What content should be covered in the project proposal, presentation with questioning for the Operations or Departmental Manager standard?

A project proposal, presentation and questioning involves the apprentice completing a relevant and defined piece of work that has a real business benefit.

The proposal will be a detailed project implementation proposal that will enable the project to be fully implemented. The project does not need to be fully implemented during the EPA period.

The project proposal must be detailed enough to enable the project to be fully implemented. The implementation of the project proposal must begin during the EPA period and allow S1.2, S2.1, S2.2 and S3.1 to be assessed, but it does not need to be complete before the assessment.

Apprentices will conduct a project proposal either paper-based or electronically. The project proposal may be based on any of the following:

• The need to review and implement a change plan to improve efficiency within the workplace.

• The continuous improvement review of a current process, service or product to ensure it is still fit for purpose and meets the current needs of the business.

• The need to implement a direct saving (e.g. percentage decrease in direct costs, reduction in headcount) across their team, department or organisation following a forecast activity.

The list above is not exhaustive.

The project proposal will be 4,000 words (+/- 10% at the apprentice’s discretion) including tables, graphs, and figures, though excluding references and annexes. To ensure it is robust and sufficiently covers the KSBs, it should include:

• an executive summary.

• an introduction.

• the scope of the proposed project (including key performance indicators).

• objectives.

• a project plan (including Gantt charts, risk/issue/mitigation, responsibility assignment matrix (RACI matrix)).

• how the proposed project outcomes will be achieved.

• comment on the validity of the methods of analysis, data interpretation and data presentation used.

• financial budgeting and resources.

• proposed implementation plan including communications and stakeholder plans.

• advise whether an alternative approach might be considered.

• advise upon whether it could be completed in a more cost or time-efficient manner.

• recommendations and conclusions.

The presentation will focus on the project proposal and will cover the following:

• Operational management such as business tools, management systems, identifying and overcoming barriers, identifying opportunities and interpretation of data.

• Project management such as using tools and techniques to plan and deliver outcomes, and approaches to identifying and managing risks.

• Finance such as monitoring budgets and financial implications.

• Leading people and supporting the management of change.

• Building relationships.

• Communication skills.

• Managing self, such as prioritising activities and time management.

• Decision-making and using evaluation techniques to support the process.

• Progress of the implementation of the project proposal to date.

The End-Point Assessor will then draw out any further information using questions.