 2018

Module Title Operations and Information Management
CRN
Level Masters Level
Assessment title
Information Management Report

Assignment Brief

As Case Study: CC Music

Chris and Clive are both former music and music technology teachers who have recently taken early retirement. However, they have a long history of playing in bands and being session musicians, therefore they intend to remain busy. A Northern Soul band that they have worked with for many years, touring around the North West of England, will now become their focus. Chris and Clive have always managed all aspects of the band (studio work, playing at events, parties, TV and radio programmes). They publicise the band via a website, deal with all booking arrangements over the phone, and receive contracts and cheque payments through the post. The other six band members simply turn up and play. The band has always played at least twelve gigs a year, but this is likely to increase substantially now that they can commit more time to networking and promotions. As such, they will be required to take a much more professional approach. In addition, several other bands have asked if they will represent them for an agreed fee. As a professional route, this would mean considerable time working as music agents to promote other artists.

Chris and Clive are aware that starting the agency would require a business approach. They would be responsible for; social media marketing, keeping business accounts, providing an updated calendar of events, and keeping track of the communications between themselves, the clients who want to book bands, and the bands who are signed to CC Music.

They realise that technology will play an important part in the business. They have read about Customer Relationship Management software and Enterprise Resource Management software, but just don’t know what kind of information technology support they really need as a small to medium enterprise (SME). They require professional business information technology advice before they can make any final decisions about investing funds in business software. Also, they are very keen on the potential of Open Source Software to keep the cost to a minimum.

Growing CC Music into a full-time small business is also of interest to younger family members who want to be involved. Chris has a daughter and Clive has a niece, both of whom are keen to support the business and potentially manage the business in the future. They have all agreed to run the business in a democratic style and, as such, everyone will have an equal vote on any business decisions. Therefore, CC Music requires a report that can be read and understood by all of them. You are the OIM consultant who is responsible for researching this business and providing a consultancy report.

Task details and instructions

Your Task

You are a consultant who has been employed to advise CC Music on the effective implementation of strategic changes. You are required to produce the following:

Part A:Analysis – Business Process Models and strategy analysis

In this section you should develop

1. A series of at least two Business Process Models to capture the existing and your proposed business processes for CC Music. The models should follow the BPMN notation (see for example, http://www.omg.org/bpmn/Documents/Introduction_to_BPMN.pdf). It is recommended that you use Microsoft Visio or similar software to create the models, although you may if you prefer use Word, PowerPoint or appropriate alternatives.
2. Strategic analysis for CC Music. You should use at least one recognised analysis technique such as SWOT, PESTLE etc

Part B: Open Source Software Comparison Table

In this section, you should conduct research into a suitable software solution for CC Music. You should decide on the set of characteristics which you will use to evaluate the software, and your research should consider 4-5 alternatives in detail. This section should be presented as a table.

Part C: Report

In this section, you should write a report which provides an overview of the current situation for CC Music together with a roadmap outlining how the proposed changes to the business can be achieved to the benefit of the business. This should draw on your analysis in Part A, include your recommendation for software in Part B, and provide recommendations for ensuring that the strategy is effectively implemented, including consideration of the challenges ahead.

This section, should follow a standard report structure:

Introduction – Executive summary, Literature review – Main findings and clear road map and strategy – Conclusions and Recommendations

Part D: Reflection on your contribution to the online discussion

In this section you should submit a 250 word reflective summary, accompanied by your own self-assessment of your contribution to the online elements throughout the module, using the table labelled Reflection Self-Assessment Pro forma in Appendix A (copy and paste it into your assignment document) to show your performance. The reflective report should include your detailed reflection, supported with evidence (pasted URLs) from the online discussion, detailed below:

You should use appropriate theories, frameworks, models, that we have covered in the module, to inform and justify your recommendations.

Word count

Section Content Word Count Marks
Part A Analysis – Business Process Models and strategy analysis 1000 (equivalent to) 30
Part B Open Source Software Comparison Table 500 (equivalent to) 20
Part C Report 1250 40
Part D Reflection on your contribution to the online discussion 250 10
Total 3000 100

      ASSESSMENT INSTRUCTIONS

The word count is 3,000 words (+/- 10%). You will also need to take the following into account when completing your assignment:

Quality of executive summary (does it give a brief complete summary of your paper for an executive to read?)
Brief but clear and Introduction
Comprehensive literature review. Evaluation and synthesis of source material to produce an outstanding contribution.
Establishment of relevant theory and ensure that all materials used is cited and referenced as per Harvard Referencing System 06th edition.
Clarity of argument
Overall report presentation including spelling and grammar
Adherence to nominated word limit
Word processed (letter size 12, times new roman, 1.5 space), fully referenced (Harvard Referencing System).
Outstanding clarity of focus, includes what is important, and excludes irrelevant issues.
Well structured, compelling and persuasive argument that leads to a valuable contribution to the field of study, paving the way for future work.
Avoid description, think more about application
Your answer should be written as a report, with headings and sub-headings.

Appendix A: Reflection Self-Assessment Proforma

 80+ 70-79   60-69   50-59   40-49   0-40

Quality of contributions Made several good contributions and one or more outstanding contribution. Made several good contributions. Made a few good contributions Made a few valid contributions Made 1 or 2 postings, of poor quality Did not contribute.
Attribution of references Clear referencing of well-chosen and highly relevant sources Clear referencing of all sources, some relevant. Clear referencing of all sources. Sources generally referenced. Used ideas/ words of others without attribution. Cut and paste or absent contributions.
Evidence of collaboration/ facilitation skills Skill shown in weaving contributions into the discussions, and following up on contributions of others. Skill shown in weaving contributions into discussion, or following up on contributions of others Some evidence of links to contributions of others. Basic recognition of contributions of others. Little or no recognition of contributions of others. None
Reflection on online contributions (in reflective summary) Deep reflection shown, with clear and substantial evidence from online discussion Good reflection, with clear evidence from online discussion Reflection and evidence offered, limitations in one of these Reflection and evidence offered, limitations in both of these Superficial reflection, very limited evidence Very little or no reflection/evidence.

The word count is 3,000 words (+/- 10%). You will also need to take the following into account when completing your assignment:
• Quality of executive summary (does it give a brief complete summary of your paper for an executive to read?)
• Brief but clear and Introduction
• Comprehensive literature review. Evaluation and synthesis of source material to produce an outstanding contribution.
• Establishment of relevant theory and ensure that all materials used is cited and referenced as per Harvard Referencing System 06th edition.
• Clarity of argument
• Overall report presentation including spelling and grammar
• Adherence to the nominated word limit
• Word-processed (letter size 12, times new roman, 1.5 space), fully referenced (Harvard Referencing System).
• Outstanding clarity of focus includes what is important, and excludes irrelevant issues.
• Well structured, compelling and persuasive argument that leads to a valuable contribution to the field of study, paving the way for future work.
• Avoid description, think more about the application
• Your answer should be written as a report, with headings and sub-headings.